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

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…

2020 SONA: From promises to hope

Prof Danie Meyer, director of the TRADE research focus area at the North-West University (NWU), and Roan Neethling, a doctoral student, discuss the main themes from president Cyril Ramaphosa’s fourth state of the nation address (SONA) that was delivered on 13 February 2020.

1. Collaboration and social compacts: The president…

SONA: Positive impact of policy framework will depend on successful implementation and collaboration with private sector

“The wide-ranging state of the nation address (SONA) delivered by president Cyril Ramaphosa to Parliament recognised the grave socio-economic challenges currently faced by South Africa, especially its low growth and high unemployment.”

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

NWU student receives international award as best achiever

Although the BHSc degree in occupational hygiene is relatively new to South Africa and Africa, the North-West University (NWU) recently raised its hand and received excellent praise and accolades in the global arena in this discipline.

The International Occupational Hygiene Association (IOHA) has generously sponsored the Bachelor of…

South African economy in crisis! No electricity capacity, no economic growth and development

The latest publication by Statistics SA on the electricity generated in the country was released on 6 February 2020 and indicated that electricity generation decreased by 4,0% year-on-year from December 2018 to December 2019.

Prof Danie Meyer, director of the TRADE research focus area of the North-West University (NWU), says the…

Calamity showcases NWU’s resolve

When it comes to RAG festival memories, 2020 would surely stand out, as it marked the first time in 53 years that there was no float parade through the streets of Potchefstroom.

You would think it would be all doom and gloom, right? However, the unfortunate incidents that lead to this, also proved to be a showcase of the composure,…

BRICS sponsors NWU visit to study Russian coal technology

Water is a scarce commodity in drought-stricken South Africa. One area where water can be saved is in the processing of coal, which traditionally uses large amounts of water.

Keeping this in mind, two engineers from the North-West University’s (NWU) School of Chemical and Minerals Engineering visited Siberia last year with the aim…