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

Worse than expected GDP data highlights SA’s economic damage

“The worse than expected GDP data for the fourth quarter of 2019 confirms that not only did the South African economy experience a ‘technical recession’ in the second half of 2019, but that growth in 2019 as a whole was also only 0,2%.”

This is according to Prof Raymond Parsons, a well-known economist and academic from the North-…

RAG SRCS gives R2,2 million to community

It is a unique North-West University (NWU) tradition that you will find in few other places. This tradition encapsulates the spirit of the NWU’s students: a commitment to their community and the determination to ensure a better life for those the university serve.

It is the annual RAG Student RAG Community Service (SRCS) pay-out…

Huge hockey feather for NWU’s cap

The International Federation of Hockey (FIH) announced that the North-West University (NWU) will host the 2021 Junior Women’s Hockey World Cup in Potchefstroom.

Although no dates have been confirmed it is a massive coup for both the NWU and the city as the ninth iteration of the tournament – which started in 1989 – will draw players…

NWU alumna appointed as Amplats CEO

North-West University (NWU) alumna Natascha Viljoen is not only breaking boundaries, but is also flying the university flag high. She was recently appointed as the new chief executive officer for Anglo Platinum (Amplats).

Natascha, who will take up her new role on 16 April,  is the first woman to head the world's largest primary…

Game, set, match: NWU and TSA are ready to serve

The North-West University (NWU) and Tennis South Africa (TSA) will be the centre of attention when they host the Potchefstroom Open, an Association for Tennis Players (ATP) Challenger 50 event.

This tournament will take place from 9 to 15 March at the Fanie du Toit sports grounds in Potchefstroom. With close to 200 players from…

Budget speech: Difficult policy choices still lie ahead for SA

“The budget confirms the extent to which the South African economy still finds itself in a bad space, requiring a strong emphasis on measures to boost job-rich growth.”

This is according to Prof Raymond Parsons, a well-known economist and academic from the North-West University (NWU) Business School.

“Finance Minister Tito…

Dire need for research to improve child literacy

It is no secret that language development is a critical part of a child’s overall development. Sadly, the lack of this development and the terrible effects this may have on one’s life are often overlooked.

Prof Leenta Grobler, leader of the Medical Device Development group at the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Faculty of…

Passion and knowledge = innovation

You will find innovation for new ideas, projects and devices in abundance at the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Faculty of Engineering – and the same applies when it comes to three students in Computer and Electronic Engineering.

Izak Adendorff, Gerno Visser and Duhan Janse van Rensburg were merely looking for something to do…

Latest inflation data confirms stagflation in SA: NWU economists hit the target with prediction

The latest inflation statistics for January 2020 released by Stats SA on 19 February 2020 indicate that the annual (year-to-year) inflation increased by 0,5% to a rate of 4,5%.

In an earlier article [N1] at the beginning of February, the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Prof Danie Meyer and Roan Neethling, a…

NWU downs old foe Shimlas

The old foe has fallen. On Monday 17 February the North-West University (NWU) claimed its first scalp in the 2020 Varsity Cup season when the boys in purple beat Shimlas 27-19 in Potchefstroom.

A packed Fanie du Toit sports field saw the host score three tries through Eugene Harem, Danny du Plooy and Akhona Nela.

Flyhalf…