Graduation ceremonies bring back life to the Potchefstroom campus
North-West University (NWU) Potchefstroom campus has been bursting with life over the past weeks as students in graduation attire and dressed-up parents are attending in-person graduation ceremonies.
For the past two years the graduation ceremonies had been online because of the Covid-19 pandemic. However, this year the lawns and walkways were filled with photographers and friends celebrating the day with the NWU class of 2021 at their favourite spots like Lover’s Lane and the main law building.
@threestreamsmedia Thursday, 14 April, the Threestreamsmedia team had their first graduation ceremony for their degree in BA Communication. Congratulations to all 2022 graduates of all faculties. #threestreamsmedia #graduation #uni #students #honours #nwu #2022 ♬ End of the year recap longer version – Selene Aguilar
“Walking over the Sanlam Auditorium stage and having someone place the sash around your shoulders is a great feeling,” said Jacques Jacobs (24), who graduated with his BCom forensic accounting online in 2021 and graduated wit his honours in BCom forensic accounting in-person on 1 April 2022.
Jacques Jacobs (24) and his friend, Theunis van Wyk (23), on 1 April 2022 at the main law building on the Potchefstroom campus. PHOTO: Chanté du Plessis 
The lawn in front of the main law building was bursting with life after the graduation ceremonies on the Potchefstroom campus. PHOTO: Chanté du Plessis 
Guests watching the graduation ceremonies in the Amphitheatre on the Potchefstroom campus. PHOTO: Chanté du Plessis
Jacques Jacobs said that the energetic and exciting vibe in the auditorium during the ceremony could not be hindered by the absence of the guests, who had to watch the ceremony in the amphitheatre. To ensure that Covid-19 regulations were adhered to, graduates and guests were separated into two different venues.
Erika Ekkerd, the mother of Zelmari Ekkerd (21), who received her BCom international trade degree on 30 March, said that because Covid-19 regulations must be followed, she preferred to watch the graduation ceremony in the amphitheatre while her daughter received her degree in the auditorium.
Zelmari Ekkerd (21) and photographer Calvin Kaspersen (21), NWU student in BSc Natural Sciences with Geography and Zoology, posing for a picture on the Potchefstroom campus before her graduation ceremony on 30 March. PHOTO: Anchen Coetzee 
Zelmari Ekkerd (21) celebrated her BCom International Trade degree in Lover’s Lane on the Potchefstroom campus. PHOTO: Anchen Coetzee 
Zelmari Ekkerd (21) celebrating with a bottle of champagne in Lover’s Lane. PHOTO: Anchen Coetzee
“I would have loved to have had my parents in the auditorium with me so that they could see me walk across the stage in person, but they preferred to rather sit in the amphi to follow Covid regulations,” said Zelmari Ekkerd (21) about not having her parents in the Auditorium.
Bianca Vermaak (22), NWU graduate in BCom human resource management, said, “the ceremony was enjoyable, but it did feel quite empty and quiet in the auditorium without the guests.” Vermaak said she was relieved to have an in-person graduation ceremony although the circumstances were not ideal.
Louis Jacobs, Director of Corporate Communication and NWU spokesperson, said that there have been no problems with the graduation ceremonies that have taken place and that the live streaming of the events in the amphitheatre worked well. The graduation ceremonies started on 22 March and will continue well into April, with two ceremonies hosted each day. – By Anchen Coetzee and Chanté du Plessis