Ahead of the opening of the 2026 academic year, Higher Education and Training Minister Buti Manamela led a high-level oversight visit to the North-West University. Joined by Waseem Carrim, the acting chief executive of the National Student Financial Aid Scheme and senior Department of Higher Education officials, the minister assessed infrastructure, student accommodation, funding systems and campus safety.
The visit, which took place on 3 February 2026, formed part of the department’s broader provincial oversight programme aimed at testing universities’ operational readiness, with particular attention to academic preparedness, student support processes and long-term infrastructure planning.
Accompanied by NWU principal and vice-chancellor Prof. Bismark Tyobeka, Minister Manamela toured key facilities across the Mahikeng Campus, including newly developed residence clusters intended to strengthen accommodation capacity and improve student living conditions.
“We are honoured to host the minister as part of this oversight programme,” Prof. Tyobeka said. “The university is stable, well-governed and fully focused on ensuring that the 2026 academic year begins without disruption. Our priority remains creating an enabling environment for teaching, learning and research.”
Detailed readiness plans presented
University leadership presented a detailed operational readiness briefing covering application and registration systems, student funding coordination, first-year orientation planning, academic progression management and campus safety measures.
“Our systems are structured to support a smooth transition for both new and returning students,” said Prof. Linda du Plessis, senior deputy vice-chancellor for teaching and learning. “From funding support to academic planning and student well-being, we are confident in our level of preparedness.”
Infrastructure investment at the Mahikeng Campus also featured prominently, with senior management outlining projects designed to expand teaching spaces, improve residence capacity and strengthen the university’s research and community engagement footprint.
“These developments reflect sustained investment in the campus,” said Prof. Sonia Swanepoel, deputy vice-chancellor for student life, transformation, people and culture with the assigned function of the Mahikeng Campus. “They are focused on building sustainable operations while supporting growth in learning, research and community partnerships.”
Minister Manamela welcomed the institution’s readiness planning and infrastructure strategy, emphasising the importance of strong coordination between government, universities and funding agencies in ensuring a stable academic year.
“The work being done here demonstrates the value of proactive planning and institutional accountability,” he said. “Our collective responsibility is to ensure students are supported, campuses are secure and academic programmes proceed without disruption.”
The oversight engagement reinforced the Mahikeng Campus’ position in preparing for expansion and operational stability, as the university aligns infrastructure growth and academic systems with rising enrolment pressures ahead of the 2026 academic cycle
Student Campus Council members with Minister Buti Manamela, principal and vice-chancellor Prof. Bismark Tyobeka, and Prof. Linda du Plessis, senior deputy vice-chancellor for teaching and learning.
Minister Manamela, accompanied by Prof. Tyobeka and NWU Council member Rev. Piet Tlhabanyane, visiting the Animal Health Centre.
Video supplied by DHET
