By REGINALD KANYANE

The North-West University (NWU) Council has appointed Prof Sonia Swanepoel as the new deputy Vice-Chancellor for Community Engagement and Mahikeng Campus Operations on 18 November 2021, where she will serve a three year term.

The university’s website said: “As an industrial psychologist, Swanepoel has extensive knowledge and experience in various areas of teaching and learning, research and innovation, community engagement and management.

 “She has been serving as acting deputy vice-chancellor for Community Engagement and Mahikeng Campus Operations since May 2021. Before that, she was executive dean of the NWU’s Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences for four years.”

According to the website, Swanepoel has also previously served as the executive dean of the former Faculty of Commerce and Administration in Mahikeng.

“Before joining the NWU eleven years ago, she was a consultant for Synergy Labour Consulting and held various positions at the Tshwane University of Technology, including that of dean and head of department.

“She was also a lecturer, senior lecturer and principal at Technikon Pretoria from 1982 until 2003. Swanepoel holds BCom and BCom Hons degrees in Personnel Management, and MCom and DCom degrees in Human Resources Management from the University of Pretoria,” said the website.

Swanepoel is part of various professional organisations, including the Health Professions Council of South Africa and the Psychology Association of South Africa for Industrial Psychology.

She was the chairperson of the higher-education committee of the South African Board of People Practices (SABPP) from 2011 to 2015. In addition, Swanepoel was a SABPP board member until 2015 and is a chartered human resources professional of this organisation.

“Swanepoel has presented many articles at conferences and published various articles in accredited journals, as well as in other journals and reports. Through her guidance and mentoring, nine students have obtained their PhD degrees and 16 their master’s degrees.

“The NWU Council congratulated her on her appointment and expressed full confidence in her ability to lead the NWU’s Mahikeng Campus and, as part of the executive management team, the broader university, to even greater successes,” said the website.

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By OBAKENG MAJE

The residents of Maphoitsile village near Taung welcomed the appointment of Tshepiso Seth Mvula as the new principal for Maphoitsile Primary School from January 2022. This follows the resignation of the embattled school principal, Kgotlaetsile Maboitshege.  

Maboitshege was removed from the school in June 2021 after he allegedly sexually assaulted a Grade 6 learner. It is alleged that Maboitshege sexually violated a learner by touching her breasts and private parts without her consent. 

South African National Civic Organisation (SANCO) and community members picketed outside the school calling for his removal. SANCO branch organizer, Lucky Tidikwe said then that they have engaged in a consultative meeting with the department and they were happy that Maboitshege was finally removed.

“The learner reported this matter to her grandmother who is her guardian. However, nothing was done to address it even though the parent went to school to report it. What Maboitshege did was wrong and surprisingly, more than five female learners also came forward with the same allegations.

“Imagine, the same teacher who taught us many years ago. He was supposed to regard these children as his granddaughters. It is clear that our learners are not living in a safer environment here. We have also advised the parents of the learner to go and open a criminal case with the police,” Tidikwe said.

Meanwhile, the North West Education Department spokesperson, Elias Malindi said: “Yes, Mr Mvula has been transferred to the school and he will resume his duties as the new school principal in January 2022.

“Mr Maboitshege has resigned and his sexual assault matter has long been submitted to labour in the department. Mr Mvula is an experienced principal and we believe he will make a positive impact at the school,” Malindi said.

Mvula is currently the principal at Mokgareng Secondary School in Mokgareng village, Taung.

Forum 4 Service Delivery (F4SD) in the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati also welcomed Mvula’s appointment. F4SD regional spokesperson, Mika Moeti said: “We want to express our heartfelt gratitude to the department. Actually, they have transferred the right person who possesses great qualities of leadership.

“Mr Mvula is a visionary and he has done well in his career. So, we believe that he will steer this ship to the right direction and develop great leaders of tomorrow. What I like about this is that he is also from this community.”

Mika concluded that Mvula will work diligently to ensure that teachers are equipped to be able to be great leaders in the classroom.

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