1. Prof Dan Kgwadi
(53)
Vice-Chancellor and Principal
Qualifications: BScEd (University of North West), MSc (Physics) (Ball State University, USA), MPhil (Environmental Law and Management) (North-West University), PhD (Physics Education) (Potchefstroom University for Christian Higher Education (PU for CHE), PhD (Management – honoris causa) (Hanseo University, South Korea)
Membership of Council Committees:
All Council committees (except Audit, Risk and Compliance Committee – not a full member)
Term on Council:
Appointed for a four-year term from 2020 to 2024.
Currently two years and seven months into second term.
Number of committee meetings as council member and average attendance:
83 meetings | 75% attendance
Directorships: USAf
2. PROF L DU PLESSIS
(52)
Vice-Principal
Qualifications: PhD (Education), MSc (Computer Science), BScHons, BSc (PU for CHE), Certificate for Environmental Educators (Unisa), Leadership in Higher Education (Institute for Educational Management, Harvard), Certificate in ICT in Education for Policy Implementers (Wits, Oracle University)
Membership of Council Committees:
Council Exco
Term on Council:
Appointed in 2020 for a three- year term coinciding with her term as deputy vice-chancellor:
Assigned functions and Vanderbijlpark Campus Operations. Currently one year and five months into second term.
Number of committee meetings as council member and average attendance:
44 meetings | 100% attendance
Directorships: None
3. PROF HH JANSE VAN VUUREN
(57)
Elected by Senate
Qualifications: MCom (Accountancy), BComHons – CTA, BComHons (Cost and Management Accounting), BCom (Accounting) (NWU)
Council committee and total years of service:
Student Oversight Committee | Honorary Awards Committee | Social and Ethics Committee
Term on Council:
Appointed for a three-year term from 2021 to 2024.
Currently nine months into second term.
Number of committee meetings as council member and average attendance:
16 meetings | 94% attendance
Directorships: Vektor Electrical Services PTY LTD
4. PROF AF KOTZÉ
(56)
Elected by Senate
Qualifications: BPharm, MSc, PhD (NWU)
Council committee and total years of service:
Honorary Awards Committee | People and Culture and Employment Equity Committee | Medical School Task Team (as Executive Dean)
Term on Council:
Appointed for a three three-year term from 2019 to 2022.
Currently two years, 11 months into first term
Number of committee meetings as council member and average attendance:
13 meetings | 100% attendance
Directorships: Innovation Highway Enterprises | Hanks TB Diagnostics
6. PROF PA SMIT
(60)
Elected by academic staff members
Qualifications: PhD (Labour Relations Management)
Membership of Council Committees:
Not yet allocated at the end of 2021
Term on Council:
Appointed for a three-year term from 2021 to 2024.
Currently three months into first term.
Number of committee meetings as council member and average attendance:
1 meeting | 100% attendance
Directorships: None
7. PROF WJ DU PLESSIS
(42)
Elected by academic staff
members
Qualifications: BA in International Relations, LLB, LLD
Membership of Council Committees:
Transformation Oversight Committee | Social and Ethics Committee
Term on Council:
Appointed for a three-year term from 2021 to 2024.
Currently nine months into first term
Number of committee meetings as council member and average attendance:
6 meetings | 83% attendance
Directorships: None
8. PROF FM NKOANA
(59)
Elected by support staff members
Qualifications: BA in Administration
Council committee and total years of service:
People and Culture and Employment Equity Committee
Term on Council:
Appointed for a three-year term from 2019 to 2022.
Currently two years and nine months into first term.
Number of committee meetings as council member and average attendance:
7 meetings | 100% attendance
Directorships: None
10. MS T MOLEFI
(26)
Designated by the Student
Representative Council
Qualifications: Honours in International Relations.
Enrolled for Bachelor of Social Science
Membership of Council Committees:
Student Life Oversight Committee
Term on Council:
One month into one-year term.
