The North-West University (NWU) honoured ten remarkable professionals at its prestigious biennial Alumni Excellence Awards ceremony held in Pretoria on 30 October.
This year’s distinguished honourees include veteran South African actor Hans Strydom, World Cup cricket star Tazmin Brits, and health economist Prof James Avoka Asamani, among others.
Through the Alumni Excellence Awards, the NWU recognises exceptional alumni whose work is making a lasting impact in their respective fields and in society.
The 2025 honour roll features ten outstanding individuals from diverse spheres of influence. Among them are an educator and poet who champions Setswana literature, a visionary leader in business events, a community-focused innovator, a pioneer in positive organisational psychology and an international media strategist.
The Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Hans Strydom in recognition of his pioneering contributions to South African television and film, as well as his tireless advocacy for performers’ rights. Adv Dr Johan Kruger SC, former chairperson of the NWU Council, received a Special Award for his leadership during pivotal chapters in the history of the university.
The 2025 NWU Alumni Excellence Award recipients are:
- Adv Dr Johan Kruger SC – Special Award
- Lesego Motlhankane – Arts and Culture Award
- Taubie Tebogo Motlhabane – Business Leadership
- Dr Kutlwano Mukokomani – Community Involvement Award
- Prof James Avoka Asamani – Education Award
- Dr Boitumelo Semete-Makokotlela – Public Service Award
- Prof Ian Rothmann – Research Award
- Tazmin Brits – Sport Award
- Delmari van Zyl – Young Alumnus Award
- Hans Strydom – Lifetime Achievement Award
Now in its ninth year, the NWU Alumni Excellence Awards continue to celebrate the proud tradition of the university of producing leaders who drive change across disciplines. Previous recipients include some of South Africa’s most respected figures, such as Prof Kobus Eloff, Prof Anis Karodia, Judge Yvonne Mokgoro, Prof Mzubanzi, Bismark Tyobeka, Adv Andy Mothibi, Prof Pieter Stoker, Mr FW de Klerk, Judge Frans Kgomo, Prof Fika Janse van Rensburg and Prof TT Cloete, among others.
Prof. Mzubanzi Bismark Tyobeka, principal and vice-chancellor, says the legacy of the NWU is not written in stone, but in lives. “Tonight, we honour remarkable individuals and celebrate collective achievement. Each name we call reflects a commitment to the belief that knowledge must serve humanity, and that education carries an enduring duty to uplift others.”
Prof Tyobeka says every success story told serves as a clear demonstration that when one alumnus rises, the university itself ascends. “Our duty is to keep that ascent process continuous, to ensure that the light that once left our gates never dims, but rather grows brighter through each act of service, innovation and compassion. It is renewed whenever one of our graduates leads with integrity, creates with courage and serves with humility. May the North-West University continue to stand as a beacon of that light – rooted in scholarship and illuminated by the achievements of its people.”
For more information about the winners visit: https://www.nwu.ac.za/nwu-alumni/alumni-awards-recipients-2025
For a video of each recipient click here
Click here to view the photos
This year’s recipients of the NWU’s Alumni Excellence Awards are Dr Boitumelo Semete-Makokotlela (Public Service), Taubie Tebogo Motlhabane (Business Leadership), Hans Strydom (Lifetime Achievement Award), Adv. Dr Johan Kruger SC (Special Award), and Prof. James Avoka Asamani (Education). At the back are Dr Kutlwano Mukokomani (Community Involvement), Lesego Motlhankane (Arts and Culture), Prof. Ian Rothmann (Research), Zeldine Brits on behalf of Tazmin Brits (Sport), and Delmari van Zyl (Young Alumnus Award).
