Media and OCB Awards shine the spotlight on values and impact

by Willie du Plessis

Values are not only spoken about at the North-West University (NWU), they are lived and they are recognised. On 21 May, the university hosted its annual award ceremony to recognise staff and students who embody the spirit of excellence of the university at the Media and Organisational Citizenship Behaviour (OCB) Awards.

Now in its fourth year, the awards continue to celebrate those who step beyond expectations to act as true ambassadors of the NWU. The ceremony took place at the Roots function venue in Potchefstroom this year, where recipients across a range of categories were applauded for their contributions.

Peers nominated individuals and teams from across all three of the NWU campuses. The awards acknowledge those who featured prominently in the traditional and digital media or who have consistently and impactfully lived the values of the NWU throughout 2025. Each award comes with a trophy and a cash prize, underscoring the importance of each winner’s impact.

Prof. Mzubanzi Bismark Tyobeka, principal and vice-chancellor, says the theme of the evening, “Advancing the One NWU Spirit”, could not have been more fitting. “This is because great institutions are not built by policies, strategies, structures or buildings. Great institutions are built by people, employees, citizens or individuals who choose, every single day, to contribute beyond the minimum that is expected of them.”

He says the One NWU Spirit is not created in boardrooms. It is created in lecture halls, laboratories, residences, offices, libraries, sports fields, service points, corridors, parking areas and every front-line space where human beings interact with one another.

“That is why this year’s awards are particularly significant. We intentionally expanded the award categories because excellence does not reside only in senior offices or visible leadership positions. Excellence also lives on the front line of our university.”

And the 2026 award winners are:

  • The Social Media Personality Award (for exceptional contributions toward the public reputation of the NWU on social media platforms) went to Charles Seretlo (student).
  • Prof. Waldo Krugell received the Traditional Media Personality Award (for exceptional contributions in traditional media, including newspapers, television and radio).
  • Prof. Suranie Horn was the recipient of the Exceptional Media Coverage Award (for an upsurge in media exposure over a period of seven to 14 days).
  • The Social Responsibility and Awareness Advocate Award (for contributions relating to social rights responsibility and awareness) was given to Kgotatso More (student), Lebehang Bodigelo (student) and Prof. Chantel Muller (staff).
  • Sandile Mbizeni (student) and George Sibanyoni (staff) received the Diversity and Transformation Advocate Award. This award is for an exceptional contribution to the university relating to transformation and diversity concepts and initiatives.
  • The Eagle Service Excellence Award went to staff members Belinda Bantham, Ronel Benson, Linda Grimbeek, Tebogo Lebitse, Bernice Mackenzie, Johan Pyper and Tshediso Tom. The award recognises the outstanding contribution, dedication and service excellence by frontline and operational support staff whose work enables the smooth functioning, safety and well-being of the university community. This category intentionally includes employees in roles that are often behind the scenes but provide frontline mission-critical service to the NWU student and staff experience. 
  • The NWU Values in Action Award was awarded to two individuals and two teams from the NWU staff members. The first team comprised Hester Parkin, Luche Semeno and Safiya Waja and the second team consisted of Ana Barros, Kamogelo Mmatli and Lenet Raath. Bertie Jacobs and Keshni Scholtz individually received the award. This award is given to students and support staff teams whose demonstrated everyday behaviour that aligns with the values of the NWU and contributes positively to organisational culture, the student and staff experience and the reputation of the NWU.
  • Ana Barros, Kamogelo Mmatli and Lenet Raath also received the prestigious NWU Ambassador of the Year Award. This is presented to a recipient of one of the other awards and is regarded as the overall award.
  • Milton Nyamadzawo (executive director for People and Culture), Prof. Awie Kotze (executive dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences) and Etienne Mostert (director for Purchases and Payments) received the Vice-Chancellor’s Award. This discretionary award by the vice-chancellor is awarded to members of management who have made exceptional contributions towards achieving the strategy and values of the NWU.

 

Kamogelo Mmatli, Lenet Raath and Anna Barros (absent) received the prestigious NWU Ambassador of the Year Award. Ilse Beyers (middle) received the award on behalf of Anna.

Prof. Awie Kotze (executive dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences), Milton Nyamadzawo (executive director for People and Culture) and Etienne Mostert (director for Purchases and Payments) received the Vice-Chancellor’s Award. 

Watch the video of the event.

 

Click here for more photos of the event and the winners.

Submitted on