Number of committee meetings as council member and average attendance:
No meetings were held after appointment in 2021.
Directorships: None
11. MR M MOTAUNG
(21)
Designated by the Student Representative Council
Qualifications: Enrolled for BEd Physical Science for Education
Membership of Council Committees:
Student Life Oversight Committee
Term on Council:
One month into one-year term.
Number of committee meetings as council member and average attendance:
No meetings were held after appointment in 2021.
Directorships: None
12. MS H POTGIETER
(22)
Designated by the Student Representative Council
Qualifications: Enrolled for LLB
Membership of Council Committees:
Student Life Oversight Committee
Term on Council:
One month into one-year term.
Number of committee meetings as council member and average attendance:
No meetings were held after appointment in 2021.
Directorships: None
13. MR OE MONGALE
(50)
Appointed by the Minister of
Higher Education, Science
and Innovation
Qualifications: Studying towards a Master's of Philosophy in Conflict Transformation, (Nelson Mandela University), PGDip in Management, Master's in Industrial Psychology (NWU), Honours in Industrial Psychology, Bachelor's in Administration (UniBo)
Membership of Council Committees:
Executive Committee | Tender Committee | Medical School Task Team | Extended Exco
Term on Council:
Appointed for a three-year term from 2020 to 2023.
Currently one year, three months into second term.
Number of committee meetings as council member and average attendance:
32 meetings | 88% attendance
Directorships: The Hub Farming Enterprise | Sego Programme and Project Managers | The Hub People Development Institute | Mochwa Investments | Bachen | Kehu Projects | Teki Project and Programme managers
14. ADV PG SELEKA
(47)
Appointed by the Minister of
Higher Education, Science
and Innovation
Qualifications: LLB
Membership of Council Committees:
Transformation Oversight Committee | Social and Ethics Committee
Term on Council:
Appointed for a three-year term from 2021 to 2024.
Currently four months into first term.
Number of committee meetings as council member and average attendance:
7 meetings | 71% attendance
Directorships: None
15. MR C MABE
(43)
Appointed by the Minister of
Higher Education, Science
and Innovation
Qualifications: BCom (University of North West), Dip AIBM (Finances), Diploma in Financial Management (Business Management Training College of Southern Africa), Certificate in Managing the Employment process (Unisa), MBA (NWU)
Membership of Council Committees:
Finance Committee | Remuneration Committee | Extended Exco
Term on Council:
Appointed for a three-year term from 2021 to 2024.
Currently four months into second term.
Number of committee meetings as council member and average attendance:
19 meetings | 100% attendance
Directorships: JEPA 321 (Pty) Ltd | JEPA Resources Trading Enterprise (Pty) Ltd | CM2510 (Pty) Ltd | Tapologo HIV and Aids Programme | NH2606 (Pty) Ltd | K2017228855 (South Africa) | Thapo Vision Group
16. MR TC KGOMO
(54)
Appointed by the Minister of
Higher Education, Science
and Innovation
Qualifications: BCom (University of North West)
Council committee and total years of service:
Tender Committee | People and Culture and Employment Equity Committee | Transformation Oversight Committee | Advisory Board for Innovation Highway Enterprises | Extended Exco
Term on Council:
Appointed for a three-year term from 2020 to 2023.
Currently one year, three months into third term.
Number of committee meetings as council member and average attendance:
18 meetings | 100% attendance
Directorships: Henjen Petroleum (Pty) Ltd | Tlhabanelo Trading Enterprises (Pty) Ltd | RR Travel (Pty) Ltd | Sky Chrome Mining (Pty) Ltd
17. MR MSJ THABETHE
(47)
Appointed by the Minister of
Higher Education, Science
and Innovation
Qualifications: National Diploma in Information Technology, BTech in Information Technology (TWR), MCom in Information Systems (University of the Witwatersrand)
Membership of Council Committees:
Audit, Risk and Compliance Committee | Technology and Information Governance Committee | Social and Ethics Committee | Advisory Board for Innovation Highway Enterprises | Extended Exco
Term on Council:
Appointed for a three-year term from 2020 to 2023.
