Meet our Council members
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.
One year, nine months into first term.
Number of committee meetings as Council member and average attendance:
61 meetings | 85% attendance
Directorships: USAf
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 three years which was contractually extended to 2027.
Three years and four months into second term.
Number of committee meetings as Council member and average attendance:
42 meetings I 89% attendance
Directorships: None
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.
One year, eight months into first term.
Number of committee meetings as Council member and average attendance:
18 meetings | 90% attendance
Directorships: Mylab Pty Ltd.
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 2022 to 2025.
One year, eight months into second term.
Number of committee meetings as Council member and average attendance:
19 meetings I 95% attendance
Directorships: Innovation Highway Enterprises
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.
Two years, one month into first term.
Number of committee meetings as Council member and average attendance:
12 meetings | 100% attendance
Directorships: None
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.
Two years, three months into second term.
Number of committee meetings as Council member and average attendance:
11 meetings | 85% attendance
Directorships: None
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.
Two years, nine months into first term.
Number of committee meetings as Council member and average attendance:
11 meetings | 69% attendance
Directorships: None
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.
Two years, one month into first term.
Number of committee meetings as Council member and average attendance:
14 meetings | 93% attendance
Directorships: None
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.
One year, nine months into first term.
Number of committee meetings as Council member and average attendance:
10 meetings | 100% attendance
Directorships: None
Student Representative Council
Qualifications: Enrolled for a BSc (agriculture)
Membership of Council Committees:
Student Oversight Committee
Term on Council:
One year, three months into term.
Number of committee meetings as Council member and average attendance:
14 meetings | 78% attendance
Directorships: None
Student Representative Council
Qualifications: Enrolled for a BCom (economic sciences)
Membership of Council Committees:
Student Life Oversight Committee
Term on Council:
One year, three months into term.
Number of committee meetings as Council member and average attendance:
19 meetings | 90% attendance
Directorships: None
Student Representative Council
Qualifications: Enrolled for a BCom (law)
Membership of Council Committees:
Student Oversight Committee
Term on Council:
Four months into term.
Number of committee meetings as Council member and average attendance:
Three meetings | 75% attendance
Directorships: None
Appointed by the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation
Full bio
Appointed by the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation
Qualifications: BCom (University of KwaZulu-Natal), BComHons (business management) (University of KwaZulu-Natal), MBA (University of KwaZulu-Natal)
Membership of Council Committees:
None.
Term on Council:
Appointed for a three-year term from 2023 to 2026.
Two months into first term.
Number of committee meetings as Council member and average attendance:
One meetings | 100% attendance
Directorships: None
Appointed by the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation
Full bio
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.
Two years, four months into first term.
Number of committee meetings as Council member and average attendance:
Nine meetings | 56% attendance
Directorships: None
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.
Two years, three months into second term.
Number of committee meetings as Council member and average attendance:
27 meetings | 96% attendance
Directorships: K2017228855 (South Africa) | Thapo Vision Group CM2510 (Pty) Ltd | NH2606 (Pty) Ltd | Tapologo HIV and AIDS programme | Jepa 321 (Pty) Ltd
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 2023 to 2026.
Two months into third term.
Number of committee meetings as Council member and average attendance:
17 meetings | 94% attendance
Directorships: Sihlasi Technologies CC
Appointed by the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation
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.
Two years, six months into third term.
Number of committee meetings as Council member and average attendance:
21 meetings | 95% attendance
Directorships: None
Elected by the Board of Donors
Qualifications: Honours (economics) (University of the 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.
One year, two months into first term.
Number of committee meetings as Council member and average attendance:
17 meetings | 94% attendance
Directorships: None
Elected by the Board of Donors
Elected by the Convocation Chairperson of the Council
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 2023 to 2026.
Five months into third term.
Number of committee meetings as Council member and average attendance:
54 meetings | 94% attendance
Directorships: Vaalrivier Steiltes Aandeleblok | Florida Buitemuurs | Nedbank Zimbabwe
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.
One year, eight months into first term.
Number of committee meetings as Council member and average attendance:
18 meetings | 86% attendance
Directorships: None
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.
Two years into third term.
Number of committee meetings as Council member and average attendance:
19 meetings | 90% attendance
Directorships: None
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.
