Meet our Council members
(Council membership as at 31 December 2022)
1. PROF MB TYOBEKA (47)
Vice‑Chancellor
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, USA)
Membership of Council Committees:
All Council committees (except Audit, Risk and Compliance Committee – not a full
member)
Term on Council:
Appointed for a five-year term from 2022 to 2027.
Six months into first term.
Number of committee meetings as Council member and average attendance:
49 meetings | 82% attendance
Directorships: USAf
2. PROF L DU PLESSIS (53)
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-years.
Two years and three months into second term.
Number of committee meetings as Council member and average attendance:
49 meetings | 90% attendance
Directorships: None
3. PROF DM MODISE (62)
Elected by Senate
Qualifications: BSc (horticultural science) (University of Bath), MSc (horticulture) (West Virginia University), PhD (plant sciences) (Nottingham University)
Membership of Council Committees:
Student Life Oversight Committee | Honorary Awards Committee
Term on Council:
Appointed for a three-year term from 2022 to 2025.
Eight months into first term.
Number of committee meetings as Council member and average attendance:
16 meetings | 69% attendance
Directorships: MyLab PTY LTD
4. PROF AF KOTZÉ (57)
Elected by Senate
Qualifications: BPharm, MSc, PhD (PU for CHE)
Membership of Council Committees:
Student Housing Committee | Honorary Awards Committee | Council
representation on the Senate Executive Committee
Term on Council:
Appointed for a three-year term from 2019 to 2022.
Eight months into second term.
Number of committee meetings as Council member and average attendance:
16 meetings | 100% attendance
Directorships: Innovation Highway Enterprises
5. PROF AH VERHOEF (49)
Elected by Senate
Qualifications: BA (US), BD Theology (US), BAHons Philosophy (US), MTh (US), DTh (US), PhD (Free University Amsterdam)
Membership of Council Committees:
People and Culture and Employment Equity Committee | Honorary Awards Committee
Term on Council:
Appointed for a three-year term from 2021 to 2024.
One year and one month into first term.
Number of committee meetings as Council member and average attendance:
6 meetings | 83% attendance
Directorships: None
PROF PA SMIT (61)
Elected by academic staff members
Qualifications: BA, (HED) (postgraduate), BAHons, MA, PhD (labour relations management)
Membership of Council Committees:
People and Culture and Employment Equity Committee | Student Life Oversight Committee
Term on Council:
Appointed for a three-year term from 2021 to 2024.
One year, three months into first term.
Number of committee meetings as Council member and average attendance:
8 meetings | 50% attendance
Directorships: None
7. PROF WJ DU PLESSIS (43)
Elected by academic staff members
Qualifications: BA (international relations), LLB, LLD (University of Stellenbosch)
Membership of Council Committees:
Transformation Oversight Committee | Social and Ethics Committee | Human Rights Committee
Term on Council:
Appointed for a three-year term from 2021 to 2024.
One year and nine months into first term.
Number of committee meetings as Council member and average attendance:
6 meetings | 100% attendance
Directorships: None
8. DR AA LE ROUX (56)
Elected by support staff members
Qualifications: BScHons (biokinetics) )(PU for CHE), PhD (relationship marketing)
Membership of Council Committees:
Transformation Oversight Committee
Term on Council:
Appointed for a three-year term from 2021 to 2024.
One year and one month into first term.
Number of committee meetings as Council member and average attendance:
8 meetings | 88% attendance
Directorships: None
9. MS MH LEKALAKALA (45)
Elected by support staff members
Qualifications: BCom (accounting) (University of Limpopo), BComHons (business management) (University of Limpopo)
Membership of Council Committees:
Social and Ethics Committee
Term on Council:
Appointed for a three-year term from 2022 to 2025.
Nine months into first term.
Number of committee meetings as Council member and average attendance:
5 meetings | 80% attendance
Directorships: None
10. MS KE MOGOSHOA (24)
Student Representative Council
Qualifications: Enrolled for a BSc (agriculture)
Membership of Council Committees:
Student Oversight Committee
Term on Council:
Three months into one-year term.
Number of committee meetings as Council member and average attendance:
4 meetings | 100% attendance
Directorships: None
11. MR A YIKUMBA (22)
Student Representative Council
Qualifications: Enrolled for a BCom (economic sciences)
Membership of Council Committees:
Student Life Oversight Committee
Term on Council:
Three months into one year term.
