By Gosego Phutieagae
North-West University (NWU) alumnus Wilfred “Willy” Thahane studied transport economics and logistics at the NWU, and he had dreams of going places with his degree. Today, he runs a Pretoria-based luxury car rental business that caters to clients seeking more than just transportation.
“Tempus tuum adest – Your time has arrived.”
This powerful Latin phrase is not just a motto for Tshegofatso Ramokopeloa, it is the guiding principle of her life and career.
Born and raised in the heart of Mabeskraal village, Tshegofatso proudly identifies herself as ngwanyana wa Motlhako, the only daughter in a family of six siblings. Today, she is the proud mother of two beautiful daughters, an accomplished attorney and a revered traditional healer. Her journey embodies the true spirit of Heritage Month: a celebration of identity, roots and purpose.
One of South Africa’s most experienced news broadcasters, Tim Modise, returns to the place where his career started, Mahikeng, to deliver a public lecture on how the media have shaped cultural identify in democratic South Africa.
The lecture on 6 October is a collaboration between the Journalism Sub-programme of the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Indigenous Language Media in Africa (ILMA) research niche area and the Tim Modise Foundation.
The North-West University (NWU) recently hosted an exclusive alumni reunion at the prestigious Seven Villa Hotel & Spa in Sandton, Johannesburg – a gathering that transcended the traditional notion of reunions to become a powerful think tank on the future of finance, trade and logistics.
Organised by the NWU Alumni Relations Office in partnership with the schools of Accounting and Economic Sciences, the event convened distinguished alumni, top-tier industry executives and academic leaders for an evening of strategic dialogue, insight and high-impact networking.
The North-West University (NWU) continues to shape leaders who make an impact in education. Bongani Steven Dhlamini, an NWU postgraduate student, has been appointed as the new departmental head for Setswana and Creative Arts at the Gaetsho Secondary School in the Boikhutso Township in Lichtenburg.
Reflecting on the promotion, Bongani says: “This appointment as departmental head is a tremendous honour and a significant milestone in my career. It represents a culmination of my hard work, dedication to and passion for education.
In a sport defined by discipline, patience and relentless pursuit of perfection, Dr Fanie Roos has done what no Professional Golfers’ Association (PGA) professional has ever done before. He did not just break par, he broke barriers.
Dr Roos, a husband, father, coach and academic, has become the only PGA golf professional in South Africa to earn a PhD. It is a feat that blends two worlds rarely united: the high-performance intensity of elite golf and the deep analytical rigour of academic research.
North-West University (NWU) alumnus Andries van Heerden is the chief executive officer of Afrimat Limited, a JSE-listed company that supplies iron ore, anthracite, phosphate, construction materials and industrial minerals across Southern Africa.
“I started as a first-year mechanical engineering student in Potchefstroom in 1984,” he recalls. His studies took him to the NWU’s Vaal Campus, where he graduated in 1988.
Reflecting on his time at university, he says: “I think my dream to become a successful entrepreneur was really born during the two years in Vanderbijlpark.”
David Magae – a seasoned communicator whose career spans the broadcasting, local government and water utility sectors, is a proud alumnus of the North-West University (NWU). He is a leading voice in communication and public engagement, and an inspiring mentor to future professionals in the field.
Despite his many responsibilities as senior manager for communication and media relations at Magalies Water, David makes time for mentorship. “The mentors who took the time to shape and guide me made such an impact. That experience inspired me to pay it forward.”
Byline: Keaoleboga Motshabi
Bonolo “Miss Faith” Monaisa has transitioned from the student-run studios of NWU FM to the national platform of Motsweding FM, where she now serves as a content producer for SABC Educational Programmes.
Tanya Lerm never imagined herself in the aerospace sector. But nearly seven years after joining NewSpace Systems, she now leads it.
“Stepping into the role of CEO at NewSpace Systems has been one of the most significant moments of my career, both professionally and personally,” said Tanya, who holds a Bachelor of Engineering degree in Metallurgical Engineering from the North-West University (NWU). “It is a company I have grown with, a team I believe in, and an industry that never stops pushing boundaries.”