13/05/2025
🎉 A Historic Day for Biokinetics at the NWU - North-West University ! 🎉
The NWU School of Human Movement Sciences (HMS), in collaboration with the NWU Centre for Health and Human Performance (CHHP), recently had the honour of welcoming the founding father of Biokinetics, Prof Gert Strydom, to officially open the brand-new Biokinetics Laboratory. 💪
Prof Strydom shared inspiring stories from his career, including the 16-year journey to have Biokinetics formally recognised in South Africa. He addressed a packed audience of staff, students, special guests, and family – and was warmly welcomed with a guard of honour by current HMS students. 📸
Prof. Strydom was formally welcomed by the Executive Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences, Prof. Awie Kotze, while Prof. Hans de Ridder, Director of the School of Human Movement Sciences, provided an official introduction to the audience. Words of thanks were delivered by Natasha Deley, President of the Biokinetics Association of South Africa (BASA), and Major General Hennie Grobler, a former student and former Deputy Surgeon General. Additional acknowledgments were shared by Dr. Tamin Veldsman, NWU Biokinetics Programme Leader; Prof. Andries Monyeki, Director of PhASRec; and Amie Gibson, a fourth-year Biokinetics student.
Prof Strydom was deeply moved to see the impact of his vision: over 3,000 registered Biokineticists in South Africa, programs at 11 universities nationwide, and professionals now practising in 10 countries across the globe — from Germany to Zimbabwe, and even in the USA! 🌍
The CHHP is proud to be one of the accredited facilities where Biokinetics interns gain hands-on experience, helping clients with everything from health promotion to injury rehabilitation.
Prof Strydom was also highly impressed with NWU’s state-of-the-art facilities — a proud moment for all involved. Truly, a day to remember! 🙌