“Tito Mboweni was a formidable leader, with deep economic insights that greatly shaped South Africa’s post-apartheid policies and structures, such as the South African Reserve Bank (SARB), labour law and Nedlac.”

Reacting to the death of former Finance Minister and SARB Governor Tito Mboweni, Prof Raymond Parsons, economist from the North-West University (NWU) Business School, says he was saddened to hear of his unexpected passing over the weekend and sends his condolences to his family.

As South Africans celebrate Transport Month in October, we should broaden our focus beyond infrastructure and modernisation to the more nuanced and pressing issue of universal access to transport. This annual observance is a time to reflect on how transport systems impact everyone, especially those who are marginalised by their physical or financial limitations. While President Cyril Ramaphosa has highlighted the need for universal access to transport, significant challenges remain, especially for the most vulnerable commuters.

The final round of the sixth annual Leopards Lair® student business pitching competition was hosted jointly by the TTIS, bhive Enterprise Development Centre and the North-West University (NWU) Business School on Thursday, 3 October.    

As South Africa marks Transport Month in October, it's an opportune time to reflect on the profound shifts in the logistics sector that have redefined how goods are transported and delivered. The pandemic-induced changes in consumer behaviour have accelerated the rise of last-mile delivery, transforming it into a critical pillar of modern logistics. What once relied on large-scale, long-haul freight systems has now given way to more personalised last-mile solutions that deliver items directly to consumers’ doorsteps.

Take a moment to consider these figures. South Africa’s transport sector contributes about 8% of our Gross Domestic Product (GDP). We have a 750 000 km road network that carries 80% of freight and 70% of passenger traffic. We have one of the largest rail systems in Africa with approximately 30 400 kilometres of track. Air transport is facilitated by 90 licensed airports and maritime transport carries 96% of the country’s exports by volume.

The North-West University’s (NWU’s) unwavering commitment to community engagement is deeply rooted in its initiatives of empowering the communities it serves using research to address relevant needs.

The NWU’s Sustainability and Community Impact division recently held its annual Youth Learning Festival (YLF) – welcoming about 150 young people from the Stilfontein and Fochville areas to the Potchefstroom Campus.

Every 27 seconds, someone in the world is diagnosed with blood cancer or a blood disorder. Yet, four out of 10 people globally in need of a matching, unrelated stem-cell donor are unable to find one. With these staggering statistics in mind, the Centre for Human Metabolomics in the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences at the North-West University (NWU) teamed up with DKMS Africa to make a difference.

In the final part of our series of articles celebrating Tourism Month, we again look at the phenomenal work the North-West University’s (NWU’s) research unit Tourism Research in Economics, Environs and Society (TREES) is doing to infuse the tourism sector with its expertise, to make the sector visible and to protect our tourism heritage. This is why tourism matters.

South Africa’s place on the global tourism stage: A competitive destination

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.

The North-West University’s (NWU’s) Centre for Teaching and Learning (CTL) hosted another successful Teaching and Learning Conference from 10 to 12 September.

Themed "Student centricity in teaching and learning at the NWU", the conference stressed the importance of reimagining teaching and learning methodologies to better cater to the specific needs of NWU students.