A well-known former dean of the Faculty of Education and vice-rector at the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Vanderbijlpark Campus, Prof Dewey de Wet, passed away in the early hours of Saturday, 2 July in his house in Potchefstroom.

Prof de Wet studied at the former Potchefstroom University for Christian Higher Education (PU for CHE), now the NWU, where he obtained his BSc degree in mathematics and science, UOD, BEd, MEd and DEd degrees, as well as a BScHons degree from UNISA. 

North-West University’s principal and vice-chancellor, Dr Bismark Tyobeka, has been invited by prominent global leaders in nuclear affairs to be a panelist in an international webinar on the role of nuclear and radiology safety in the peaceful applications of nuclear science and technology.

“Oom Danie!” echoes the voice of the young woman from across the street. For a second, eclectic Stellenbosch, where he is walking around, comes to a halt as Danie Hefer turns around. Only a few moments before he was scanning his surroundings for a restaurant, unaware that his lanky frame had attracted the attention of the woman who is now running towards him. With endearing resolve she gives him a hug. Then, after she has relinquished her grip, she thanks him for the role he played in helping her obtain her degree.

During its meeting on 23 June 2022 the North-West University (NWU) Council elected a new chairperson and deputy chairperson.

Mr Bert Sorgdrager, a seasoned legal professional with more than 30 years’ experience in the private sector, was elected as the sixth chairperson of the NWU Council. Mr Obakeng Mongale, an experienced public servant and the current superintendent general for the North West Department of Health, will serve as deputy chairperson.

A group of 15 researchers from the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management recently presented their work at the 32nd Annual Meeting of the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC) Europe conference in Copenhagen, Denmark.

The theme for the meeting was “Towards a reduced pollution society”.

According to one of the NWU researchers, Dr Hannes Erasmus, a variety of topics were discussed, ranging from laboratory-based studies to field studies in terrestrial, fresh water and marine ecosystems.

Language traverses borders. It connects us, inspires us, educates us and enriches us. It is the fundamental tool that allows us to connect with each other. And, in a diverse, multilingual society, the more we appreciate each other’s native language, the fewer boundaries there will be between us.

It is very encouraging that the latest much-better-than-expected gross domestic product (GDP) figures for the first quarter of 2022 show a further strong recovery in the economy following the economic setbacks of the Covid-19 lockdowns and the widespread civil unrest of July 2021.

Prof Raymond Parsons, economist from the Business School of the North-West University (NWU), says the figures that were announced on 7 June 2022 reinforce the 4,9% GDP growth recorded for 2021 as a whole, after the negative -6,4% growth experienced in the previous year.

 Ontiretse Motingwa

The North-West University (NWU) celebrated Africa Day across all three its campuses on 26 and 27 May 2022.

This year the Africa Day theme was “The Year of Nutrition - Strengthening resilience in nutrition and food security on the African continent”.

 “Master”. That is a title few can lay claim to. Best of the best. That is when a profession becomes a calling and is then developed into an art. Terseus Liebenberg definitely falls into this category.

Over more than three decades his knowledge and skill have taken athletes with talent and transformed them into global stars.  

In the recent 2021–2022 SA Athletics Annual, a publication of the SA Athletics Statisticians (SAAS), Liebenberg was named the top coach of the readmission era by the executive committee of the sports body.

Three years and 21 games. That is how long the senior team of the North-West University (NWU) (this is now not the Varsity Cup team) has been undefeated.

On Saturday afternoon in Potchefstroom the NWU beat a star-studded Wits by 37–19 to remain undefeated in this, their eighth victory of 2022 in this year’s Predator Competition.

The second team won by 21–7, the third team by 64–12, the under 21s by 45–35 and the under 19s by 43–0.

It is clear that the NWU’s senior team has found a dream partnership in coaches Burger van der Westhuizen and Leon Boshoff.