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
New species named in honour of NWU academic
According to Sir David Attenborough, who has at least 17 species named in his honour, having a species named after you is the “biggest of compliments that you could ask from any scientific community.”
Internationally acclaimed North-West University (NWU) researcher, Prof Nico Smit was recently complimented in such a way.
…
#theArtofResearch – making health science more accessible
It is no secret that the Hypertension in Africa Research Team (HART) at the North-West University (NWU) is at the forefront of in-depth research. Over the past year they have demonstrated yet again that their mission is to conduct research that could solve many health-related problems that affect young and old.
Recently, HART…
Crime and punishment, but what about rehabilitation?
The South African penal system has failed and as a result crime remains out of control. This is the harsh and uncomfortable reality that is plaguing society, and the country’s haunting crime statistics attest to that.
One reason for this is the lack of rehabilitation opportunities available to offenders. The allure of falling back in…
NWU study investigates anti-apartheid themes in Setswana poetry
North-West University (NWU) academic Karabo Mangwekea recently conducted a study to explore the prevalence of anti-apartheid themes in transitional and modern Setswana poetry.
The study…
Space, billionaires and our new age of going to the heavens
There was a time when superpowers fought proxy wars and the world teetered on the brink of oblivion. There was a time when men rode behemoths called Redstone, Atlas, Titan and Saturn to the heavens underneath hundreds of thousands of pounds of thrust, and the names Sputnik, Laika, Gagarin, Shepard and Glenn…
Covid-19 tragedy is more than just numbers
Numbers are a part of life. And although we might be getting numb, disconnected and desensitised to all the numbers with which we are bombarded daily, we should not get used to them. We should not lose sight of what they mean, explains Professor Alida Herbst, Director of the School of Psychosocial Health at the North-…
Erica writes her way to first place
A writer will often say that they find writing more difficult than the average person, but for North-West University (NWU) student Erica Harris writing is seemingly effortless.
Erica, who is pursuing a master’s degree in media studies, was recently announced as the winner of the RSG…
NWU School of Music launches book on musicing and spirituality
On 3 December 2021, authors and members of the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Musical Arts in South Africa: Resources and Applications (MASARA) research niche area hosted a hybrid launch of the book titled Ritualised belonging: Musicing and spirituality in the South African context.
Extraordinary professor June Boyce-Tillman, Prof…
Renovation of Education Library
The extension and renovation of the Education Library (C6c) on the Potchefstroom campus will start in January 2022. Site handover will take place on 11 January and the estimated time of completion is July 2022.
The spaces of the current Education library will be renovated and a double storey extension will be added to the front of the…
Professor Phil van Schalkwyk delivers inaugural lecture
Professor Phil van Schalkwyk delivered his inaugural lecture, titled: Die lewende verlede van die letterkunde (Literature’s living past).
His lecture focused on carrying out an exploration of the human relationship with the past, specifically in a literary-artistic context. In the…