Sol Plaatje University

SPU CHANCELLOR THEBE IKALAFENG NAMED AN AFRICAN HERITAGE CHAMPION

The award was presented by the Africa World Heritage Fund (AWHF), the African Union and UNESCO during the AWHF’s 20th anniversary celebrations, in recognition of his commitment to preserving, promoting and advancing African heritage and culture.

In his words: “Our heritage is more than a record of our past. It is the foundation of our identity, the source of our dignity and a gift that we hold in trust for generations yet to come.” Read more here: https://bit.ly/4cIbinF

MASTERS STUDENT EXCELS AT 2026 WETSKILLS

SPU Master’s Chemistry student Bongiwe Nqobile Mabhena helped her team secure first place at Wetskills South Africa. Through innovative thinking and collaboration, the team developed a Water Stewardship Ecosystem aimed at reducing water losses, strengthening community partnerships, and improving water security. Read more on her achievement here: https://bit.ly/45JcGTr

SCIENCE-FOR-THE-FUTURE PROJECT STRENGTHENS MATHEMATICS AND SCIENCE EDUCATION IN THE NORTHERN CAPE

For the past six years, Sol Plaatje University's Science-for-the-Future project has been supporting teachers across the Northern Cape through professional development focused on strengthening mathematics and science education.

Through the Faculty of Education, the project equips teachers with practical, learner-centred approaches to make challenging mathematics and science concepts more accessible and engaging. The programme focuses on Mathematics in the Foundation Phase and Key Science Concepts in the Senior Phase, supported by workshops, practical activities, collaborative lesson planning and classroom demonstrations.

The initiative has also fostered a strong Community of Practice involving teachers, subject advisors, SPU academics and Foundation Phase parents, contributing to improved teaching practices, learner participation and confidence among educators. Read more about the project here: https://bit.ly/3ROIiUi

WHERE INFRASTRUCTURE MEETS IMPACT

Over two impactful days, higher education leaders, facilities professionals and operations experts from across Southern Africa gathered at Sol Plaatje University for the 5th HEFMA Chief Operations Officers Forum, tackling critical issues shaping the future of higher education, from infrastructure, sustainability and digital transformation to resilience and innovation.

Delegates engaged in thought-provoking discussions, shared best practices, explored global trends and toured SPU’s North, Central and South campus, showcasing how strategic infrastructure investments are enabling student success, research excellence and institutional growth. Read more here: https://bit.ly/3TTtCDQ

ENACTUS SPU'S ALETRA ADVANCES TO TOP 15 IN THE 2026 MTN ENACTUS DIGITAL INNOVATION CHALLENGE

Enactus Sol Plaatje University is celebrating a significant achievement after Team Aletra advanced as a Top 15 Finalist in the 2026 MTN Enactus Digital Innovation Challenge. Developed to improve the safety of students living in off-campus accommodation, Aletra is an innovative hybrid digital and sensor-based solution that demonstrates how student-led entrepreneurship can address real societal challenges through technology. The achievement reflects Enactus SPU's commitment to innovation, social entrepreneurship and developing solutions that create meaningful impact within communities. Read more: https://bit.ly/4hV8kQ5

AN EVENING OF CONNECTIONS, COLLABORATION AND INSIGHT

Delegates attending the 5th HEFMA Chief Operations Officers Forum gathered for an evening of meaningful networking, collaboration and relationship-building, strengthening partnerships that will shape the future of higher education facilities management and operations.

Setting the tone for the evening, HEFMA President-Elect and Programme Director, Benedict Mochesela, reminded delegates that, “Higher education institutions are not just centres of learning; they are catalysts for change. Our responsibility is to turn knowledge into measurable impact.”

Reflecting on the first day of the Forum, SPU Chief Operations Officer, Dr David Kanguwe, emphasized the broader purpose of the sector: “HEFMA exists for more than buildings, budgets and operations. Its true purpose is to unite us in transforming lives and creating opportunities for the students we serve.”

Adding his perspective, University of Johannesburg Chief Operating Officer, Dr Mpoti Ralephata, noted: “We are not merely maintaining infrastructure; we are enabling a nation. Every decision we make contributes to leaving South Africa better than we found it.”

Concluding the evening's reflections, Vhembe TVET College Deputy Principal: Corporate Services, Mr Silas Ramolivho, issued a call to action: “A better life for all cannot remain a slogan. It must become the outcome of the decisions we make today, the leadership we provide tomorrow, and the action we take together.”

The evening underscored a shared commitment among higher education leaders to drive innovation, strengthen institutions and create lasting impact through collaboration and thought leadership.

COST CENTRES TO STRATEGIC ASSETS

At the 5th HEFMA COO Forum, Mr Lalit Agarwal, President and CEO of APPA, shared an insightful international perspective on the evolving role of facilities leadership in higher education.

His presentation challenged institutions to view buildings as strategic assets rather than cost centres, highlighting how innovation, collaboration and effective framing can strengthen decision-making, unlock investment and drive institutional success.

Agarwal remarked, "Concrete cracks the same way, no matter where you are." While contexts may differ, the challenges and opportunities for facilities leaders are shared across the globe."

LEADING BEYOND OPERATIONS

SPU's Chief Operating Officer, Dr David Kanguwe, reflected on the University’s remarkable growth journey and the strategic role of operational leadership in shaping the future of higher education.
In his presentation, Dr Kanguwe highlighted SPU’s evolution from a young institution established in 2014 to a thriving university serving more than 9,000 students, supported by significant infrastructure development and a growing campus footprint. He underscored the importance of preserving Kimberley’s rich heritage while creating modern, inclusive spaces that support learning, innovation, and community development.

Dr Kanguwe also challenged operations and facilities leaders to embrace their roles as thought leaders, driving institutional growth, innovation and meaningful change across the higher education sector.

As SPU continues to expand its impact, the University remains committed to building a future that honours its history, advances excellence and creates opportunities for generations to come.

CAMPUS OF THE FUTURE: RETHINKING SPACE, PLACE AND PURPOSE

Professor Alexandra den Heijer of Delft University of Technology joining in online, challenged delegates at the 5th HEFMA Chief Operations Officers Forum to reimagine the future of university campuses in an era of rapid change, digital transformation, and evolving workplace practices.

Drawing on more than three decades of research in campus and real estate management, Prof den Heijer highlighted how higher education institutions are transitioning from traditional, space-bound environments to more flexible and interconnected models. Using the metaphor of solid, liquid, and gas, she explored how campuses must balance physical spaces, virtual engagement, and community building to remain relevant, sustainable, and effective.

Prof den Heijer emphasised that facilities and infrastructure are no longer simply operational assets, but strategic resources that shape institutional performance, student success, research excellence, and campus experience.

OPERATIONAL EXCELLENCE DRIVES ACADEMIC SUCCESS

Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Teaching and Learning, Professor Paul Green, welcomed delegates to Sol Plaatje University at the Higher Education Facilities Management Association 5th Chief Operations Officers Forum, hosted in Kimberley. In his address, Prof Green highlighted the vital role that facilities management, infrastructure, and operations play in advancing the mission of higher education, "Excellent teaching requires inspiring learning spaces. Innovative research depends on reliable infrastructure. Simply put, there can be no academic excellence without operational excellence.”

He emphasised that inspiring learning spaces, reliable infrastructure, safe residences, digital connectivity, and inclusive campuses are essential to student success, staff well-being, research innovation, and institutional resilience. Prof Green encouraged delegates to use the forum as a platform for open dialogue, shared learning, collaboration, and sector-wide growth, noting that the challenges facing higher education require collective leadership and partnership.