Human Interest

Prof Parsons previews expectations for the 2024 Budget Speech

Minister of Finance Enoch Godongwana is set to present the Budget Speech for the 2024/25 fiscal year on 21 February 2024. Providing insights into the anticipated announcements, renowned economist from the North-West University (NWU) Business School, Prof Raymond Parsons, shares his perspectives on what South Africans can expect from this crucial address.

Prof Parsons says budgets always require a delicate balancing act and the 2024 budget, although being crafted in very difficult economic circumstances, ultimately also remains an exercise in political economy.

Submitted on Thu, 02/15/2024 - 12:21

Upcoming international Kahoot! webinar to showcase the power of dynamic polling tools

North-West University (NWU) senior lecturer and charted accountant Kurt Naicker will be presenting at the international Kahoot! webinar for higher education on 21 February 2024 at 09:00 AM CST / 04:00 PM CET.

The webinar is titled "Elevate student engagement: Kahoot!'s dynamic polling tools" and will be hosted by Kahoot!.

Kurt says the webinar will showcase the power of dynamic polling tools designed to give every university community member a voice.

Submitted on Thu, 02/15/2024 - 08:38

Advanced coding techniques unleashed at the coding summer school for postgrads

The biennial postgraduate coding summer school was jointly hosted by the National Institute for Theoretical Computational Science (NITheCS) and the Centre for High Performance Computing (CHPC) of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR). The programme is offered at all 26 universities across the country, catering for over 800 students who enrolled.

Submitted on Wed, 02/14/2024 - 15:45

Vanderbijlpark Campus again named top higher education institution in Sedibeng district

The North-West University’s (NWU’s) Vanderbijilpark Campus has once again been recognised as the highest-rated institution for higher education at the prestigious 2023 PMR.africa Business Excellence Awards.

PMR.Africa is a leading South African consultancy and research company. It publishes a business journal, together with an online version, serving as a vehicle for sharing the results of its various surveys. Through these surveys companies and institutions with potential are identified and recognised for excellence across all industry sectors.

Submitted on Wed, 02/14/2024 - 12:09

R15,456 billion: Private wildlife hunting means big bucks

The South African private wildlife hunting industry is one that should be treasured. This was again made evident by the research conducted by the research unit for Tourism Research in Economics, Environs and Society (TREES) at the North-West University (NWU), which was steered by Prof Peet van der Merwe, Andrea Saayman and Elmarie Slabbert. The research showed that the industry ploughs billions of rands back into South Africa’s economy.

Submitted on Tue, 02/13/2024 - 11:57

Welcome, 2024 first-year students!

The North-West University (NWU) officially welcomed its first-year students to its three campuses on 10 February 2024.

The event was marked by a live-streamed address by the principal and vice-chancellor, Prof Bismark Tyobeka. The address, delivered from the newly constructed Tsebonokeng hall at the Vanderbijlpark Campus, set the tone for the upcoming academic year.

The ceremony was attended by several dignitaries, including members of the NWU Council, senior management and student leadership.

Submitted on Tue, 02/13/2024 - 11:16

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

Top ITF junior players to serve up tennis spectacular

The tennis courts on the Potchefstroom Campus of the North-West University (NWU) will once again play host to some of the world’s top junior players when two ITF J100 tournaments serve their first volleys on 26 February.

ITF is an acronym for the International Tennis Federation, which is the governing body of world tennis.

The tournaments, the last of which will conclude on 8 March, will once again showcase the NWU’s world-class facilities and underline why the university is the preferred destination for international athletes and events.

Submitted on Mon, 02/12/2024 - 12:28

Research entity unveils vision for comprehensive health initiatives

Prof Leepile Sehularo, the newly appointed director of the Lifestyle Diseases research niche area at the North-West University's (NWU’s) Mahikeng Campus, says the research area is committed to implementing enhanced programmes dedicated to preventing and treating lifestyle-related diseases.

A ground-breaking long-term care model, focusing on psychological perspectives for managing lifestyle diseases, is a key component of the upcoming initiatives.

Submitted on Mon, 02/12/2024 - 10:22