Institutional News

Linguistic diversity and multilingualism in language-education policy

By Mafumane Tlhapi and Mzwandile Ndlovu

 Prof Li Wei, director and dean of the Institute of Education (IOE) at the University College London (UCL), delivered a public lecture on 4 September at the North-West University (NWU).

The theme of the lecture was “What does linguistic diversity mean and how can language-education policy address multilingualism?”.

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NWU hosts International Tourism Week

The North-West University (NWU) hosted the International Tourism Week Symposium from 9 to 11 September 2025 at The Willows Garden Hotel in Potchefstroom. The symposium brought together academics, students, and industry experts from across the globe to discuss the latest trends, challenges, and innovations shaping the future of tourism

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Faculty of Humanities celebrates community engagement at showcase

“Do your little bit of good where you are; it's those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world.” Desmond Tutu.

Community engagement is about people meeting people and sharing knowledge. It is done to touch lives, strengthen human connections, and remind us that learning has its deepest meaning when it serves others. Helping others is not just an act; it is a gift of compassion and a quiet way to leave the world better than we found it.

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Incipient economic recovery has accelerated

The latest gross domestic product (GDP) figures released by StatsSA on 9 September are much better news on the growth front than we have received for some time.

Prof Raymond Parsons, economist from the North-West University (NWU) Business School, says that, as was broadly expected, the GDP figures for the second quarter of 2025 confirm that the incipient economic recovery has accelerated and widened by involving several more sectors in supporting economic growth.

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Dr Sabelile Tenza leads patient safety research seminar at Potchefstroom Hospital

The North-West University (NWU) joined forces with the Potchefstroom Hospital to host a Patient Safety Seminar at the hospital’s Residence Hall, focusing on strengthening healthcare delivery and improving patient safety.

This seminar showcased innovative research from recent patient safety projects at the Potchefstroom Hospital, addressing how medical facilities handle incident reporting, encourage organisational culture, respond to medical errors and develop strategies for delivering safer and quality care.

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NWU Purple Walk: walking boldly and proudly to help students in need

On Friday, 5 September, staff, students and alumni of the North-West University (NWU) joined forces across all three campuses to walk proudly and boldly in support of students in need.

The spirit of generosity and compassion was evident among those who took part in the NWU Purple Walk, a remarkable initiative that celebrated NWU Giving Week. From Monday, 1 September, to Saturday, 6 September, the NWU dedicated the week to fostering unity and kindness, and to nurturing students’ dreams and creating a pathway for them to inspire others.

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Criminologist says tenderpreneur calls for Minister Groenewald’s dismissal unjustified, unwarranted

• Dr Casper Lötter: “Tenderpreneurs only care for their profits and have no regard for the crises in public safety that they have unleashed.”

• “It is imperative that all South Africans resist the revival of this American monster known as the Prison-Industrial-Complex on South African soil.”

• “In this struggle against crime, Groenewald deserves our full support.”

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TRACTOR Awareness Rally departs: a journey of memory, hope and community

On a bright and sunny Saturday morning, 30 August 2025, the grounds of the Samuel Broadbent House in Potchefstroom became the starting point of a remarkable journey. The TRACTOR Awareness Rally (Together Rallying Across Communities To Overcome Remembrance-loss) began its 1 900-kilometre trip with an emotional departure.

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How SA can beat the overtourism trap

Man the gates, the tourists are coming! Popular European destinations such as Barcelona, Paris and Venice are being laid to siege by an unrelenting influx of tourists, prompting residents to take to the streets in protest, sometimes disruptively so. It is a tourism meltdown, and an untenable situation for those living in the very cities tourists flock to.

Budget airlines, cheap transport and low-cost accommodation have fueled this migration headache, and many of the discontented would scoff at the idea of us South Africans celebrating Tourism Month in September.

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