NWU Desmond Tutu School of Medicine breaks new ground

The countdown has begun. On Tuesday afternoon at precisely 12:46, Prof Bismark Tyobeka, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the North-West University (NWU), turned the first sod at the Potchefstroom Campus construction site of the NWU Desmond Tutu School of Medicine.

This ceremonial gesture marked the official commencement of construction…

Groundbreaking study gives frogs and reptiles indigenous names

Researchers have created a comprehensive list of indigenous names for frogs and reptiles in order to promote inclusive conservation People are far more likely to protect what they can name South Africa’s indigenous languages have long been marginalised in science The inclusion of indigenous names in biodiversity literature is…

Prof Linda du Plessis rebukes Dawie Roodt’s university closure comments

South Africa has too many public universities, and most of them should be closed. Furthermore, only 10% of the population should pursue a university education, “while there is a big shortage at other skill levels”. These are some of the comments recently made by economist Dawie Roodt, who also labelled South Africa’s primary education sector as…

Student’s body found in pond on campus

The NWU would like to express our sincere condolences to the family and friends of the 20-year old Mojalefa Reabetswe Nthebe. He was a second-year student in industrial psychology on the Vanderbijlpark Campus of the NWU. Immediately after his body was discovered the matter was reported to the police who is investigating an inquest. Protection…

Student passed away after injury during rugby match

The North-West University (NWU) would like to express our sincere condolences to the family and friends of Vilano Saunders who passed away during the early hours of Monday, 5 May. He was injured during a rugby match on 3 May on the Vanderbijlpark Campus. It is always tragic and heartbreaking to loose a member of our student community. We are…

Weevils alone will not permanently eradicate Hartbeespoort Dam’s hyacinth problem

By Gofaone Motsamai

While the release of weevils into the hyacinth-infested waters of the Hartbeespoort Dam is a welcome development, these insects alone cannot be expected to permanently solve the dam’s pollution problem.

“The use of weevils must be part of an integrated plan to resolve the issue,” says…

North-West University medical school named the NWU Desmond Tutu School of Medicine

The North-West University (NWU) is proud to announce that its soon-to-be-established medical school will be honorifically named the NWU Desmond Tutu School of Medicine.

This decision was taken in consultation with – and received the approval of – the Archbishop Desmond Tutu IP Trust.

The official naming ceremony took place on…

Outcome of the investigation: Apparent cultural ritual disturbance at Eikenhof residence

The North-West University acknowledges receipt of a letter by Afriforum Youth dated 14 April 2025 on the above matter. NWU registrar, Prof Marlene Verhoef, has responded to the matters raised.

Read the official response here.

Concern/complaint: alleged unwelcome religious practice in the residence

The North-West University (NWU) notes the correspondence from one of the student societies and media enquiries regarding an incident that occurred on 13 April 2025 at the Potchefstroom Campus. The incident is allegedly related to religious or spiritual practices in one of the ladies’ residences.

2025 SAICA and ICAN results reaffirm NWU as a leader in accounting education in South Africa

The North-West University (NWU) has again emerged as a leader in accounting education in South Africa. Its candidates achieved an overall pass rate of 95% in the January 2025 Initial Assessment of Competence (IAC) examinations of the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA) and Institute of Chartered Accountants of Namibia (ICAN…