Institutional News

Prof Kedibone Phago: Jacob Zuma is stealing the ANC’s legacy

Using the name uMkhonto weSizwe is to a large degree unethical.

The ANC must produce statesmen, not politicians.

He’s back, and as controversial as ever. The reemergence of former South African president, Jacob Zuma as a political role player is causing the party he once led no shortage of headaches at a time when they can least afford it.

The 2024 national election is going to be a watershed moment for the governing ANC, but their grip on power is slipping as coalition parties have their sights set on unseating the three-decades long incumbent.

Submitted on Tue, 02/13/2024 - 09:12

The South African minibus taxi industry: A picture of captive users and a lack of regulation

The minibus taxi industry, despite popular opinion, is more organised than is commonly believed.

The taxi industry lends itself to serious corruption and questionable law enforcement practices, putting the participants at a very high risk.

The taxi industry can get away with providing substandard services such as bad customer service and operating unsafe vehicles because there are few to no standard operating procedures that it has to adhere to.

Submitted on Fri, 02/09/2024 - 11:47

SONA 2024: there is still “unfinished business” on the national agenda

There is still much “unfinished business” on the national agenda, including a more coherent overall economic plan for much higher job-rich inclusive growth.

In commenting on the 2024 State of the Nation Address (SONA), Prof Raymond Parsons, economist from the North-West University (NWU) Business School, points out that, as expected, prior to the 2024 elections the SONA was inevitably largely a party-political statement and also took stock of the government’s achievements over the decades.

Submitted on Fri, 02/09/2024 - 11:18

Why we shouldn’t hang our wetlands out to dry

A lack of awareness of our wetlands can have catastrophic consequences for South Africa’s biodiversity. Wetlands play a critical role in biodiversity conservation, water management and community livelihoods, but extensive agricultural expansion, urban development and industrial activities mean that these vital ecosystems are increasingly under threat.

According to Prof Wynand Malherbe from the Water Research Group at the North-West University (NWU), urgent interventions are required to stem this destructive tide.

Submitted on Wed, 02/07/2024 - 14:56

South Africa is squandering its export opportunities

  • It is peak export season for the fruit industry and there is still a backlog of exports.
  • The impact of the logistics crises caused by Transnet and the ports are having far-reaching negative consequences.
  • Export industries are pleading for a chance to help, but government is unwilling to get out of the way.

Administrative chaos and shipping queues that last for days.

Submitted on Tue, 02/06/2024 - 10:27

New international editorial role in the nuclear field for Prof Bismark Tyobeka

Prof Bismark Tyobeka, principal and vice-chancellor of the North-West University (NWU), has been invited by the international journal, Progress in Nuclear Energy, to be part of the journal’s editorial board.

Established in 1977, Progress in Nuclear Energy is a peer-reviewed scientific journal covering all aspects of nuclear science and engineering.

Submitted on Mon, 02/05/2024 - 09:42