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 proves that MASDT training project is beneficial

For the past 12 years the Mobile Agri Skills Development and Training (MASDT) nonprofit company has been empowering farmers from selected rural communities in the Limpopo and Mpumalanga provinces. Now it wants to know how effective its programmes have been – and who better to assist than the North-West University (NWU)?

MASDT offers…

The science behind absent fathers

A large number of South African children are living their lives without the presence of a father figure. The issue of absent fathers has been a major problem in the country for a number of years.

Dr Fazel Freeks, who is a senior lecturer and the coordinator: community engagement at the Faculty of Theology at the North-West…

NWU awards honorary doctorate for work in Afrikaans

The North-West University (NWU) has awarded an honorary doctorate to a seasoned and experienced academic who has made an outstanding contribution towards promoting Afrikaans in the Low Countries (the Netherlands and Belgium).

Prof Ena Jansen, who has lived permanently in Amsterdam since 2002, was honoured for her enormous…

NWU researchers honoured by ASSAf

Two researchers from the Faculty of Health Sciences at the North-West University (NWU) were honoured for their outstanding research by the Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf).

Prof Alta Schutte and Prof Marius Smuts were recently elected as members of ASSAf. New members are elected annually in recognition of their academic…

AUTHeR: Community-based research with a difference

The research activities of the Africa Unit for Transdisciplinary Health Research (AUTHeR) on the North-West University’s (NWU’s) campus in Potchefstroom are focused on bio-psychosocial health and specifically on preventing illness, maintaining and promoting health and facilitating quality health systems.

AUTHeR supports the World…

Protea star appointed NWU coach

Former Protea star and North-West University (NWU) stalwart, Elsunet du Plessis, has been appointed as the new NWU netball coach starting on 1 January 2018. Elsunet takes over the Potchefstroom-based team’s reins from Dorette Badenhorst.

“After an extensive consultation process Elsunet proved to be the best possible candidate to…

Rugby World Cup 2023: Don’t wait SA, start preparing now

World Rugby has announced that South Africa is their preferred choice to host the IRB 2023 Rugby World Cup. South Africa beat France as well as Ireland, and although an official vote will take place on 15 November, the independent World Rugby’s recommendation – a body comprised of rugby experts, business and commercial analysts – should hold…

The link between climate change and money

The North-West University (NWU) recently hosted a climate change public lecture on its campus in Potchefstroom.

The issue on climate change was looked at from a legal, environmental science, engineering and a financial perspective.Dr Michelle Barnard who is a senior lecturer at the Faculty of Law, Ncobile Nkosi, a social-…

Little African Scientist addressing learners’ urgent science needs

Foundation-level learners in the country are not exposed nearly enough to science and this should urgently be addressed.

Research has found that, by the time children in rural South African schools reach Grade 3, they are already three years behind their peers in most other countries. This gap grows as they progress through school…

NWU hosts successful pertraction workshop

The Focus Area: Chemical Resource Beneficiation and the Technology Transfer and Innovation Support Office of the North-West University (NWU) proudly hosted a Pertraction Metal Refinery Workshop on 11 October 2017.

They did this in collaboration with PX Technologies®, DRA Global, MEMCON, the Technology Innovation Agency (TIA) and the…