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

NWU and TSA partner for South Africa’s first-ever multi-surface facility

The North-West University (NWU) is about to become a one-stop shop for all tennis players and enthusiasts. The university is in the development stage of upgrading its tennis facilities at the High Performance Institute in Potchefstroom with new multi-surface clay, grass and hard courts.

There are only two privately owned clay courts…

Occupational Hygiene students impress the industry

Six students studying occupational hygiene at the campus of the North-West University (NWU) in Potchefstroom each received a study bursary from Select PPE.

Select PPE is a leader in the acquisition and distribution of quality and application-specific products that protect people’s health and safety. The undertaking awarded only 22…

NWU gives his dreams wings

Speed, technology, adrenalin and the scent of rubber are all part of the dream of Shaun Botha, a master’s-degree student in mechanical engineering at the North-West University (NWU).

This will not remain a dream, however, as Shaun is equipping himself with the necessary expertise to help him achieve his dream to one day make a…

Phoenix tackles a new challenge

The North-West University’s (NWU’s) solar car Phoenix is at it again! The “glider"-based design car with a sun tracking solar array on its roof, will be chasing the sun once more during the 36-hour Endurance Challenge.

 This challenge will take place from 13 to 14 April at the Zwartkops Raceway in Gauteng. The Phoenix team…

Employers, shopping centres have a greater responsibility towards car guards

A master’s-degree student in occupational hygiene at the North-West University’s (NWU’s) campus in Potchefstroom recently conducted a unique study in which disturbing results were obtained regarding car guards’ exposure to the ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun.

Mahlako Nkogatse’s research under the supervision of Cynthia Ramotsehoa…

Condolences from the North-West University: Passing of Prof Tjaart van der Walt

It is with great sadness that the North-West University (NWU) community learned about the passing of the 85-year old Prof Tjaart van der Walt during the night of 22 February 2019.

Prof Tjaart van der Walt has done it all. Apart from the fact that he was rector of the former Potchefstroom University for Christian Higher Education (PU…

Budget speech: fiscal sustainability depends heavily on boost in growth rate

The 2019/20 budget speech given to Parliament on Wednesday, 20 February 2019, was a frank and realistic assessment of the extent to which the economic and fiscal challenges facing South Africa had escalated since the Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS) or mini-budget was presented in October last year. 

This is according to…

Transforming professionals into leaders

Sweet sixteen and still growing. It has been 16 years since the inception of the African Nutrition Leadership programme (ANLP), and this year it promises to be even bigger and better.

The North-West University’s (NWU’s) Centre of Excellence for Nutrition (CEN), together with a number of national and international partners, will be…

Young NWU scientist’s war on salt scores a win

It is alarming to see how many cardiovascular-related deaths are attributed to excessive salt consumption. These are the words of Michél Strauss who received the National Research Foundation’s (NRF’s) prestigious Young Science Communicator award.

“I entered the competition as I wanted to highlight the health risks associated with a…

Faculty of Law celebrates Bill of Rights and Convention on the Rights of the Child

The North-West University’s (NWU’s) Faculty of Law will host several events throughout 2019 to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Bill of Rights and the 30th anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC).

The first of these exciting events is an awareness march on 26 February followed by a public lecture by Ms…