Currently one year, three months into second term.
Number of committee meetings as council member and average attendance:
20 meetings | 100% attendance
Directorships: None, only shareholding
18. MR JDS DE BRUYN
(70)
Elected by the Board of
Donors
Qualifications: BCom (Accounting Science), BIuris, LLB (PU for CHE)
Council committee and total years of service:
Audit, Risk and Compliance Committee | Tender Committee | Senate
Term on Council:
Appointed for a three-year term from 2021 to 2024.
Currently six months into third term.
Number of committee meetings as council member and average attendance:
17 meetings | 82% attendance
Directorships: None
20. MS UAD BARRAVALLE
(38)
Elected by the Board of Donors
Qualifications: BSc (Chemistry and Biochemistry), BSc (Chemistry), (Hons) (RAU), LLB (Unisa)
Membership of Council Committees:
Executive Committee | Assets Committee
Term on Council:
Appointed for a three-year term from 2019 to 2022.
Currently two years and one month into first term.
Number of committee meetings as council member and average attendance:
10 meetings | 100% attendance
Directorships: DM Kisch Inc | Kisch Africa | Kisch Investments Limited
21. MR A SORGDRAGER
(62)
Elected by the Convocation
Qualifications: BIuris and LLB (PU for CHE), International Executive Programme (INSEAD Business School)
Membership of Council Committees:
Executive Committee | Audit, Risk and Compliance Committee | Investments Committee | Student Life Oversight Committee | Honorary Awards Committee | Remuneration Committee | Student Electoral Commission | Medical School Task Team | Extended Exco
Term on Council:
Appointed for a three-year term from 2020 to 2023.
Currently one year, five months into second term
Number of committee meetings as council member and average attendance:
49 meetings | 94% attendance
Directorships: Vaalrivier Steiltes Aandeleblok (Edms) Bpk | Florida Buitemuurs
24. ADV M KRUGER
(56)
Elected by the Convocation
Qualifications: B.Iuris, LLB
Membership of Council Committees:
Student Life Oversight Committee | Technology and Information Governance Committee
Term on Council:
Appointed for a three-year term from 2021 to 2024.
Currently four months into second term.
Number of committee meetings as council member and average attendance:
3 meetings | 100% attendance
Directorships: None
25. REV CANON DP DINKEBOGILE
(67)
From among the community leaders
Qualifications: Diploma in Theology (St Peter's College), Master's in Christian education (MACE) (USA-Virginia Theological Seminary)
Membership of Council Committees:
Executive Committee of Council (alternate member) | People and Culture and Employment Equity Committee | Student Life Oversight Committee | Remuneration Committee | Extended Exco
Term on Council:
Appointed for a three-year term from 2019 to 2022.
Currently two years and six months into second term.
Number of committee meetings as council member and average attendance:
21 meetings | 95% attendance
Directorships: Sharpeville Care of the Aged | Sharpeville Tshwaranang Trust
26. PASTOR PM TLHABANYANE
(58)
From among the community leaders
Qualifications: Dip PA, BPA, BAHons (Theology)
Membership of Council Committees:
Social and Ethics Committee
Term on Council:
Appointed for a three-year term from 2020 to 2023.
Currently one year and nine months into first term.
Number of committee meetings as council member and average attendance:
9 meetings | 100% attendance
Directorships: None
27. MS S BRITZ
(60)
From among the community leaders
Qualifications: Matric, NQF5 Real Estate
Membership of Council Committees:
Executive Committee (alternate member) | People and Culture and Employment Equity Committee
Term on Council:
Appointed for a three-year term from 2020 to 2023.
Currently one year and nine months into first term.
