The North-West University (NWU) is celebrating Tourism Month, and when it comes to tourism experts in the country, the NWU’s research unit Tourism Research in Economics, Environs and Society (TREES) has distinguished itself as a leader in its field.

In our ongoing series of articles, we take a closer look at what TREES are doing to promote tourism in South Africa. This is why tourism matters.
The economic power of tourism: A vital contributor to South Africa’s growth

The widely expected pivot for the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) to now commence its interest rate cutting cycle by a modest 25 basis points (bps) is good news for business and consumers.

In commenting on the decision by the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) on 19 September Prof Raymond Parsons, economist from the Business school of the North-West University (NWU), says that, although the decision remains marginal in terms of present high borrowing costs, it nonetheless represents a positive turning point in the interest rate outlook.

The research unit Tourism Research in Economics, Environs and Society (TREES) at the North-West University (NWU) has established itself as a leading research unit focusing on sustainable tourism.

TREES distinguishes itself by conducting innovative research on the economic, environmental and social impacts of tourism, and in promoting evidence-based strategies to enhance the sector's growth. The unit plays a crucial role in promoting tourism in South Africa by analysing market trends, developing sustainable tourism models, and engaging with policymakers and stakeholders.

Spring starts in September, and in honour of the new season, a special exhibition of amazing art is adorning the walls of the Ferdinand Postma Library on the Potchefstroom Campus of the North-West University (NWU).

Artworks of flowers are everywhere. Not of the common or garden variety of blossoms, but of some of South Africa’s most special and – in some cases – rare and endangered veld orchid species.

North-West University (NWU) students Luciano Willemse, a PhD student in biochemistry, and Nadia Olivier, a PhD student in pharmacology, excelled in the virtual provincial FameLab competition held on 10 September.

With only two games remaining in the Varsity Netball round-robin stage, the North-West University (NWU) faces a crucial period in their campaign as they fight to secure a place in the semi-finals. Despite a challenging weekend, where NWU suffered a 64-39 loss against the University of Johannesburg (UJ), the team remains focused on their goal.

Coach Elsunet du Plessis emphasises that their semi-final hopes are still alive and that they are working hard to improve and perform under pressure.

Prof Wannie Carstens, an accomplished Afrikaans scholar at the North-West University (NWU), was recently honoured with the Suid-Afrikaanse Akademie vir Wetenskap en Kuns (the South African Academy of Science and Arts) Jan H Marais Prize for his outstanding academic work in Afrikaans.

The prestigious prize ceremony took place at Webersburg farm in Stellenbosch.

The North-West University’s (NWU’s) School of Industrial Psychology and Human Resource Management was recently recognised in two categories of the 2024 South African Board for People Practices (SABPP) Awards.

The school won an award in the category Best University in People Practices and Governance (PPG) Standards Alignment, and Debbie Mtshelwane, a lecturer and programme leader for Human Resource Management won an award in the Best Standard Research Paper/Dissertation category.

North-West University (NWU) alumnus Chris van Dyk recently received the Southern African Institute for Industrial Engineering’s (SAIIE’s) Best Industrial Engineering Practitioner - Employer's Choice Award.

This award highlights his contributions to the field of agriculture and the respect he has earned from peers and employers as business analyst at Taaibosch Piggery.

He was a visionary thinker, an activist against an oppressive regime, but also a forgotten figure. No longer. Wits University Press recently released the book Rick Turner's Politics as the Art of the Impossible to universal acclaim, with it even being named News24’s Book of the Month for August.

Gideon van Riet, a senior lecturer in Political Studies and International Relations at the North-West University (NWU), served as one of the editors of the book.