Newsroom - Potchefstroom Campus

NWU Rugby Institute celebrates a remarkable season and honours outstanding achievements

The Varsity Cup team and Joubert Schoeman were among the many award recipients who received recognition on a night dedicated to excellence and a passion for the game.

Coaches and players traded boots for formal wear on Monday night as the North-West University (NWU) Rugby Institute hosted its year-end function and awards ceremony. Known for their grit on the field, the athletes were now dressed to the nines, celebrating a season of hard work, growth and historic success.

“Rugby is more than a game. It is a reflection of who we are and what we stand for.”

Submitted on

Nutrition science targets inflammation to tackle TB and iron deficiency

Nutrition can be used as a tool to control inflammation and address conditions such as tuberculosis (TB) and iron deficiency. In her recent inaugural lecture, North-West University (NWU) Prof Linda Malan drew on findings from years of research to highlight how omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin D and iron can influence immune function and offer new pathways for treating disease and improving public health.

Submitted on

Potchefstroom Campus Staff Sports Club heads to Gqeberha for the USSWSA national tournament

The North-West University (NWU) Staff Sports Club on the Potchefstroom Campus is proud and excited to represent the university at the upcoming University Staff Sport and Wellness of South Africa (USSWSA) national tournament, taking place in Gqeberha from 9 to 11 October 2025. Hosted by Nelson Mandela University, the tournament will bring together staff teams from 16 universities across South Africa for three days of competitive action and spirited sportsmanship.

Submitted on

Music in Provence: musicians shine in second house concert in memory of Elmain Smit

Soft notes floated through the afternoon air like a gentle breeze across lavender fields. The scent of sunflowers and the glow of golden light transformed Prof Paul Smit’s home into a small corner of Provence, carrying guests on a journey of music, memory and quiet celebration.

On Saturday, 13 September, Prof Smit, associate professor in the School for Industrial Psychology and Human Resource Management at the North-West University (NWU), hosted the second house concert in memory of his late wife, Elmain.

Submitted on

Professor honoured as International Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering

North-West University (NWU) extraordinary professor Linda Godfrey has been elected as an International Fellow of the prestigious Royal Academy of Engineering (RAEng) in the United Kingdom.

This is the second key role she has had within the ambit of the RAEng. For the past four years, Prof Godfrey has served on the Board of the Academy’s Safer End of Engineered Life Programme, which aims to improve safety in the decommissioning of engineering products, structures and infrastructure.

Submitted on

Images and drawings reveal family experiences that words cannot

In a world where numbers and words often dominate research, a North-West University (NWU) scholar is urging academics to “picture it”. During her inaugural lecture Prof Vicki Koen from the Faculty of Health Sciences argued that images, drawings and photographs can unlock new ways of understanding family well-being that traditional methods cannot.

Submitted on

Women Leading for Sustainability: Workshop empowers the next Generation

On 19 August 2025, the university hosted a transformative sustainability workshop aimed at strengthening pathways for female students into impactful careers. With support from the British Council South Africa, the event created an inspiring platform for students to engage with practitioners, explore career options, and build the skills required to drive meaningful change.

Submitted on

South Africa’s graduates and the entrepreneurial crossroads

In South Africa, a degree no longer guarantees a job. Youth unemployment hovers at crisis levels, and many graduates struggle to find stable work. Entrepreneurship, often touted as a remedy, is still seen by many as a last resort rather than a viable career path. The result is a paradox: at a time when the economy urgently needs new ventures, the very people best positioned to create them hesitate to take the leap.

Submitted on