Potchefstroom Campus News

Prof Hans du Plessis: A literary giant passes away

He was of a different ilk. His immense literary stature cast a shadow under which so many South Africans found solace and comfort. Now, it is with sadness but also gratitude for the many contributions he made both culturally and academically, that the North-West University (NWU) has to say farewell to Prof Hans du Plessis, who passed away on Friday 24 October at the age of 79. 

Prof Hans was a beloved NWU faculty member since his appointment in 1981 as a professor in Afrikaans at the former Potchefstroom University for Christian Higher Education.

He was an esteemed writer,… Read more

Celebrating tourism month: Why tourism matters for economic growth

The North-West University (NWU) is celebrating Tourism Month, and when it comes to tourism experts in the country, the NWU’s research unit Tourism Research in Economics, Environs and Society (TREES) has distinguished itself as a leader in its field.

In our ongoing series of articles, we take a closer look at what TREES are doing to…

More interest rate reductions likely if inflation outlook continues to improve

The widely expected pivot for the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) to now commence its interest rate cutting cycle by a modest 25 basis points (bps) is good news for business and consumers.

In commenting on the decision by the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) on 19 September Prof Raymond Parsons, economist from the Business school of…

Celebrating Tourism Month with TREES: Tourism matters to all

The research unit Tourism Research in Economics, Environs and Society (TREES) at the North-West University (NWU) has established itself as a leading research unit focusing on sustainable tourism.

TREES distinguishes itself by conducting innovative research on the economic, environmental and social impacts of tourism, and in promoting…

Orchids everywhere as library celebrates spring with award-winning botanical art

Spring starts in September, and in honour of the new season, a special exhibition of amazing art is adorning the walls of the Ferdinand Postma Library on the Potchefstroom Campus of the North-West University (NWU).

Artworks of flowers are everywhere. Not of the common or garden variety of blossoms, but of some of South Africa’s most…

PhD students shine in FameLab Competition

North-West University (NWU) students Luciano Willemse, a PhD student in biochemistry, and Nadia Olivier, a PhD student in pharmacology, excelled in the virtual provincial FameLab competition held on 10 September.

Luciano’s presentation, titled “Evaluating the effect of a diet high in polyunsaturated fatty acids (from fish oil) in a…

Eagles gear up for crucial final matches in push for Varsity Netball semi-finals

With only two games remaining in the Varsity Netball round-robin stage, the North-West University (NWU) faces a crucial period in their campaign as they fight to secure a place in the semi-finals. Despite a challenging weekend, where NWU suffered a 64-39 loss against the University of Johannesburg (UJ), the team remains focused on their goal.…

School of Industrial Psychology and Human Resource Management impresses at SABPP awards

The North-West University’s (NWU’s) School of Industrial Psychology and Human Resource Management was recently recognised in two categories of the 2024 South African Board for People Practices (SABPP) Awards.

The school won an award in the category Best University in People Practices and Governance (PPG) Standards Alignment, and Debbie…

Alumnus honoured with top industrial engineering award for his work in agriculture

North-West University (NWU) alumnus Chris van Dyk recently received the Southern African Institute for Industrial Engineering’s (SAIIE’s) Best Industrial Engineering Practitioner - Employer's Choice Award.

This award highlights his contributions to the field of agriculture and the respect he has earned from peers and employers as…

Scholar honoured with prestigious Jan H Marais Prize

Prof Wannie Carstens, an accomplished Afrikaans scholar at the North-West University (NWU), was recently honoured with the Suid-Afrikaanse Akademie vir Wetenskap en Kuns (the South African Academy of Science and Arts) Jan H Marais Prize for his outstanding academic work in Afrikaans.

The prestigious prize ceremony took place at…

Rick Turner’s life immortalised in new book

He was a visionary thinker, an activist against an oppressive regime, but also a forgotten figure. No longer. Wits University Press recently released the book Rick Turner's Politics as the Art of the Impossible to universal acclaim, with it even being named News24’s Book of the Month for August.

Gideon van Riet, a senior lecturer in…