Thabang Makhoang's memory lives on

In memory of Thabang Makhoang, who tragically drowned at the NWU Potchefstroom Campus in 2012 during the orientation programme, the university unveiled his tombstone and handed over a title deed for a family house as well as a bursary fund for the community and Makhoang's sibling.

The family visited the pool where Makhoang drowned on 27 November for a traditional ritual. The Vice-Chancellor of the NWU, Prof Dan Kgwadi, then visited the family in Tswelelang Township in Wolmaranstad on 28 November, where they unveiled the tombstone and handed them the title deed of the house and bursary fund.

"Through the Thabang Makhoang Tswelelang Bursary Fund, and the bursary for his daughter, Kamogelo Makhoang, the community of Tswelelang will have a lasting relationship with the university," Prof Kgwadi said. "Kamogelo will be able to study at any of the NWU's three campuses. On top of that, the studies of one student from the Tswelelang community will be funded every year."

The title deed of a family house was the result of a letter that was found in Makhoang's residence addressed to his mother, where he promised to buy her a house once he finished his studies and found a job. "The university built the family a house to honour his dream" concluded Prof Kgwadi.