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

Meet our researchers

Researchers across the faculties at the North-West University (NWU) continue to produce exciting work in their fields of expertise.

Prof Andries Monyeki is the director of the research focus area Physical Activity, Sport and Recreation (PhASRec).

Dr Nicholin Scheepers is the programme leader at the Quality in Nursing…

Meet our researchers

Researchers across the faculties at the North-West University (NWU) continue to produce exciting work in their fields of expertise.

Prof Andries Monyeki is the director of the research focus area Physical Activity, Sport and Recreation (PhASRec).

Dr Nicholin Scheepers is the programme leader at the Quality in Nursing…

Researcher uses artificial mussels to monitor water pollution

Water pollution is a significant environmental issue with far-reaching impacts on society. It is not confined to local or regional boundaries and is exacerbated by climate change, leading to human health risks.

In dealing with such unprecedented risks to our water resources, what is needed is innovation – the kind of innovation embodied…

Colonial texts with a difference provide insight for today

The ongoing influence of colonialism can be seen across the world, as it has had a lasting impact on societies and cultures. In South Africa, the repercussions of colonialism have been particularly profound, marked by periods of Dutch and British rule.

A research project titled "Colonial Pasts and Transnational Futures", led by Dutch…

Plastic pollution is the downside to celebrations

Ten million tiny pieces of plastic are estimated to be lying on the lawn in front of the North-West University (NWU) Law Faculty in Potchefstroom, and the soil in the Fanie du Toit Sports Grounds also has high levels of plastic pollution. This is the downside of the celebrations that are often held in these spaces, where glitter poppers and…

“A Faculty Who Cares” goes the extra mile for learners

Grade 12 learners are on the brink of adulthood, facing decisions about their future careers and lifestyles. The weight of these decisions and expectations from parents, teachers and society can be overwhelming.

Amid their stresses and worries, they can count on the support of mentors such as Prof Fazel Freeks, associate professor and…

Unleashing the power of emotional intelligence

The postgraduate students (honours and master’s degree) of the Centre for Business Mathematics and Informatics (CBMI) were treated to a transformative workshop on emotional intelligence on Friday, 8 March 2024. The workshop is part of a series of engagements presented by ABSA to assist the North-West University (NWU) in preparing the students…

Sanmarie Visser persists with her netball dream

On the corner of Ds Abrey Beukes Drive and Jan de Klerk Way in the suburb of Oosterville you find the words: “Persevere and Conquer”. This is the motto that learners of the Duineveld High School in the sizzling Upington see every day. This is what Sanmarie Visser of the North-West University (NWU) does on the netball court every day.

Tennis continues to triumph at the NWU

Languages with origins from across the world were heard, and the tennis courts at the Fanie du Toit Sports Grounds at the North-West University (NWU) became a global village during the recent hosting of two junior ITF tournaments.

The upsurge in the number of tennis tournaments hosted by the NWU has been something to behold, and can be…

Reserve Bank remains highly cautious amid uncertainties

“While most analysts believe that, barring shocks, rates have now peaked in South Africa, the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) for understandable reasons still sees inflation risks as being on the upside.”

In commenting on the decision by the MPC on 27 March to again leave interest rates unchanged…