Number of committee meetings as council member and average attendance:
7 meetings | 86% attendance
Directorships: iDUC NPC | Tlokwe Crisis Centre
28. MS RA KENOSI
(50)
Appointed by Council for specific expertise
Qualifications: BComp Accounting, BComp Accounting (Hons), CA(SA)
Membership of Council Committees:
Executive committee (alternate member) | Audit, Risk and Compliance Committee | Finance Committee
Term on Council:
Appointed for a three-year term from 2021 to 2024.
Currently nine months into first term.
Number of committee meetings as council member and average attendance:
10 meetings | 100% attendance
Directorships: Anova Health Institute NPC | Bridging Concepts Financial Services (Pty) Ltd | Fraudsmiths (Pty) Ltd | Onderstepoort Biological Products (SOC) Ltd | K20132299696 SA (Pty) Ltd
29. DR MB TYOBEKA
(47)
Appointed by Council for specific expertise
Qualifications: BScEd and MSc (Applied Radiation Science and Technology) (University of North West), MSc and PhD (Nuclear Engineering) (Penn State University, USA), MSc (Management) (Colorado Technical University)
Membership of Council Committees:
Executive Committee | Finance Committee | Honorary Awards Committee | Remuneration Committee | Medical School Task Team | Extended Exco
Term on Council:
Appointed for a three-year term from 2020 to 2023.
Currently one year and one month into third term.
Number of committee meetings as council member and average attendance:
52 meetings | 98% attendance
Directorships: None
30. MR TV MOKGATLHA
(47)
Appointed by Council for specific expertise
Qualifications: BCom (Accounting) (NWU), HonsBCompt/Certificate of Theory in Accounting (CTA) (Unisa)
Membership of Council Committees:
Audit, Risk and Compliance Committee | Finance Committee | Assets Committee | Remuneration Committee | Extended Exco
Term on Council:
Appointed for a three-year term from 2019 to 2022.
Currently two years, six months into first term.
Number of committee meetings as council member and average attendance:
14 meetings | 86% attendance
Directorships: Yebo Yethu | Yebo Yethu Investment Company (RF) (Pty) Limited | Baphlane Siyanda Chrome Company | MTBG Investments | South African Blood Services NPC (SANBS) | Philasini | Baphalane Ba Mantserre Investment Holdings | Atonatic Trading | Stokfella | Baphalane Property Holdings | His Crown Apostolic Ministries | BBMIH Food | Hyprop Investment LTD | BBMIH Textile |BBMIH Manufacturing
Meet our Council members
(Council membership as at 31 December 2021)
13. MR OE MONGALE
(50)
Appointed by the Minister of
Higher Education, Science
and Innovation
Full bio
14. ADV PG SELEKA
(47)
Appointed by the Minister of
Higher Education, Science
and Innovation
Full bio
17. MR MSJ THABETHE
(47)
Appointed by the Minister of
Higher Education, Science
and Innovation
Full bio
Diversity of skills and experience
Our Council members boast a variety of valuable skills and experience. Their fields of expertise are given below:
Having resolved in November 2018 to pursue the establishment of a particular skills set, the NWU Council took these skills into account in 2021 when seeking to fill vacancies in membership. The purple text in the diagram below represent the skills that are given emphasis.
| 1 | General legal expertise |
| 2 | Environment, land and indigenous law |
| 3 | Global engagement expertise |
| 4 | Data analytics expertise |
| 5 | Audit and accounting expertise |
| 6 | Investment expertise |
| 7 | Fundraising expertise |
| 8 | Finances and business expertise (medium to macro enterprises) |
| 9 | Business administration and/or strategy expertise |
| 10 | Governance and ethics expertise |
| 11 | Corporate communication expertise |
| 12 | Information technology expertise |
| 13 | Technology transfer expertise |
| 14 | High positive public profile – science |
| 15 | High positive public profile – community engagement |
| 16 | Arts/people management |
Council transformation
Council continued to focus on transformation targets for its membership and approved the following equity targets for Council to achieve by January 2025:
As at 31 December 2021, the equity profile of Council was as follows:
Council decisions impacting value creation
Management highlighted several value-creation issues during 2021 and Council responded by taking key decisions on the following:
- Augmenting the NWU strategy
- Approval of the updated financial impact model
- Council approved the removal of the following functional areas from the portfolio of the deputy-vice chancellor for teaching and learning, re-allocating them as follows: The Career Centre moves to Corporate Relations and Marketing, Library and Information Systems move to the deputy vice-chancellor for research and innovation, and the Business School and Unit for Continuing Education move to the vice-principal.