Number of committee meetings as Council member and average attendance:
3 meetings | 100% attendance
Directorships: None
12. MS HD MDLADLA (21)
Student Representative Council
Qualifications: Enrolled for a BEd (foundation phase)
Membership of Council Committees:
Student Oversight Committee
Term on Council:
Three months into one-year term.
Number of committee meetings as Council member and average attendance:
3 meetings | 100% attendance
Directorships: None
13. MR OE MONGALE (51)
Appointed by the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation
Qualifications: Studying towards a master’s of philosophy in conflict transformation (Nelson Mandela University), postgraduate diploma in management, master’s (industrial psychology) (NWU), honours (industrial psychology) bachelor’s (administration) (UniBo)
Membership of Council Committees:
Tender Committee | Honorary Awards Committee | Remuneration Committee | Medical School Task Team | Extended Executive Committee | Executive Committee
Term on Council:
Appointed for a three-year term from 2020 to 2023.
Two years and three months into second term.
Number of committee meetings as Council member and average attendance:
34 meetings | 91% attendance
Directorships: The Hub Farming Enterprise | Sego Programme and Project | The Hub People Development Institute | Mochwa Investments | Bachen | Kehu Projects | Teki Project and Programme Managers
14. ADV PG SELEKA SC (48)
Appointed by the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation
Qualifications: BA Law and LLB (PU for CHE)
Membership of Council Committees:
Transformation Oversight Committee | Social and Ethics Committee
Term on Council:
Appointed for a three-year term from 2021 to 2024.
One year and four months into first term.
Number of committee meetings as Council member and average attendance:
11 meetings | 100% attendance
Directorships: None
15. MR C MABE (44)
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.
One year and four months into second term.
Number of committee meetings as Council member and average attendance:
9 meetings | 100% attendance
Directorships: K2017228855 (South Africa) | My Throne Group | Thapo Vision Group CM2510 (Pty) Ltd | NH2606 (Pty) Ltd | Tapologo HIV and AIDS programme | Jepa Resources Trading Enterprise (Pty) Ltd | The Islanders (Pty) Ltd | Jepa 321 (Pty) Ltd
16. MR TC KGOMO (55)
Appointed by the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation
Qualifications: BCom (University of North West)
Membership of Council Committees:
Tender Committee | People and Culture and Employment Equity Committee | Transformation Oversight Committee | Extended Exco
Term on Council:
Appointed for a three-year term from 2020 to 2023.
Two years and three months into third term.
Number of committee meetings as Council member and average attendance:
20 meetings | 100% attendance
Directorships: Henjen Petroleum (Pty) Ltd | Tshepi Investments CC | Sky Chrome Mining | Kiddo Cool | Lefatshe la Morena | Direlang Morena | Masego a Morena
17. MR MSJ THABETHE (48)
Appointed by the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation
Qualifications: National diploma (information technology), BTech (information technology) (TWR), MCom (information systems) (University of the Witwatersrand)
Membership of Council Committees:
Technology and Information Governance Committee | Audit, Risk and Compliance
Committee | Social and Ethics Committee | Executive Committee of Council
(alternate) | Extended Exco
Term on Council:
Appointed for a three-year term from 2020 to 2023.
Two years and three months into second term.
Number of committee meetings as Council member and average attendance:
21 meetings | 95% attendance
Directorships: Sihlasi Technologies CC
18. MR JDS DE BRUYN (71)
Elected by the Board of Donors
Qualifications: BCom (accounting science), BIuris, LLB (PU for CHE)
Membership of Council Committees:
Audit, Risk and Compliance Committee | Tender Committee | Senate
Term on Council:
Appointed for a three-year term from 2021 to 2024.
One year and six months into third term.
Number of committee meetings as Council member and average attendance:
20 meetings | 85% attendance
Directorships: None
19. MS PS MOLEKE (55)
Elected by the Board of Donors
Qualifications: Honours (economics) (University of Witwatersrand), master’s degree (economics) (Georgia State University), BA (education) (Vista University)
Membership of Council Committees:
Audit, Risk and Compliance Committee | Finance Committee | Investments
Committee
Term on Council:
Appointed for a three-year term from 2022 to 2025.
Two months into first term.
Number of committee meetings as Council member and average attendance:
1 meetings | 100% attendance
Directorships: None
20. MS UAD BARRAVALLE (40)
Elected by the Board of Donors
Qualifications: BSc (chemistry and biochemistry), BScHons (chemistry) (RAU), LLB (Unisa)
Membership of Council Committees:
Assets Committee | Executive Committee of Council | Extended Exco
Term on Council:
Appointed for a three-year term from 2022 to 2025.
