Sefako Makgatho University Chancellor Dr Edna Molewa welcomes the appointment of the first Vice-Chancellor of Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University
The Chancellor of the Sefako Makgatho Health Services University and Environmental Affairs Minister, Dr Edna Molewa, has extended her congratulations to Professor Chris De Beer on his appointment as the first Vice-Chancellor of the University.
Prof de Beer is the first Vice-Chancellor of the University, having served in the position in an interim capacity since 1 July 2015.
The appointment of Prof De Beer resulted from a rigorous and competitive process of recruitment and selection.
“The appointment of Prof de Beer in a permanent capacity as the first Vice-Chancellor and Principal is a proud moment and yet another milestone for this fledgling university,” said Dr Molewa.
Dr Edna Molewa joined the University Council in expressing support for Prof de Beer who was appointed following a rigorous process.
“Sefako Magkatho University is fortunate to have someone with Prof de Beer’s experience, knowledge and abilities to lead the institution into the future, a future in which this university will elevate the benchmark for the training of health professionals in South Africa, and Africa,” said Dr Molewa.
Dr Molewa also thanked and congratulated the Council for ensuring a meticulous and transparent process in making these appointments that will see the university realizing its vision of ensuring knowledge and quality health services.
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About Prof De Beer
Prof Chris de Beer hails from the District Mahikeng and matriculated from Hoërskool Lichtenburg.
He holds the following tertiary qualifications: BJur et Art (PU for CHE) (NWU), LLB (Cum laude) (PU for CHE) (NWU), LLM (RAU) (UJ), LLM (UWC), Drs Juris (Leiden, Netherlands), LLD (Leiden, Netherlands)
Prof de Beer has also been admitted as an Advocate of the High Court of South Africa.
After completing his LLB, he accepted a full-time appointment as lecturer in the Faculty of Law at the Potchefstroom University, where he was subsequently promoted to Senior Lecturer and Professor. During this time Prof de Beer published a number of articles in peer reviewed and accredited journals and contributed to legal publications and research reports on negotiable instruments, the legal position of slaves and access to early legal jurisprudence at the Cape.
Since becoming involved in tertiary education, Prof de Beer held the following management positions:
At the Potchefstroom University:
- Head of Department (Department of Mercantile Law), Deputy Dean (Faculty of Law) and Dean (Faculty of Law)
- At the University of Pretoria:
- Registrar, Vice-Principal and Senior Vice-Principal
- At SMU:
- Interim Vice-Chancellor
Prof De Beer hold/held a number of Ministerial appointments such as: Administrator to the University of Zululand, member of the Interim Council of the newly established University of Mpumalanga and later as a Ministerial appointee on the full Council, Administrator/Compliance Officer of the NIHE (Mpumalanga) and the NIHE (Northern Cape), respectively, with the mandate to disestablish the said NIHE’s, and member of the Council for Higher Education.
Prof de Beer also assisted the Department of Higher Education and Training with a project aiming at the revision of the Higher Education Act, 1997, as amended. The Higher Education Amendment Bill, which was passed by the Parliament on 24 May 2016, resulted from this initiative.
Prof de Beer’s career in tertiary education spans a period of 46 years, with 24 years in Senior Management at various institutions.
During his term of office, Prof de Beer has served on numerous committees and task groups of HESA and its predecessors, among others on the Legal and Human Resources Committees.
He is a member of the SA Akademie vir Wetenskap en Kuns and of ASSAf and has a keen interest in sport and has made an impact as sport manager and administrator.
