The North-West University (NWU) is committed to bettering the lives of the communities that we serve, and we are proud of our investment in our local communities to aid in their health, prosperity and development. The NWU is a unitary institution that has campuses in Mahikeng, Potchefstroom and Vanderbijlpark.

In addition to our 587 registered community engagement projects and the 490 community engagement activities that took place in 2021 alone, the NWU has embarked on a supplier development initiative aimed at developing small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs) in the areas where the university’s campuses are located. This forms part of the NWU’s Preferential Procurement Principles as adopted by Council. This means that – as far as possible – we involve local expertise in our facilities projects, and includes construction as well as maintenance services, subcontracting, skills development, labour and material and equipment supply. We are also proud to say that the NWU is transparent in its facilities building and procurement processes as we believe that, by working together, we can help secure a better future for all.

For our local communities this has meant that:

• 55 SMMEs were appointed on the new student housing project on the Mahikeng Campus.

• The targeted local expenditure for this project was R61,6 million and the actual local expenditure was R91 million.

• On the Vanderbijlpark Campus, the targeted local expenditure for the construction of the new Psychosocial building is R6 373 564.

• Since June 2022, R27 million has been awarded to local smaller subcontractors across the NWU’s campuses.

• In total, 76% of procurement expenditure can be recognised as B-BBEE spend, with 45% of that spent on companies with a level 1 and 2 B-BBEE rating.

• On the Mahikeng Campus, a subcontract for services was given to a female-owned cleaning service.

• On the Potchefstroom Campus, two local subcontractors have been appointed for the cleaning services for a duration of three years. In addition, two local SMMEs have been appointed for a landscaping and turf contract on the Potchefstroom Campus.

• The NWU has compiled a database of local jobseekers – general labourers and skilled labourers – to consult whenever a contractor needs labourers on site.

• An integrated digital database on which SMMEs can register and from which they can be sourced for quotations and closed tenders will be communicated to our local communities through our local media outlets early in 2023.

The NWU Council and management are dedicated to ensuring that the university adds value to the local communities that surround its campuses, and we are embedding these principles in policies and business processes to ensure that this vision is actively implemented and reported on. We are unwavering in our strategy to transform and position the NWU as a unitary institution of superior academic excellence with a commitment to social justice.

We are excited that our communities can be part of this journey and we thank you for your support.