Two years, four months into second term.
Number of committee meetings as Council member and average attendance:
16 meetings | 94% attendance
Directorships: None
Appointed from the community leaders
Qualifications: Dip PA, BPA, BAHons (theology)
Membership of Council Committees:
Executive Committee (alternate member) | Student Life Oversight Commitee | Student Housing Commitee | Social and Ethics Committee
Term on Council:
Nine months into second term.
Number of committee meetings as Council member and average attendance:
48 meetings | 77% attendance
Directorships: None
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 2023 to 2026.
Nine months into second term.
Number of committee meetings as Council member and average attendance:
21 meetings | 100% attendance
Directorships: iDUC NPC | Tlokwe Crisis Centre
Appointed from the 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.
One year, six months into first term.
Number of committee meetings as Council member and average attendance:
14 meetings | 100% attendance
Directorships: None
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.
One year, six months into first term.
Number of committee meetings as Council member and average attendance:
Seven meetings | 70% attendance
Directorships: Snap Consulting
Appointed by Council for specific expertise Deputy Chairperson of Council
Full bio
Appointed by Council for specific expertise Deputy Chairperson of Council
Qualifications: BComp Accounting, BComp Accounting (Hons),CA(SA) (Unisa)
Membership of Council Committees:
Audit, Risk and Compliance Committee | Executive Committee | People and Culture and Employment Equity Committee | Remuneration Committee | Extended Exco
Term on Council:
Appointed for a three-year term from 2021 to 2024.
Two years and nine months into first term.
Number of committee meetings as Council member and average attendance:
35 meetings | 85% attendance
Directorships: Fraudsmiths (Pty) Ltd | Bridging Concepts Financial Services (Pty) Ltd | Anova Health Institute NPC
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 2012 to 2025.
One year, six months ino second term.
Number of committee meetings as Council member and average attendance:
21 meetings | 95% 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
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
Higher education governance
Student management and governance
General management, business and industrial psychology
Science/innovation, technology and engineering
Communication and languages
General legal expertise
Psychology
Labour relations
Audit and chartered accountancy
Theological expertise
When filling vacancies on the NWU Council, we seek particular skills that match our required skills set. The coloured blocks in the diagram below represent the skills that are emphasised.
| 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 |
Click on the image to watch Mr Bert Sorgdrager, chairperson of Council, sharing the highlights of the last Council meeting for 2023. It took place on 16 November at the Vanderbijlpark Campus.
Council transformation
Council has membership transformation targets. Council aims to achieve the following equity targets in its composition by January 2025:
In September 2022, Council resolved that its membership should include two members living with disabilities, but currently there are none.
As of 31 December 2023, the equity profile of Council was as follows:
Members with disabilities: None
External member appointed by the Minister of Higher
Education, Science and Innovation
External member elected by the Board of Donors
Council decisions impacting value creation
The following table gives a summary of Council’s value-creating decisions and how these might affect future value creation.
Council approved the NWU Strategy: Taking the NWU forward – 2024 and beyond.
We reworded the mission statement as follows: To benefit society through the provision of knowledge, excelling in innovative teaching, cutting-edge research and focused engagement with the community.
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.
The Policy Refinement Committee continued drafting and reviewing NWU policies. We approved 11 policies and one strategy in 2023, and rescinded six policies.
Click here for the list of policies concerned.
How this governance decision could affect future value creation
The ongoing drafting and revision of policies and rules is in line with the prescripts of the Statute and the NWU’s success model. These encourage the adoption of responsible, risk-embracing strategies and transformational practices.
During 2023, Council approved the audited financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2022.
In addition, other notable financial approvals were:
- Purchase of a property as interim accommodation for the vice-chancellor. The position of this property will be revisited in 12 months’ time.
- Revised capital programme budget of R148 195 580.
- The 2024-2026 budget, subject to the principle that the budget would need to be adjusted when new information is received from the Minister.
- The 2024 tuition fee inflation adjustment on all campuses to be linked to the projected CPI for 2024 for contact students and adjustments in the 2024 residence and meal fees. (Click here for more detail)
- Increases in the 2024 Postgraduate Diploma fees in the Faculty of Engineering.
