Potchefstroom Campus News

Researchers demonstrate that conservation and development can go hand in hand

While cities in Africa expand rapidly and the pressure for economic growth is increasing, the protected areas on the continent face a complex challenge: how to conserve nature and empower people.

At the North-West University (NWU) the Protected Areas Research Group, led by Prof. Reece Alberts, Prof. François Retief, Prof. Claudine Roos and Prof. Dirk Cilliers, is working to find exactly that balance.

“Conservation areas are the cornerstone of biodiversity conservation,” says Prof. Alberts. “They are essential to prevent the loss in biodiversity. Yet, we have to admit that… Read more

NWU alumnus and male netball star is shining bright

North-West University (NWU) alumnus Thulani Tlhapi has proven that netball is not a sport only women can excel in.

Thulani, who currently plays for the Ikageng Classics, an all-male team based in Potchefstroom, recently represented the Dr Kenneth Kaunda district at the Spar National…

Father and daughter are both first years at the NWU

They say it’s almost an impossible task to come between fathers and their daughters, because of the special bond they share That is  definitely the case when it comes to Glenville Fransman and his daughter Miché Fransman.

Glenville and his daughter are currently both first years…

Why big game hunting in Botswana should open again

Numerous articles have recently been published on different online news platforms regarding the reopening of big game hunting in Botswana. Most of these articles try to put hunting in a bad light, or try to show that hunting does not contribute that much to the local economy of the country or region. Prof Peet van der Merwe from the North-West…

NWU’s McTronX is at the forefront of dynamic modelling and control of large-scale industrial systems

 The North-West University’s (NWU’s) McTronX research group has been at the forefront of dynamic modelling and the control of large scale industrial systems since 2003. Led by Prof George van Schoor, the group is multi-disciplinary and comprises four full-time staff members. These staff members include Prof Kenny Uren, who specialises in…

NWU Business School Think Tank – NSFAS and the consequences of government cost cutting

This past week the Business School at the North-West University (NWU) held a think tank focusing on the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS), and specifically on the consequences of government cost cutting in the 2021 budget with respect to tertiary education.

There was consensus that the consequences of a capital deficit have…

Greig’s career is in the fast lane at Tesla

Working for Elon Musk’s Tesla Inc. is a dream come true for North-West University (NWU) alumnus Greig Swanepoel.

Greig works for electric vehicle and clean energy company Tesla in Amsterdam in the Netherlands, where he is an application engineer for residential energy products in Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

Headquartered…

NWU athletes shine at SAs

As usual, athletes from the North-West University (NWU) asserted themselves at the recent South African Senior Athletics Championships and the NWU’s trophy cupboard is once again bursting at the seams.

This competition took place in Pretoria from 15 to 17 April.

Solid start for Eagles

The North-West University Eagles are off to a solid start in the 2021 Varsity Cup tournament with two wins from three games. They first beat the Madibaz from NMMU 47–28 and old rivals Shimlas 32–22 before André Pretorius’s side came undone against Tukkies in a resounding 33–15 loss.

Captain Chederick wants to return to form

Chederick van Wyk was born in the year of champions, and that is what he has become. The world first met this future sprinter on 18 February 1995, a few months before the Springboks lifted the Web Ellis Trophy on a historic afternoon at Ellis Park. Destiny also had a plan for the young boy from Prieska.

Calling all prospective engineers to take part in the NWU’s Engineering Saturdays

The North-West University’s (NWU’s) Faculty of Engineering understands how the minds of young prospective engineering students work.

To this end, the faculty has established Engineering Saturdays; a programme that allows Grade 10 to 12 learners to visit the faculty to get an idea of the different engineering disciplines that…