- Council also approved the shift in reporting lines for the director of the Unit for Continuing Education from the deputy vice-chancellor for teaching and learning to the chief director of the Business School.
How these governance decision affect future value creation:
As Council we are confident that the ongoing implementation of the strategy, structure and brand is shaping the NWU's operations and efficiency.
We remain confident that the realisation of the strategic agenda of the NWU adds to the improved positioning of the university in the South African higher education landscape.
The Policy Refinement Committee continued with its activities in the drafting and review of policies.
In ensuring compliance with national directives and mitigating possible risks facing the university, we approved 23 policies (either revised or new) in 2021.
How these governance decision affect future value creation:
The NWU's success model indicates that the university is committed to the continued adoption of responsible risk-embracing strategies and transformational practices.
In line with this undertaking, and in adhering to the prescripts of the Statute, the university continually drafts and revises policies and rules.
Council approved the audited financial statements for 2021 and the financial overview for 2021.
Other financial approvals included the following:
- The revision of the 2021-2023 three-year rolling budget,the consolidated statements of financial position andcomprehensive income for the year ended 31 December2020, the financial overview for 2020, the rolling budget2022-2024, and the 2022 infrastructure project list.
- The 2022 tuition fee and the 2022 residence fee inflationadjustment on all campuses, and the procurement ofthe services of Anthology as a vendor of a new studentinformation system.
- That the NWU advance the cash for the pay-out of allowances to NSFAS students, retainPricewaterhouseCoopers as external auditors for thenext financial year, and make a donation to the RapportOnderwysfonds for the period January 2022 to December2024 and source a similar fund that espouses one of theother two languages, Setswana or Sesotho.
How these governance decision affect future value creation:
We are confident that the right decisions were taken in the short term to enable the university to realise the goals in the APP and to continue pursuing its strategic agenda.
However, Council is on record that it expressed concerns on the medium to long-term effects of the national uncertainties around the sustainability of South African higher education. These uncertainties relate predominantly to the funding of public higher education.
Council approved several matters regarding tender matters, including:
- Approval or conditional approval of the awarding of tenders for, among others, protection services and student accommodation on the Vanderbijlpark Campus, and the distribution of study material to distance students.
- Approval that for all future tenders where suppliers did not meet the required BBBEE levels 1-3, local participation of 30% would be mandatory.
How these governance decision affect future value creation:
As Council we ensure that the university procures services by means of a process that is fair, equitable, transparent and costeffective, while also ensuring the realisation of transformation objectives.
We are confident that the tenders that were awarded adhered to the principles laid down in relevant legislation.
We oversaw the process of appointing senior office bearers and approved the following:
- To appoint Prof Jeffrey Mphahlele as deputy vice-chancellor for research and innovation and Prof Sonia Swanepoel as deputy vice-chancellor for assigned functions and Mahikeng Campus operations.
- That the contracts of Mr Clement Manoko (executive director for corporate relations and marketing), Prof Robert Balfour (deputy vice-chancellor for teaching and learning) and Dr Mala Singh (executive director for people and culture) be extended.
- Council also noted that the vice-chancellor had resigned and that, in accordance with the Statute, the vice-principal, Prof Linda du Plessis, will take up the position as acting vicechancellor and principal.
How these governance decision affect future value creation:
We made sure that the appointment of these office bearers was informed by the Statute and relevant rules.
The calibre of those who are appointed is key to achieving the NWU's strategic objectives.
