Leading the North-West University (NWU) delegation, Prof Sonia Swanepoel, acting deputy vice-chancellor for community engagement and Mahikeng Campus operations, launched a multi-sectoral collaboration community engagement project on 15 October 2021 at the Lokaleng village in Mahikeng.

The main aim of this project is to promote multi-sectoral and inter-faculty interventions in solving real-life community problems.

Though the launch focused on mental health and well-being, the project is not limited to only these issues, but also emphasises the importance that everyone work together in support of local communities.

"A university does not exist in isolation from society, nor from the communities in which they are located," said Prof Swanepoel during the launch.

 “We are an engaged university, and by mobilising and combining university knowledge and community experience, we can address social disadvantages and exclusion to promote the idea of a fair society.”

Various management members of the faculties Health Sciences and Natural and Agricultural Sciences attended and delivered inspiring messages during the event. They included Prof Awie Kotze, executive dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences, and Prof Rodney Medupe, deputy dean for community engagement and stakeholder relations in the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, who represented the faculty’s executive dean.

A representative from the South African Police Service and the National Lotteries Commission were also present.

Other festivities of the day included a play on mental health, tug of war games, and a traditional dance performance by a Lokaleng dance group

Prof Sonia Swanepoel, acting deputy vice-chancellor for community engagement and Mahikeng Campus operations, addresses the audience during the launch of the multi-sectoral collaboration community engagement project.

Executive dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences, Prof Awie Kotze.

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