Picture: Professor Hennie Goede/Supplied
By BAKANG MOKOTO
26 May 2025- The North West University (NWU) Council said it has appointed Professor Hennie Goede, currently serving as the executive dean of the Faculty of Theology, as registrar designate. The university said the appointment was made during an extraordinary Council meeting held on 22 May 2025.
The Chairperson of the Council, Bert Sorgdrager said the date from which Goede will commence his duties as registrar designate will be determined and communicated very soon to ensure a smooth transition at the Faculty of Theology. Sorgdrager said upon such determination, Goede will work alongside and report to the current registrar, Prof. Marlene Verhoef, until 31 December 2025.
“Goede will officially commence his term as the NWU registrar on 1 January 2026 for a five-year period, concluding on 31 December 2031. We extend our congratulations to Goede and wish him success in his new role.
“Council is confident that Goede’s wealth of knowledge and experience in both academic and faculty administration will make an invaluable contribution to the NWU as we implement the new strategy – Taking the NWU forward: 2024 and beyond,” he said.
Sorgdrager further said as executive dean, Goede has played a pivotal role in shaping the strategic direction of the Faculty of Theology during the past six years. He added that Goede serves on the university’s Senior Management Committee, the Senate, and various subcommittees.
“He currently chairs the Senate task team on postgraduate enrolments and is also a member of the Council on Higher Education (CHE) Review Panel for Private Higher Education Institutions.
“Goede’s association with the NWU began in 2003, when he was appointed as locum tenens in Greek at the former Potchefstroom University for Christian Higher Education,” said Sorgdrager.
He said between 2008 and 2016, he served as Minister in the Reformed Church. Sorgdrager said since 2016, he has held various academic and leadership roles in the Faculty of Theology at the NWU, including as senior lecturer, subject chair, acting executive dean, and as executive dean since 2019.
“In 2024, he was promoted to associate professor in New Testament Studies. Goede’s academic journey began at the former Rand Afrikaans University (now University of Johannesburg), where he earned BCom and LLB degrees in 1992 and 1995 respectively, after which he practiced law as an attorney.
“He thereafter pursued honours degrees in Theology and Bible Translation at the former Potchefstroom University for Christian Higher Education (North West University), both completed in 2002,” he said.
Sorgdrager said this was followed by two master’s degrees, obtained in 2003 and 2005, and a doctoral degree in Greek at the NWU in 2011. He said Goede’s professional career reflects his multifaceted expertise, spanning law, the ministry and academia.
“In addition to his pastoral and legal experience, he has supervised and co-supervised numerous master’s-degree students. His scholarly work has been widely published in academic journals and edited volumes, and he has presented research at both national and international conferences.
“Once again, I wish Goede well on his new journey at the NWU. The NWU Council has full confidence in his abilities and knows that he will add value to the extensive role of the Office of the Registrar and the NWU,” said Sorgdrager.
The Guardian 