One month into second term.
Number of committee meetings as Council member and average attendance:
29 meetings | 83% attendance
Directorships: DM Kisch INC | Kisch Africa | Kisch Investments Limited
21. MR A SORGDRAGER (63)
Elected by the Convocation
Qualifications: BIuris and LLB (PU for CHE), international executive programme (INSEAD Business School)
Membership of Council Committees:
Executive Committee of Council | Remuneration Committee | Finance Committee
| Honorary Awards Committee | Student Life Oversight Committee | Senate |
Medical School Task Team | Extended Exco
Term on Council:
Appointed for a three-year term from 2020 to 2023.
Two years and five months into second term.
Number of committee meetings as Council member and average attendance:
57 meetings | 100% attendance
Directorships: Vaalrivier Steiltes Aandeleblok | Florida Buitemuurs | Nedbank Zimbabwe
22. MR TP VENTER (67)
Elected by the Convocation
Qualifications: Master’s degree (political science) (PU for CHE), master’s degree (comparative politics) (State University of New York)
Membership of Council Committees:
Technology and information Governance Commitee | Medical School Task Team
Term on Council:
Appointed for a three-year term from 2022 to 2025.
8 months into first term.
Number of committee meetings as Council member and average attendance:
6 meetings | 100% attendance
Directorships: None
23. PROF AL COMBRINK (78)
Elected by the Convocation
Qualifications: BA, BAHons, MA, DLitt (english) (PU for CHE), higher education diploma (Unisa)
Membership of Council Committees:
Social and Ethics Commitee | Medical School Task Team
Term on Council:
Appointed for a three-year term from 2021 to 2024.
One year and one month into third term.
Number of committee meetings as Council member and average attendance:
8 meetings | 88% attendance
Directorships: None
24. ADV M KRUGER (57)
Elected by the Convocation
Qualifications: BIuris, LLB (PU for CHE)
Membership of Council Committees:
Student Life Oversight Committee | Technology and Information Governance
Committee | Human Rights Committee
Term on Council:
Appointed for a three-year term from 2021 to 2024.
One year and four months into first term.
Number of committee meetings as Council member and average attendance:
18 meetings | 100% attendance
Directorships: None
25. PASTOR PM TLHABANYANE (59)
Appointed from the community leaders
Qualifications: Dip PA, BPA, BAHons (Theology)
Membership of Council Committees:
Executive Commitee | Student Life Oversight Commitee | Student Housing
Commitee | Social and Ethics Committee
Term on Council:
Appointed for a three-year term from 2020 to 2023.
Currently two years and nine months into first term.
Number of committee meetings as Council member and average attendance:
16 meetings | 94% attendance
Directorships: None
26. MS S BRITZ (61)
Appointed from the community leaders
Qualifications: Matric, NQF5 Real Estate
Membership of Council Committees:
Executive Committee (alternate member) | People and Culture and Employment
Equity Committee | Assets Commitee | Transformation Oversight Commitee
Term on Council:
Appointed for a three-year term from 2022 to 2025.
Currently two years and nine months into first term.
Number of committee meetings as Council member and average attendance:
18 meetings | 94% attendance
Directorships: iDUC NPC | Tlokwe Crisis Centre
27. MS PP THEBE (35)
Appointed from the ranks of the university’s community leaders
Qualifications: BCom, PGCE
Membership of Council Committees:
Student Life Oversight Committee | Human Rights Committee
Term on Council:
Appointed for a three-year term from 2022 to 2025.
Six months into first term.
Number of committee meetings as Council member and average attendance:
4 meetings | 75% attendance
Directorships: None
28. MR N OMAR (35)
Appointed by Council for specific expertise
Qualifications: CA(SA) (Unisa)
Membership of Council Committees:
Investments Committee
Term on Council:
Appointed for a three-year term from 2022 to 2025.
Six months into first term.
Number of committee meetings as Council member and average attendance:
2 meetings | 0% attendance
Directorships: Snap Consulting
29. MS RA KENOSI (51)
Appointed by Council for specific expertise
Qualifications: BComp Accounting, BComp Accounting (Hons),CA(SA) (Unisa)
Membership of Council Committees:
Audit, Risk and Compliance Committee | Executive Committee of Council | People and Culture and Employment Equity Committee | Remuneration Committee | Extended Exco
Term on Council:
Appointed for a three-year term from 2021 to 2024.
One year and nine months into first term.
