:Ntate Daniel Kgwadi
{{Short description|South African academic administrator (1967–2023)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| honorific_prefix =
| name = Ntate Daniel Kgwadi
| honorific_suffix =
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| office = Rector of the North-West University Mahikeng Campus
| term_start = 2004
| term_end = 2014
| deputy =
| predecessor = Office established
| successor = Maselesele, M.
| office2 = Vice-Chancellor of the North-West University
| term_start2 = 2014
| term_end2 = 2021
| predecessor2 = Eloff, T.
| successor 2 =
| birth_name =
| birth_date = {{birth year|1967}}
| birth_place = Kraaipan, Western Transvaal, South Africa
| death_date = 30 April 2023 (aged 55–56)
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| nationality = South African
| otherparty =
| spouse = Mable
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| education =
| alma_mater = Ball State University, Potchefstroom University for Christian Higher Education, University of the North and University of Bophuthatswana
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Ntate Daniel Kgwadi (1967 – 30 April 2023) was a South African academic administrator who served as the vice-chancellor of Vaal University of Technology and as the vice-chancellor and previous rector of the North-West University in South Africa.
Early life
Kgwadi was born in Kraaipan, Western Transvaal, South Africa. He matriculated at Kebalepile High School, Mafikeng. He obtained degrees: a BSc from the University of Bophuthatswana, an MSc in Physics from Ball State University, an MPhil from University of the North in South Africa, and a PhD in Physics Education from Potchefstroom University for Christian Higher Education in South Africa. He married Mable Kgwadi.{{cite web |url=http://www.nwu.ac.za/sites/www.nwu.ac.za/files/files/i-governance-management/cv/Dan%20Kgwadi%20Eng%20CV.pdf |author=van Rensburg, M. |date=18 April 2017 |title=Prof Ntate Dan Kgwadi |publisher=NWU}}{{cite web |url=http://www.puk.ac.za/opencms/export/PUK/html/fakulteite/natuur/snwto/Newsletter/SN-Jul-2006.pdf | title=Dan Kgwadi, appointed {{as written|hono|urary [sic]}} professor in the SSMT |publisher= Sediba News, Newsletter of the Sediba Project 11 |access-date=7 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180830174414/http://www.puk.ac.za/opencms/export/PUK/html/fakulteite/natuur/snwto/Newsletter/SN-Jul-2006.pdf |archive-date=30 August 2018}}
Career
Kgwadi taught at Phatsima High School. In 2004, with the start of North-West University, Kgwadi was appointed rector at the Mafikeng campus of the university. He occupied this position until 2014.{{cite web |url=http://africanbrains.net/2013/11/25/premier-congratulates-n-west-varsity-vice-chancellor/ | title=SA: Premier congratulates N West varsity vice chancellor|publisher=African Brains |author= Mcilhone, M.|date=25 November 2013|access-date=7 August 2018}}
=Vice–chancellor=
In 2014, the then vice-chancellor Theuns Eloff resigned after a video surfaced showing first year students doing a Hitler salute, although an investigation showed no racial intent. Eloff resigned as a sign of goodwill.{{cite web |url=https://www.sabreakingnews.co.za/2014/03/07/nwu-vice-chancellor-steps-down-after-nazi-salute-scandal/ |title=NWU Vice-Chancellor Steps Down After Nazi-Salute Scandal |date=7 March 2014|access-date=6 August 2018|publisher=SA Breaking News}} Kgwadi was appointed Vice-Chancellor of the university with effect on 1 April 2014. Kgwadi was the first black, non-Afrikaans speaking vice-chancellor.{{cite web |url=https://www.news24.com/Archives/City-Press/North-West-Universitys-Ntate-Dan-Kgwadi-new-captain-of-the-ship-20150429 |title= North-West University's Ntate Dan Kgwadi: new captain of the ship |publisher=City Press newspaper |date=8 December 2013 |access-date=6 August 2018}} He was based at the head office in Potchefstroom.{{cite web |url=https://citizen.co.za/news/south-africa/139534/lessons-from-afrikaans/ |publisher=The Citizen newspaper|author=Venter, C.|date= 7 March 2014 |title=NW varsity gets first black head|access-date=6 August 2018}}{{cite web |url=https://www.nihss.ac.za/content/document/north-west-university%E2%80%99s-ntate-dan-kgwadi-new-captain-ship |title=North-West University's Ntate Dan Kgwadi: new captain of the ship |publisher=NIHSS|access-date=7 August 2018}}
When Kgwadi assumed the vice-chancellor's office, Afrikaans was the language spoken by more than 50% of the students. Interpreter programmes (in class) were organized by the university.{{cite web |url=http://www.nwu.ac.za/content/nwu-interpreting-service-expands-schools|title=Interpreter services expand to school|access-date=7 August 2018 }} Students had the option to write exams in English or Afrikaans. Kgwadi's plan was to have no dominant language.{{cite web |url= https://mg.co.za/article/2015-08-13-kgwadi-no-plan-to-curtail-afrikaans-at-nwu |title=No plan to diminish Afrikaans at NWU |publisher=Mail& Guardian newspaper|author= Nkosi, B.|access-date=6 August 2015|date=13 August 2015}}{{Cite web |url=https://www.pressreader.com/south-africa/sunday-times/20180701/281809989640122 |title= There is no such thing as separate but equal|publisher=Sunday Times |date= 1 July 2018 |author=Govender, P}}
On the 7 November 2021, he submitted a letter of resignation to the North-West University stating that he will be leaving the institution to continue his career in the Vaal University of Technology. Prof. Kgwadi still served as the Vice-Chancellor of North-West University until 31 January 2022, as required by the employment contract.{{cite web |title=Resignation of the principal and vice-chancellor, Prof Dan Kgwadi |url=https://news.nwu.ac.za/resignation-principal-and-vice-chancellor-prof-dan-kgwadi |website=NWU |access-date=2 May 2023}}
Personal life and death
In April 2018, Kgwadi had a heart attack, but survived and continued to serve.{{cite web |url=
https://www.netwerk24.com/Nuus/Algemeen/dan-kgwadi-in-hospitaal-na-hartaanval-20180420 |title=(Afrikaans) Kgwadi in hospitaal na hart aanval. (translated=Kgwadi in hospital after heart attack)|publisher=network24|date=20 April 2018|access-date=6 August 2018|author=Gregan, E.}}
Kgwadi died on 30 April 2023.[https://www.news24.com/news24/southafrica/news/prof-dan-kgwadi-nwus-transformation-driver-dies-20230501 Prof Dan Kgwadi, NWU's 'transformation driver', dies]
Awards
A Honoris Causa PhD was awarded to him by the Hanseo University in Seosan, South Korea in 2010.{{cite web |url=http://www.nwu.ac.za/content/nwu-mafikeng-campus-news-campus-rector-honourary-doctorate|title=Mafikeng Campus Rector reached Honoury Doctorate}}