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

Cancer is not a death sentence – you can live life to the fullest

With October being Breast Cancer Awareness month, Prof Welma Lubbe from the North-West University’s (NWU’s) School of Nursing shares her story on surviving breast cancer and why awareness campaigns are necessary.

At the age of 41, and with no family history of cancer, Prof Lubbe was diagnosed with breast cancer.

Fortunately…

Much-needed leadership to support the tiniest humans

A few decades ago it was quite common for premature babies to die before their parents had even had the chance to hold them in their arms for the first time. The smaller the infant, the lower the chances of survival were.

However, during the past few decades, the survival of these tiny infants has received a lot of attention and…

Renowned sports psychologist captains new centre

The North-West University’s (NWU’s) Faculty of Health Sciences is taking its level of expertise to an even higher level with the recent appointment of its first director for the newly established NWU Centre for Health and Human Performance (CHHP).

Prof Pieter Kruger, a well-known sports psychologist in the global sports arena, will…

NWU faculties come together to improve postdoctoral fellowship

The eight faculties of the North-West University (NWU) and their postdoctoral fellows, who hail from all over the world, came together on 20 September at Crista Galli in Potchefstroom to discuss different ideas on how to improve the postdoctoral fellowship programme at the NWU.

After Prof Dan Kgwadi, NWU vice-chancellor, had…

Unchanged interest rates are a lost opportunity to send a more positive message

“With unchanged interest rates at this stage, the MPC has lost an opportunity to send a more positive signal to business and consumers, given the very low levels of confidence.”

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

“There is indeed…

Helping the most vulnerable

Academics at the North-West University (NWU) are not only passionate about teaching and learning, but also about engaging with communities about important issues.

Dr Lynn Preston and Dr Wanda van der Merwe from the Faculty of Education are going the extra mile to try and protect South Africa’s most precious citizens, children.

NWU Master’s students – the best of the best!

Students from the North-West University’s (NWU) Faculty of Engineering and Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences recently showed what they are made of when they defeated their peers from other universities.

This happened during the South African Telecommunications, Networks and Applications Conference (SATNAC) held in Ballito…

Pharmacen makes strides in third dimension research for a better life for all

For many years the world has attempted to address urgent issues in pharmaceutical research with the help of cultured cells, and the North West University’s (NWU’s) Centre of Excellence for Pharmaceutical Sciences (Pharmacen™) is using a new approach to get these answers.

They are working on advanced cell culture initiatives to grow…

98 minutes of glory is golden

Every community has a sports reporter like this; someone who can be one with the sorrows and joys of sports people.  They become the voice of winning or losing. We listen to them, because they were there. Every weekend, come sunshine, rain or hail, they are armed with notebook and sunscreen.

This description fits the Potchefstroom…

A picture is worth a thousand words

North-West University (NWU) alumni Riëtte Drevin, Annica Brink and Elzandré Ayres van der Walt are on a quest to prove with their photography exhibition that a picture is indeed worth a thousand words.

The trio is showcasing their work at the EGLAF Contemporary gallery in Potchefstroom, as part of the *EGLAF Arts Collective.