Number of committee meetings as Council member and average attendance:
45 meetings | 96% attendance
Directorships: Fraudsmiths (Pty) Ltd | Bridging Concepts Financial Services (Pty) Ltd | Onderstepoort Biological Products SOC ltd | Anova Health Institute NPS
30. MR TV MOKGATLHA (47)
Appointed by Council for specific expertise
Qualifications: BCom (accounting) (University of North West), HonsBcompt/Certificate of theory in accounting (CTA) (Unisa)
Membership of Council Committees:
Audit, Risk and Compliance Committee | Assets Committee | Remuneration Committee | Extended Exco
Term on Council:
Appointed for a three-year term from 2019 to 2022.
Six months into second term.
Number of committee meetings as Council member and average attendance:
14 meetings | 86% attendance
Directorships: Yebo Yethu (RF) Limited | Yebo Yethu Investment Company (RF) (Pty) Limited | Baphlane Siyanda Chrome Company | MTBG Investments | South African Blood Services NPC (SANBS) | Stokfella | Philasini | Baphalane Ba Mantserre Investment Holdings | Atomatic Trading | Baphalane Property Holdings | His Crown Apostolic Ministries | BBMIH Food | Hyprop Investment LTD | BBMIH Textile | BBMIH Manufacturing
Inauguration of VC heralds exciting new era
The inauguration of Dr Bismark Tyobeka as the third vice‑chancellor of the NWU was the start of an exciting new journey for the university.
Dr Tyobeka, who started his five-year term as principal and vice‑chancellor on 1 June 2022, was officially inaugurated on 26 August during a prestigious event in Potchefstroom.
He says the inauguration marked the start of a journey characterised by the consolidation of the NWU’s successes and the repositioning of the university to explore new frontiers and opportunities – nationally and internationally. Read more.
The academic procession leaves the hall after the inauguration of Dr Tyobeka. In front is NWU chancellor dr Anna Mokgokong, followed by the newly inaugurated principal and vice‑chancellor, Dr Bismark Tyobeka, and Council chairperson, Bert Sorgdrager.
Diversity of skills and experience
Our Council members have a variety of valuable skills and experience in these fields of expertise:
Governance and ethics in general
Psychology and theology
Labour relations
Higher education governance
General legal expertise
Audit and chartered accountancy
Student management and governance
Communication, languages
Theological expertise
General management, business, industrial psychology
Science/innovation, technology, engineering
The NWU Council takes an agreed skills set into account when filling vacancies in membership. The coloured text in the diagram below represent the skills that are emphasised.
| 1 | General legal expertise | 9 | Business administration and/or strategy expertise |
| 2 | Environment, land and indigenous law | 10 | Governance and ethics expertise |
| 3 | Global engagement expertise | 11 | Corporate communication expertise |
| 4 | Data analytics expertise | 12 | Information technology expertise |
| 5 | Audit and accounting expertise | 13 | Technology transfer expertise |
| 6 | Investment expertise | 14 | High positive public profile – science |
| 7 | Fundraising expertise | 15 | High positive public profile – community engagement |
| 8 | Finances and business expertise (medium to macro enterprises) | 16 | Arts/people management |
Council transformation
Council has transformation targets for its membership and has approved the following equity targets for January 2025:
African female
White male
Indian/Coloured male/female
African male
White female
In September 2022, Council resolved that its membership should include two members living with disabilities.
As at 31 December 2022, the equity profile of Council was as follows:
Council decisions impacting value creation
The following table gives a summary of Council’s value-creating decisions and their possible effect on future value creation.
Strategy and structure
With the appointment of the new vice‑chancellor, the strategy of the NWU would be reviewed.
How this governance decision could 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.
Click here for a list of the policies concerned.
Policies and rules
The Policy Refinement Committee continued with the drafting and review of policies.
We approved 17 new or revised policies in 2022, ensuring compliance with national directives and mitigating possible risks facing the university.
One policy, (on governance oversight and management control), was repealed.
How this governance decision could affect future value creation:
Our success model indicates that we are 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, we continually draft and revise policies and rules.
Financial matters
Council approved the audited 2022 financial statements and the 2022 financial overview for 2022.
In addition, Council approved, among others:
- additional project funds of R27 334 491 to cover an increase in scope and escalation in construction costs;
- the unscheduled infrastructure project for the macro maintenance and upgrades to the vice‑chancellor’s residence;
- the 2023-2025 Budget, subject to the principle that the budget would need to be adjusted when new information is received from the Minister;
- the 2023 tuition fee and residence fee inflation adjustment and the 2023 amounts payable at registration; and
- conditionally approved cash advances to NSFAS students in 2023, if there are no changes to the NSFAS disbursement methodology.
