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 research: The effect of veld fires on air quality, climate and human health

The South African Weather Service issues on an annual basis numerous warnings on veld/bush fires that have the potential to cause significant damage to the environment and infrastructure. These fires are not only a South African problem, they are also an international hazard.

Prof Paul Beukes, Prof Pieter van Zyl and Dr Micky…

SA needs more strenuous efforts to break out of ‘low growth trap’

According to renowned economist Prof Raymond Parsons from the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Business School, South Africa will need to make much more strenuous efforts to break out of the ‘low growth trap’ into which a recession has now pushed it.

He says that the extent to which the latest Gross Domestic Product (GDP) figures for…

Research explores preferences of game meat eaters

Earlier this year, Statistics SA stated that over six million South Africans are currently unemployed. With the country’s current economic climate resulting in shrinking opportunities for formal employment, more and more South Africans are turning to entrepreneurship.

North-West University (NWU) Tourism Research in Economic Environs…

Superlative NWU unbeaten in Varsity Netball 2018

Forget the recent cold front; the North-West University (NWU) is white-hot in the opening rounds of the Varsity Netball tournament.

The NWU squared off against the University of Johannesburg (UJ) in their opening bout of the competition on 26 August in Bloemfontein, where they comfortably won 77-27. Player of the Match Monique…

South Africa’s most economic significant leisure activity is under severe threat

The extreme pollution in a number of South Africa’s rivers, dams and marine systems is posing a threat to the country’s R52 billion recreational fishing industry.

Prof Melville Saayman, director of the research focus area Tourism Research in Economic Environs and Society (TREES) at the North-West University (NWU), in conjunction with…

Jurumani talks trends with engineering students

Jurumani Solutions visited the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Faculty of Engineering on 8 August to talk to students about the latest trends in the world of information and communication technology.

The reason for the visit was to share ideas on how students can plan their future careers within the technology industry, emphasising…

NWU researcher is finalist for 2018 Women in Science Awards

Prof Ilani Loubser, an associate professor at the Centre for Space Research and also the subject chair of physics at North-West University's (NWU's) campus in Potchefstroom, has been announced as a finalist in the Department of Science and Technology’s (DST’s) South African Women in Science Awards (WISA).

These annual awards recognise…

Public lecture examines completion rate of SA’s postgraduate students

A number of South Africa’s postgraduate students are studying part time and have a lower completion rate as compared to their international counterparts.

Prof Refilwe Phaswana-Mafuya, the North-West University’s (NWU’s) deputy vice-chancellor for research and innovation, invited Prof Dr Supa Pengpid, renowned public health scientist…

NWU Community nursing students assist in Health Promotion

Staff members at the School of Nursing Science, North-West University (NWU), Potchefstroom Campus have a close relationship with the Mother and Child health Coordinators Sr. Petro Swanepoel (Tlokwe sub-district) and Sr. Miemie van Jaarsveld (Matlosana sub-district). Part of the curriculum of the second year community nursing students’…

NWU chief IT director joins Apereo Board

Boeta Pretorius, chief director of Information Technology (IT) at the North-West University (NWU), was recently elected as a board member of the Apereo Foundation at its annual meeting in Montreal, Canada.

The Apereo Foundation is a non-stock, non-profit corporation that consists of a network of higher education institutions. It…