Walking in Purple: NWU’s Bold Step to Support Students in Need
- Karen Scheepers
- Sep 9
- 3 min read
The North-West University (NWU) recently hosted its annual Purple Walk, a vibrant event that united staff, students, and alumni across its three campuses in support of learners facing financial difficulties. Held on Friday, 5 September, the initiative formed part of NWU Giving Week, a campaign dedicated to fostering generosity and hope while strengthening the institution’s commitment to student success.
A Week of Giving and Community Spirit
Running from 1 to 6 September, Giving Week was designed to highlight the power of collective action and compassion. Each day carried the central theme of creating pathways for students to overcome financial barriers and pursue their academic goals. The Purple Walk, held mid-week, became the highlight of the initiative by visually demonstrating solidarity: campuses were transformed into seas of purple as participants donned NWU regalia and walked side by side.
The walk itself spanned approximately three kilometres on each campus. While light in distance, its symbolic weight was heavy, representing the steps taken toward ensuring brighter futures for students. The event also served as a fundraising platform for the We Care Bursary Fund and the Student Debt Relief Initiative, which had already achieved 56% of its ambitious R250,000 target by the time of reporting.
Voices of Support from Leadership
Several university leaders took to the podium to underscore the significance of the Purple Walk.
Thato Lehutso, director of IT Services and acting campus chief director at Vanderbijlpark, reminded participants that every contribution makes a tangible difference: “Every rand goes directly towards ensuring that students can progress and complete what they have started.”
Prof Bismark Tyobeka, principal and vice-chancellor of NWU, framed the campaign as part of the institution’s identity: “Giving Week reflects the essence of who we are as a university: committed, united, and generous. Together, let us turn giving into a legacy of hope for our students, our communities, and the future we are building.”
Prof Sonia Swanepoel, deputy vice-chancellor for student life, transformation, people and culture and representative of the Mahikeng Campus, emphasised the power of unity in driving transformation: “Today’s walk is more than just three kilometres. It is a bold step for every student who has the talent, the drive, and the potential, but who is held back by financial barriers.”
Their messages collectively framed the Purple Walk not just as a symbolic show of pride, but as a catalyst for meaningful change.
The Impact of the Purple Walk
Beyond the colourful visuals of purple-clad walkers, the event carried measurable outcomes. With over half of the fundraising target already met, the campaign is contributing to financial relief for students who might otherwise face interruptions in their studies. Funds raised will directly assist with bursaries and debt alleviation, ensuring students can remain focused on their academic pursuits.
The walk also reinforced the university’s culture of compassion. By involving staff, students, and alumni, the event showcased a broad-based commitment to uplifting learners and demonstrated how shared responsibility can bridge gaps in access to education.
Building Bridges of Hope
The NWU Purple Walk represents more than a single day’s event. It embodies the university’s broader mission of empowering students through collective generosity and community engagement. By combining symbolic action with practical fundraising, NWU is working to ensure that financial obstacles do not stand in the way of potential.
The sight of campuses awash in purple may fade with time, but the impact of the walk, measured in bursaries awarded, debt relieved, and opportunities unlocked, will continue shaping lives long after Giving Week has concluded.
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