How this governance decision could 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 in expressing concerns on the medium to long-term effects of the national uncertainties around the funding of public higher education.
Click here for details of the tender amounts and successful bidders.
Tender matters
Council approved tenders for the refurbishment of academic spaces on the Potchefstroom Campus, the supply and delivery of diesel for generators on all three campuses, specialised Wi-Fi infrastructure equipment, and protection services on the Potchefstroom and Mahikeng campuses.
How this governance decision could affect future value creation:
Council ensures that the university procures services through fair, equitable, transparent and cost-effective processes, while also ensuring the realisation of transformation objectives.
We are confident that the tenders were awarded according to the principles laid down in relevant legislation.
Appointment of office bearers
Council oversaw the process of appointing senior office bearers and approved the following:
- appointing Dr Mzubanzi Bismark Tyobeka as vice‑chancellor of the North-West University for a five-year term commencing 1 June 2022 and ending on 31 May 2027; and
- recording the re-appointment of Prof Mala Singh as executive director for people and culture for the period 1 January 2023 to 31 December 2023.
How this governance decision could 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 have been appointed is key to achieving the NWU’s strategic objectives.
Click here for a full list of Council’s governance-related resolutions of 2022.
Governance matters
- Council approved revised and new terms of reference for Council itself and for the nine Council committees;
- We confirmed six sets of approvals made by the Executive Committee of Council on matters such as the 2022 registration and orientation programme for first years, student vaccinations, certain residence lease agreements, the list of official NWU donors, revised terms of reference for the Human Rights Committee and the payment of cash advances for NSFAS students at the beginning of 2022. In addition, Council recorded the conclusion of the external review process of Council.
- We also elected Mr Bert Sorgdraer as chairperson of Council and Mr Obakeng Mogale as deputy chairperson.
How this governance decision could affect future value creation:
Through sound governance principles and practices, we create an ethical environment in which the NWU can realise its strategy.
Two alumni lead NWU Council
The NWU Council elected alumni Bert Sorgdrager as chairperson and Obakeng Mongale as deputy chairperson of Council at their meeting on 23 June 2022.
Bert, a seasoned legal professional with more than 30 years’ experience in the private sector, is the sixth chairperson of Council.
His election follows the resignation of the previous chairperson, Dr Bismark Tyobeka, who has since been appointed principal and vice‑chancellor of the NWU. Read more.
Two alumni are now at the helm of the NWU Council:
Bert Sorgdrager (left) serves as chairperson and
Obakeng Mongale as deputy chairperson.
Council and Covid-19 in 2022
Council received updates on the NWU’s continued handling of the Covid-19 pandemic. The reports covered institutional and national developments.
In March 2022, Council confirmed the NWU was pro-vaccination but, after a risk assessment was carried out, did not adopt a mandatory vaccination position.
Council noted in June 2022 that a task team had been created to hand over Covid-19-related matters to the normal occupational health and safety (OHS) structures. Requirements dealing with issues such as ventilation were kept in place.
In September 2022, Council noted that the Covid-19 task team had been replaced with an interim OHS Covid-19 committee.
Council also resolved that the matter was a management matter and that it would not need further Covid-19 reports unless the situation changed.
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 is considered a token of the NWU’s gratitude for members’ time and effort.
The honorarium fee is paid twice a year, in August and December. The fee is linked to the university’s annual cost- of-living adjustment (COLA) process, which the Remuneration Committee approves before implementation.
In 2022, the honorarium was adjusted by 5,5%, the same COLA increase paid to executive management.
The following table shows the honoraria paid for each meeting attended.
| Position | Honorarium 2021 | Honorarium 2022 |
| Council chairperson | R6 929 | R7 310 |
| Council-appointed external expert, but not a Council member | R5 197 | R5 483 |
| Chairperson of a Council committee that fulfils a statutory role | R5 197 | R5 483 |
| Chairperson of a Council committee | R4 364 | R4 604 |
| Deputy chairperson of Council for each Council meeting | R5 197 | R5 483 |
| Council chairperson or deputy chairperson as an ordinary member of a structure | R3 467 | R3 658 |
| Council member | R3 467 | R3 658 |
King IV as the guiding framework for value creation through governance
The NWU has an internal process to ensure structures, policies and procedures are aligned with King IV. The connections between the code and each 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 |
|