Judge Steven Majiedt, Mrs Lynnette Crouch, Mrs Rowena Majiedt and Professor Andrew Crouch
Sol Plaatje University (SPU) installed its second Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Professor Andrew M Crouch, at a ceremony held at the SPU Community Hall on Friday, 26 November 2021.
Professor Crouch took up office on 1 April 2020, but due to the national lockdown that went into effect at that time, this installation ceremony had to be postponed.
Professor Crouch was officially installed by the Chancellor of SPU Judge Steven Majiedt in the presence of the Premier of the Northern Cape Dr Zamani Saul, SPU council members, Executive Mayor of the Sol Plaatje Local Municipality Mr Kagisho Sonyoni, former SPU Chairperson of Council Judge Yvonne Mokgoro, former SPU Vice-Chancellor and Principal Professor Yunus Ballim, the Crouch family, the SPU Student Representative Council and members of the SPU community. A live stream of the ceremony was attended by over 300 viewers on YouTube and Kimberley TV in compliance with COVID-19 restrictions.
The event included a congratulatory message from the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation Dr Blade Nzimande, and heartfelt messages from Professor Priscilla Baker, a former student of Professor Crouch, and Professor Crouch’s daughter, Louise Crouch.
In his inaugural address, Professor Crouch emphasized his role in the university’s second phase of development (2020 – 2024) which is to continue from the first generation strategy (2015-2019) by implementing a 5-point plan that aims to: establish SPU as an innovative university embedded in the community; humanize teaching, learning and research; manage talent within the university; set a framework for student support and centralise this support; position SPU as a digital university as an enabler for learning, teaching and knowledge generation.
He spoke determinedly about ensuring that SPU inspires hope to the region and its people. “The persisting poverty, inequality, limited opportunities for youth due to slow economic growth and low growth are challenges that SPU can circumvent,” said Crouch. He said that only through education can the youth participate in the country’s future economy. “Education has been what bought me to where I am today, and it is through education that I would like to create hope, create peace, create opportunities and make dreams come true, no matter the odds,” concluded Crouch.
At the luncheon ceremony, which included the unveiling of the official portrait of Professor Crouch, Chancellor Judge Majiedt described Crouch as an academic leader who will chart forward the SPU project. “I do not doubt that with his vast history and experience in academia and leadership, this son of Kimberley will not only talk the talk but will walk the walk throughout,” said Majiedt.
The proceedings can be found on the university’s official YouTube channel at https://youtu.be/UMW9mI3y5Ww.