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 students donate R3,8 million to charity

R3,8 million, an amount that changes lives, that makes a difference to those who need it most.

On 2 March the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Student Rag Community Service (SRCS) donated R3 837 359,37 to various charities, schools, organisations and people in need during its annual pay-out function.

Founded in…

NWU and Norway declare war on microplastics

Bags and products made from plastic components have made life easier, but this lifestyle of luxury and convenience comes at the cost of our oceans and marine wildlife.

Researchers from the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management, together with the Norwegian Genok Centre for Biosafety, have…

NWU’s Faculty of Law marches for the rights of children

More than 200 people participated in the North-West University’s (NWU’s) awareness march 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 march took place on 26 February at the NWU’s campus in Potchefstroom, bringing students, staff, children and…

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…