MILESTONES, ACHIEVEMENTS, AND RECOGNITION: BELINDA BANTHAM

August 26, 2025 30

Megan Grobler

@megan_gro.bler

Have you ever wondered who is responsible for North-West University (NWU) newsletters and websites? Or NWU events? Maybe you’ve wondered who is behind the NWU corporate publications and articles? That would be the Communication Practitioner, Belinda Bantham and her team.

Their joint efforts behind the scenes keep students, staff, and parents informed about all the important events and changes happening on and around campus.

Having worked her way up to where she is today with determination, sacrifice, and love for the communication field, Belinda Bantham is a leader to aspire to in the field of communication at NWU.

Bantham grew up in a township called Boikhutso in Lichtenburg, where, at the time, there weren’t many success stories to look up to. She lived with her grandmother and aunt up until Grade 7, during which she was taught to focus on her education to become “someone big in life”. Bantham then lived with her parents from high school onwards, and with her father being a principal and her mother a teacher, education was taken very seriously in her household.

Bantham’s father had a study filled with books, especially Reader’s Digest collections, and at the young age of eight years old, she was introduced to the library. “From then on, I would get lost in those books for hours”, she explained.

This, she said, was what shaped her discipline, fuelled her love for reading, and laid the foundation for her passion for storytelling and communication.

What solidified her talent and love for writing was a high school English assignment where she had to write her own story, which moved her teacher to tears. It was her teacher who encouraged her to pursue a writing career, but Bantham said that she didn’t take her teacher’s advice seriously at the time.

At first, Bantham wanted to study Law as it was considered “cool” at the time. She ended up studying Law for a year, but quickly realised it wasn’t the path for her, after attending three Communication classes with a friend. “I immediately realised that this was where I truly belonged. I made the switch, and I have never looked back.”

Bantham explained that getting a job in the Communications field was very hard, so she settled for a job as a Web Administrator at Seeff Properties in Potchefstroom for two months. She then saw there was a vacancy for an admin assistant at the Law Faculty of NWU and applied, hoping to find work at the University. She got the job and started working in 2014. “I then saw a vacancy for an Intranet Officer in the Corporate Communications department, and the rest is history”, she explained. Bantham went on to express her gratitude to her director, Louis Jacobs, for taking a chance on her, as, according to her, she never thought she would be doing what she is if it wasn’t for him.

She added, “I really enjoy working with students, I love highlighting their achievements and telling their stories, it is always fun.”

Bantham highlighted some of the most significant milestones in her life and career so far. These include working her way up from Administrative Assistant to a Communications Practitioner at NWU, being honoured with her 10-year long service award, meeting high-profile individuals such as Springbok Rugby Coach Rassie Erasmus, government ministers, and the Premier of North West Province, and engaging with delegations visiting NWU.

She stated, “These experiences have not only strengthened my skills and confidence but have reinforced my passion for connecting with people, attending events, and sharing stories that make an impact.”

She described her experience in the Communications field as both challenging and rewarding. Bantham explained, “The work requires a diverse set of skills — from photography and writing to exceptional communication abilities — and sometimes last-minute changes happen, like being invited to cover an event unexpectedly.”

One of her favourite parts of working in her field, she explained, is providing media coverage at conferences and events. This has allowed her to meet a variety of new people and step out of her “shy shell”.

She went on to say that the hours spent in her father’s library have been invaluable in fuelling her creativity, helping her craft engaging stories, and supporting her problem-solving skills when unexpected events arise. Over time, she said that she has developed a stronger passion for writing, and discovered her talent for it.

When asked what her interests and hobbies outside of her day-to-day work are, she stated, “Beyond my main role, I am the Public Relations Officer for the North-West University Staff Sports Club in Potchefstroom, and I truly enjoy the work I do there — it allows me to combine my communication skills with my love for connecting with people.”

As a Communication Practitioner at NWU, Bantham’s role is diverse and dynamic. She writes and edits articles, supports events, and ensures that the university’s messaging reflects its values. She also writes for the university’s corporate publications, including the NWU Newsroom, Life.@NWU! Staff magazine, Impact.@NWU community engagement newsletter, NWU&U alumni magazine, and the Research.@NWU newsletter.

She is also responsible for publishing news articles for all three campuses on the university’s news website. She manages the creation, maintenance, and publication of expert profiles across campuses for the NWU Experts webpage. Moreover, she serves as the primary point of contact for news site-related enquiries. Lastly, she provides media coverage for delegations visiting the Vice-Chancellor’s office on request, as well as for conferences and other university events.

Outside of work, she highlighted her love for exploring libraries and reading. She further explained that if she’s not reading, she is spending time with her daughter. Other interests of Bantham’s include cooking and binge-watching reality shows, like The Kardashians and Come Dine with me.

When asked what Bantham loved most about her job, she said, “⁠What I love most about my work as a communications practitioner is being present — attending events, moving around, and meeting people. There’s something special about capturing moments as they happen and then sharing them in a way that others can connect with. Writing is where I bring those moments to life. It’s more than just reporting; it’s storytelling, and that’s where I feel most inspired. This job has taught me that I’m not as shy as I imagined. I enjoy being out at events, engaging with people, providing coverage, and, of course, dressing up and wearing heels while doing it.”

Her plans for the future include growing into a director-level role in communication, while diving deeper into the media field. “I enjoy being out at events, meeting people, and capturing the energy of those moments. I’m also passionate about storytelling and particularly love writing speeches that inspire and connect with audiences.”

Her goal is to continue developing her skills, take on bigger challenges, and create communications that have a meaningful impact.

Her advice to future journalists and communication practitioners is, “To be curious, adaptable, and fearless. Always try to understand the story behind the story, and don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone – attend events, meet people, and immerse yourself in the moments you want to capture. Develop strong writing skills, because the ability to convey ideas clearly and creatively is at the heart of this work. Finally, remember that communication is about connecting with people – listen, observe, and tell stories that matter.”

A motto Bantham lives by is, “This is it – we aren’t coming back. Life really is short, and we have no do-overs. If you don’t open yourself up to life, how can you ever be surprised? I try to embrace every moment, stay present, and make this one life truly count, because this is it!”

With Bantham’s extensive experience in the Communications field, ability to overcome her difficult circumstances, and her insightful life and career advice, she has paved the way for anyone aspiring to be something they might think is out of reach.