MOSSEL BAY NEWS - Last Thursday, the rectorate of the Potchefstroom Campus of the University of Northwest and the United Kingdoms of Africa reached an agreement on the deployment of the NWU's training enterprises in various African countries.
The Rector of the NWU Potchefstroom Campus, Professor Herman van Schalkwyk, along with vice-rectors Prof Fika Janse van Rensburg and Rantoa Letšosa, met with the king of the United Kingdoms of Africa (UKA), King Tchiffi Zie Jean Gervais, to launch this co-operation agreement at Pinnacle Point.
King Tchiffi ZIE is the permanent secretary general of the Forum of Sovereign and Traditional Leaders in Africa and based in the Ivory Coast.
The agreement was reached on the basis of the NWU and UKA both conceding strongly to the spirit of Ubuntu, with specific focus on the communities in the various kingdoms across Africa.
Way forward
According to Van Schalkwyk, the NWU will now be the UKA's tertiary arm with regard to teaching-learning programmes (short courses and degree programmes), research programmes (including masters and doctoral programmes) and community engagement by means of the application of expertise.
Fields such as law, nursing, theology, policing, education and various short courses have already been identified, with the focus initially being on the royal houses of Africa.
“The NWU's technology with regard to open distance education programmes will be deployed at various royal quarters in the relevant regions," said Van Schalkwyk.
The vision of NWU aligns with and support the implementation of the 10 Pledges of UKA. These pledges include promoting traditional leadership development; peace and stability; access to basic healthcare; food and water security; investment in climate support; basic education, youth development and skills transfer via technology; gender equality, as well as the inclusive exploration of mineral and natural resources.
Creating a technology based communication platform between stakeholders and communities, as well as the preservation of tradition, culture and heritage, is also prioritised.
Restoration in mind
King Zie indicated that the UKA does not want to function in opposition to the political structures of Africa, but rather be an accompanying entity alongside the government structures to be of service in the development and rebuilding of the African continent.
With the strong alliance, similar goals and objectives shared between United Kingdoms of Africa (UKA) and North West University (NWU) are committed to support and partner on all projects contributing towards the restoration of Kingdoms in Africa, the agreement states.
ARTICLE: CORNELLE CARSTENS, MOSSEL BAY ADVERTISER - JOURNALIST.
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