The Faculty of Humanities is dedicated to equipping students with the skills and knowledge necessary to excel in their professional careers. Our approach combines critical thinking with practical experience through In-Service Learning and Work-Integrated Learning (WIL), ensuring our graduates are well-prepared to make a significant impact in their respective fields.

Below are a few examples of how the Faculty of Humanities excels in engaged teaching and learning:

• The School of Music presents the renowned Musikhane community engagement project, one of the oldest music education initiatives in South Africa. In collaboration with local schools, Musikhane provides group music tuition on both Western and African instruments to approximately 220 children. Additionally, Musikhane partners with the Mosaic Community Centre to offer group instrumental lessons to local learners. The School of Music also performs weekly concerts for the residents of ‘Ons Hulde’ retirement home. Throughout the year, the School is involved in various musical productions and lessons for students and young residents in the community, including International Make Music Day, Kleuterproduksie, Ukulele Cubs, Mmino Fest, and Green Songs.
• The School of Communication offers practical opportunities for undergraduate and postgraduate students to develop entrepreneurial and professional skills. Students collaborate with community projects and NGOs to address communication and marketing challenges. One notable partnership is with the Abraham Kriel Children’s Home, where Graphic Design students participate in work-integrated learning by developing a brand illustration system.
• The School of Philosophy organizes a philosophical essay writing competition for undergraduate and postgraduate students. Winning essays are published in accredited journals, providing an excellent opportunity for academic teaching and learning while inspiring students to think critically and innovatively.

The Faculty of Humanities is dedicated to giving back to the community. Our mission is to empower communities and contribute to social welfare. We identify communities in need and provide essential donations, goods, and services to improve their quality of life and foster positive societal change. Students actively participate by offering their time and skills to local communities, particularly those in need. Our collective acts of service bring hope and empower individuals to overcome challenges.

The School of Languages offers first-year students an instructive and practical module to improve academic writing. This helps students adapt to the demands of higher education and the sociocultural atmosphere. Additionally, the School is involved in The Balang Foundation, which promotes reading literacy. This volunteerism enhances the lives of community members, equipping them for daily life and benefiting the community. The skilled staff in the School of Languages also provide valuable services such as language editing, translation, proofreading, and media reports for social media, radio stations, local media platforms, and community services.

In partnership with the Tswelelopele Empowerment Foundation, the School of Philosophy hosts the School Shoe Donation project. Donated school shoes are gifted to primary schools in the Barolong Boo Mariba villages, providing a life-changing gift to community members in need. The School also volunteers in rural communities by hosting a career exhibition and an annual Christmas dinner, positively impacting both young and old.

The School of Social Sciences offers career advice to school learners in the Ngaka Modiri Molema district, inspiring them to pursue a brighter future.

School of Philosophy Community outreach project: #WeAreHereToHelp

The North-West University School of Philosophy, Faculty of Humanities, in partnership with Tswelelopele Empowerment Foundation, is dedicated to uplifting the seven local communities of Barolong Boo Mariba through educational empowerment. Since 2021, they have hosted annual career exhibitions for grade 11 and 12 learners from Mothibinyane High School, Mothusi Marumuloa Secondary School, Kagiso Barolong Secondary School, and Ntshidi High School. However, recognizing challenges in university admissions, the organizations launched the #WeAreHereToHelp initiative, visiting schools on August 2, 2024, to assist learners with applications. Despite facing challenges like exam schedules and logistical issues, the event saw active participation and resource support from various stakeholders, with a focus on ensuring continuous assistance and improving future outcomes.

The Faculty of Humanities is dedicated to fostering social change and promoting justice. Our academic professionals extend their expertise beyond the university, contributing their knowledge and skills to uplift and empower communities.

Faculty members share their valuable expertise through hosting and attending workshops and conferences, serving as external examiners and moderators, conducting academic reviews, and speaking on local talk shows. They also represent the faculty on various committees at both local and national levels.

The School of Government Studies is involved in panel discussions and media commentaries on current affairs and political matters, especially as the government prepares for the aftermath of the 2024 elections. The School also hosts a debate competition on current affairs in the Dr. Kenneth Kaunda District Municipality, providing future leaders with opportunities to develop debating skills and create networks.

The School of Languages boasts chief and deputy editors of accredited journals and members of language committees in South Africa. Notably, it is home to the editor-in-chief of Literator as well as SALALS, journals publishing articles and essays on linguistics and literature. Staff members contribute their expertise through book club presentations, reading circles, radio interviews, and legal investigations. The School is also involved in the international exchange program, The Jongeren Project Network, which facilitates student exchanges between Southern Africa and the Low Countries.

Staff members in the School of Communication provide expert advice to profit organizations on communication issues and social media use for small businesses. Their contributions enhance business success, thereby benefiting communities economically and socially.

In collaboration with other faculties, the School of Philosophy annually hosts the NWU Forum, which fosters discussion and engagement on profound topics.

In collaboration with private partners, the School of Social Sciences developed a Smart app that provides information about tourism destinations, especially those related to history and heritage. This innovation enriches the historical and cultural knowledge of communities.

Droomwerk

"The poet Pieter Odendaal’s play Droomwerk was awarded the ATKV Woordveertjie for Best New Drama Text and nominated for the Hertzog Prize for Drama. Herschelle Benjamin calls Droomwerk a must-see, “a moving family drama with tremendous emotional impact, a spiritual event”" The Cape Robyn

 

"Droomwerk is vol emosie," Die Son

 

"Pieter Odendaal se toneelstuk ‘Droomwerk’ in boekvorm uitgegee," Netwerk24

 

Dr Pieter Odendaal is a senior lecturer in the subject group Creative Writing and was recently announced a winner in the Arts and Entertainment category of Mail & Guardian 200 Young South Africans for 2024.

Dr Odendaal's journey with spoken word poetry began as an undergraduate student in Stellenbosch in 2011, where he quickly developed a deep love for the art form. Surrounded by like-minded creatives at InZync Poetry sessions, he discovered the transformative power of poetry and decided it would be a lifelong pursuit.

“Facilitating workshops, researching the social and ecological transformations poetry can bring about, and teaching creative writing at the NWU have all reaffirmed my commitment to poetry,” he explains. Read more