Key resolutions related to governance included the following:
- Approval of the 2020 Integrated Annual Report, the NWU's mid-year performance report, and the Annual Performance Plan.
- Approval of revised and new terms of reference for several Council committees, amendments to the NWU Statute in relation to various paragraphs, and various requirements for the streamlining of the nomination process for Council Members.
- Approval of the amendment of the clauses of the existing Organisational Agreement with NEHAWU and that an Organisational Rights Agreement be entered into with Solidarity trade union.
- Approval of the candidates for the NWU Biennial Alumni Excellence Awards 2021, the revised Conditions of Service for NWU employees, and to continue with the search for a unifying symbol for the NWU.
- Approval of the revised Transformation Charter, the NWU Statement of Strategic Ethical Intent and the NWU Ethics Strategy.
- Approval of various significant academic matters as recommended by Senate.
How these governance decision affect future value creation:
Through sound governance principles and practices, we create an ethical environment in which the NWU can realise its strategy.
During the NWU's vaccination drives on all three campuses, more than 20 000 people were vaccinated, including staff, students and members of the public.
Dr Bismark Tyobeka, our Council chairperson during 2021, also visited the Potchefstroom Campus on 24 July 2021 to be vaccinated.
Dr Bismark Tyobeka prepares to be vaccinated by Gao Sibeko, a fourth-year nursing student.
Council and Covid-19 in 2021
During 2021, Council received update reports on the NWU's continued handling of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The focus had been on the launching of the new academic year for returning students, as well as preparation for the Registration and Orientation programme for first-year entrants.
Particular reference was made to the manner in which NWU was dealing with the challenges regarding NSFAS and the resultant uncertainties, as well as some demands received from the SCCs at the Mahikeng and Vanderbijlpark campuses respectively.
The chairperson of Council commended management for all their efforts to keep life on campus as normal as possible and asked student leaders to continue cooperating with measures to combat the spread of Covid-19 as this would save lives.
Council also noted and discussed a "back to campus" approach and discussed mandatory vaccinations.
A risk assessment was being conducted with the assistance of experts, for finalisation by 22 November 2021.
Remuneration of externally elected Council members
Since 2009, following a Council resolution to this effect, the university has paid an honorarium to external members of Council and of Council committees.
The honorarium – as a token of the NWU’s gratitude for members’ time and effort – is linked to the university’s annual cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) process, and is paid twice a year, in August and December.
In 2021, the Council approved changes to the honorarium paid to external experts on Council committees, the chairperson of a Council committee that fulfilled a statutory role, as well as the deputy chairperson of Council.
The following table shows the honoraria paid for each meeting attended.
| Chairperson of Council | R6 929 |
| Deputy chairperson of Council | R5 197 |
| Council-appointed external expert in a structure, but not a Council member | R5 197 |
| Chairperson of a Council committee that fulfills a statutory role | R5 197 |
| Chairperson of a Council committee | R4 364 |
| Council member | R3 467 |
King IV as the guiding framework for value creation through governance
After King IV came into effect on 1 April 2017, the NWU initiated an internal process to ensure compliance by aligning structures, policies and procedures with the necessary requirements. The connections between King IV and the corresponding internal structure or responsibility are shown below:
| KING IV requirement | <Integrated Report> content element | Relevant governance structure |
| Leadership and ethics | Stakeholder engagement and relationships; governance |
|
| Performance and reporting | Strategy and resource allocation; performance; outlook |
|
| Governance structure and delegation | Governance and remuneration |
|
| Risks and opportunities | Stakeholder engagement and relationships; risk and opportunity |
|
| Technology and information | Governance, risk and opportunity; strategy and resource allocation |
|
| Compliance | Governance |
|
| Remuneration | Stakeholder engagement and relationships; remuneration |
|
| Assurance | Governance; basis of preparation and presentation |
|
| Stakeholder relationships | Stakeholder engagement and relationships |
|
