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
NWU researcher triumphant against all odds
Ontiretse Motingwa
North-West University (NWU) Prof Ferdinand Potgieter, a professor and sub-area leader for discipline in the research unit Education and Human Rights in Diversity (Edu-HRight), recently received notice of his C2-rating as an established researcher from the National Research Foundation (NRF).…
Drive to end child labour: South African curriculum should respond to this human rights violation
Alarming atrocities are perpetrated against our most vulnerable and innocent citizens, our children. We hear of these every day, but how often do we reflect on the scourge of child labour? There will be no child labour when laws that govern access to basic education are strengthened.
This was the statement made by Department of Basic…
It is time for Eskom to switch on private sector initiatives
It is time to buck the dusky trend. The national energy provider, Eskom, is haemorrhaging money at an unsustainable rate and is nearly R400 billion in debt. Equipment is failing, power outages have become the norm, while its energy availability factor (EAF) has fallen by almost 30% in just over a decade.
Up to 13 July, South Africa had…
Wide-ranging plan could be tipping point for energy challenges
President Cyril Ramaphosa’s plan to resolve the long-standing electricity crisis in South Africa could be the tipping point in turning around the country’s ability to more successfully meet its energy challenges.
Prof Raymond Parsons, economist from the Business School of the North-West University (NWU), says the president’s important…
Young NWU entrepreneur invited to attend Africa Young CEOs Summit in Ghana
By Oldrin Masowa
A great leader’s courage comes from passion. This is evident for North-West University (NWU) student, Kgothatso Kgogome, who is the founder and owner of Faith-Bakes. Having been raised by entrepreneurs, this Soweto-born young entrepreneur fell in love with entrepreneurship at the age of four.…
Fulbright scholar joins NWU to investigate secrets of serpentine ecology
A Fulbright scholar from the United States is joining the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management for 10 months to do research in a field where many stones are still unturned.
There are gaps in knowledge that scientists have about plant and insect species living on serpentinite rocks and filling in…
Microscopic wonder on yellow-bellied sea snake is a scientific breakthrough
Just as vastness induces awe, so there is wonder to be found in the miniscule. For Dr Roksana Majewska from the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences at the North-West University (NWU), this is an absolute truth. Before we zoom in, we need to talk about Hydrophis platurus – or the more friendly sounding yellow-bellied sea snake. This…
NWU cross country runner has his sights set on the stars
By Oldrin Masowa
North-West University (NWU) student Itumeleng Sesiko is an upcoming athletic star. He won his first national medal at the age of 10 from Athletics South Africa (ASA) and is now on his way to becoming a professional cross country athlete.
Itumeleng is set to represent the NWU athletics…
It’s all about the vintage – of wine as well as people
The older the wine lovers, the drier the wine they prefer, and the longer it takes to consume what they bought.
These are two of the findings of a recent study on the wine preferences of different age groups that the research unit TREES (Tourism Research in Economics, Environs and Society) undertook.
In the study, “That old…
Autistic viewpoint: representation of autism in popular culture
The seventh national Autism Symposium is taking place at the Potchefstroom Campus of the North-West University (NWU) from 30 June until 2 July 2022. The event highlights the realities of autistic persons and their families. It promises to deliver insightful perspectives by experts in the field.
This year the format will be a hybrid…