The University Management Committee decided to hold memorial services on each of the university’s campuses for staff and students who passed away during the academic year as part of North-West University’s values and ethic of care.
The Potchefstroom campus held its memorial service on Wednesday, 26 October. This memorial is the first of its kind and the university aims to make it an annual ceremony.
“ Losing a loved one is very painful, and we all deal with these losses in a different way. However, one thing that can be certain is that we carry the memories of those we have lost in our hearts,” vice-chancellor,Dr Bismark Tyobeka said.
“ We remember and celebrate their lives, the role they played in enriching our lives, and the difference they have made in our various spheres of life,our boardrooms, student centers, classrooms, sports grounds and others,” Tyobeka added.
In the current academic year, the North-West University has lost 10 staff members and 16 students. “ My sincere and deepest condolences to the bereaved families, colleagues, friends, and classmates. May God continue to bless you with the strength to deal with the grief, and may he make all your wishes come true,” Tyobeka said.
Tyobeka added that nothing can ever replace or fill this void of losing a loved one and that it is through the commitment and dedication of all staff members and students, that the university is able to realise its dream of being an internationally recognised university in Africa, distinguished for engaged scholarship, social responsiveness and an ethic of care.
“ Those who have passed away all played a part in helping us to achieve our dream, and for that we honour and remember them,” he said.
“ We must empower and uplift them because our students are the future of this country. Let us remember all who have passed away for the commitment they had for the future. Let us dedicate ourselves to ensuring that their commitment and dreams for the NWU are not in vain,” he added.
Tyobeka concluded by thanking families for sharing their loved ones with the university. “Thank you for allowing us to be part of their lives. May you be carried and consoled in these times of grief, and may you find comfort in knowing that the NWU will forever keep them in our hearts and minds. I leave you with the words of a Hebrew proverb: Say not in grief that they are gone, but give thanks that they were yours,” he said.