- Agreement with the DHET and NSFAS that, if necessary, the NWU would advance the cash to pay out allowances to NSFAS students to support the start of the academic year.
How this governance decision could affect future value creation
We are confident that the right decisions have been taken in the short term to enable the university to realise the goals in the Annual Performance Plan and to continue pursuing its strategic agenda.
However, Council is on record as having expressed concerns on the medium and long‑term effects of uncertainties around the funding of public higher education.
Council approved three tenders for proposed construction projects on the Vanderbijlpark Campus, one tender for a solar power project on the Potchefstroom Campus and one tender for mass secure printing services.
Click here for details of the tender amounts and the successful bidders.
How this governance decision could affect future value creation
We ensure that the university procures services in a fair, equitable, transparent and cost‑effective manner, while also realising transformation objectives.
We are confident that the tenders awarded adhered to the principles laid down in relevant legislation.
Council oversaw the process of appointing senior office bearers and approved the following:
- Extending the contract of Prof Linda du Plessis as vice-principal for a second term until 31 August 2027. Until that date, she will also serve her second term as deputy vice-chancellor for assigned functions and Vanderbijlpark Campus operations.
- Re-appointing Prof Daryl Balia as deputy vice-chancellor for assigned functions and Potchefstroom Campus operations for a further period of two years, ending 31 December 2025.
- Extending the term in office of Dr Mala Singh to 31 December 2024 with the proviso that a successor be appointed in the latter part of the extended period.
- Retaining Prof Marlene Verhoef’s term in office as registrar until 31 December 2025, subject to proper succession planning with clear timelines.
- Extending by one year, from 1 January 2025 to 31 December 2025, the term of Prof Sonia Swanepoel as deputy‑vice‑chancellor for assigned functions and Mahikeng Campus operations.
- Extending the term of Prof S Chalufu as executive director for student life by one year, from 1 August 2024 to 31 July 2025.
How these governance decisions 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 was and is key to achieving the NWU’s strategic objectives.
Council approved revised and new terms of reference for 13 Council committees, including the Council Exco and Remuneration Committee. We also approved the reviewed rules of the Board of Donors and the Institutional Forum.
In other key governance resolutions, Council elected Ms R Kenosi as deputy chairperson of Council and confirmed the election, re-election or appointment of eight external experts to Council and Council committees.
Furthermore, Council confirmed the selection panel for the position of executive director for people and culture, approved the 2022 DHET Governance Scorecard and the 2022 Integrated Annual Report, and also gave its stamp of approval to the Successive Employment Equity Plan and revised employment equity goals.
How these governance decisions could affect future value creation:
Through sound governance principles and practices, we create an ethical environment in which the NWU can realise its strategy.
Remuneration of externally elected Council members
Each year, the university pays an honorarium to external members of Council and of Council committees as a token of appreciation for members’ time and effort.
The honorarium fee is paid twice a year, in August and December. It is linked to the NWU’s annual cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) process, which the Remuneration Committee approves.
The following table shows the honoraria paid for each meeting attended:
| Position | Honorarium 2022 | Honorarium 2023 |
| Council chairperson | R7 310 | R7 310 |
| Council-appointed external expert, but not a Council member | R5 483 | R5 483 |
|
Chairperson of a Council committee that fulfils a statutory role (Reporting Regulations)
|
R5 483 | R5 483 |
| Chairperson of a Council committee | R4 604 | R4 604 |
| Deputy chairperson of Council for each Council meeting | R5 483 | R5 483 |
| Council chairperson or deputy chairperson as an ordinary member of a structure | R3 658 | R3 658 |
| Council member | R3 658 | R3 658 |
Greatness without boundaries
The NWU has a new five-year map to navigate the challenges and seize the opportunities the rapidly evolving world presents.
At their meeting on 14 September 2023, the NWU Council put their stamp of approval on the NWU strategy, titled: Taking the NWU forward – 2024 and beyond.
The new strategy is based on six pillars: our values,
goals, priorities, guiding principles, mission and vision.
(Read more)
Click on the image to view the new strategy document.
King IV as the guiding framework for value creation through governance
The NWU’s governance framework is aligned with the King IV report. The below shows how the various internal structures or responsibilities correspond with King IV:
| 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 |
|