The North-West University (NWU) will make 324 beds immediately available as it prepares to start the 2022 academic year in style.

A 1 738 multi-funded student housing complex was officially handed over for occupation on Thursday, 10 February 2022, at the university’s Mahikeng Campus.

This milestone comes on the eve of the welcoming new students on NWU campuses, as well as the official opening of the institution’s 2022 academic year.

“Over the past five years the NWU, in partnership with the Department of Higher Education and Training, has identified the need for additional student housing in Mahikeng. We are happy to confirm that the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, Dr Blade Nzimande, formally approved the continuation of this R463 million project on 30 June 2020,” the NWU said in a previous statement. Read more here….

Speaking at the handover function, Prof Sonia Swanepoel, Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Community Engagement and Mahikeng Campus Operations, expressed her appreciation to everyone involved in bringing this massive project to fruition despite hardships brought about by Covid-19.

She further announced that the Student Campus Council would run a competition in efforts to allow students themselves to come up with a suitable name for the new facility.

Even more important, said Prof Swanepoel, would be joint efforts to inculcate a culture of stewardship to impress upon all NWU students the importance of taking care of all facilities available to them during their studies. (Listen – sound clip, Prof Swanepoel)

The NWU also remains grateful for funding provided by the IEG grant, National Treasury’s BFI grant, and a DBSA loan.

 A view of the NWU Mahikeng Campus’ new spacious student housing units.

Herman Steyn and Thabani Mhlongo take ownership of the new building. With them is the NWU’s Mascot, Eagi (left), and far right, Prof Sonia Swanepoel, DVC: Community Engagement and Mahikeng Campus Operations.