Press Release

Student’s body found in pond on campus

The NWU would like to express our sincere condolences to the family and friends of the 20-year old Mojalefa Reabetswe Nthebe. He was a second-year student in industrial psychology on the Vanderbijlpark Campus of the NWU. Immediately after his body was discovered the matter was reported to the police who is investigating an inquest. Protection Services is providing all possible support to the police in their investigation. As is the case after any such incident, counseling is provided to those in need of it.

Submitted on Mon, 05/12/2025 - 07:58

Student passed away after injury during rugby match

The North-West University (NWU) would like to express our sincere condolences to the family and friends of Vilano Saunders who passed away during the early hours of Monday, 5 May. He was injured during a rugby match on 3 May on the Vanderbijlpark Campus. It is always tragic and heartbreaking to loose a member of our student community. We are aware of the allegations regarding the position he played in, but the NWU does not have any knowledge of Vilano being forced to play in the front row for any reason. According to information available, he had the training and experience to do so.

Submitted on Mon, 05/12/2025 - 07:51

Weevils alone will not permanently eradicate Hartbeespoort Dam’s hyacinth problem

By Gofaone Motsamai

While the release of weevils into the hyacinth-infested waters of the Hartbeespoort Dam is a welcome development, these insects alone cannot be expected to permanently solve the dam’s pollution problem.

“The use of weevils must be part of an integrated plan to resolve the issue,” says Prof Wynand Malherbe from the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Water Research Group in the Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management.

Submitted on Thu, 04/24/2025 - 08:30

North-West University medical school named the NWU Desmond Tutu School of Medicine

The North-West University (NWU) is proud to announce that its soon-to-be-established medical school will be honorifically named the NWU Desmond Tutu School of Medicine.

This decision was taken in consultation with – and received the approval of – the Archbishop Desmond Tutu IP Trust.

Submitted on Tue, 04/22/2025 - 15:06

2025 SAICA and ICAN results reaffirm NWU as a leader in accounting education in South Africa

The North-West University (NWU) has again emerged as a leader in accounting education in South Africa. Its candidates achieved an overall pass rate of 95% in the January 2025 Initial Assessment of Competence (IAC) examinations of the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA) and Institute of Chartered Accountants of Namibia (ICAN).  

This compares to the national average pass rate of 70%, according to the results, which were announced on Friday, 4 April 2025.

Submitted on Mon, 04/07/2025 - 13:27

First-ever publication in Nature highlights space debris threat

The North-West University (NWU) has achieved a milestone with its first-ever publication in the journal Nature with Prof Thembinkosi Malevu of the subject group Physics sharing possible solutions to the risks posed by space junk.

Co-authored with Prof Richard Ocaya from the University of the Free State, the research focuses on the risks posed by space debris, pieces of old satellites and rockets, falling back to Earth.

Submitted on Fri, 03/28/2025 - 09:14

First-of-its-kind hunting study sheds light on hunters’ perspective

• Hunters, especially international hunters, believe that they benefit local communities.

• International hunters spend up to four times more per visit than local hunters.

• International hunters perceive their impact to be greater than local hunters.

• The perspective of the local community is still missing.

Submitted on Mon, 03/17/2025 - 08:32

NWU confirms Dr Anna Mokgokong’s second term as chancellor

The North-West University (NWU) has confirmed renowned business leader and entrepreneur Dr Anna Mokgokong’s second term as chancellor.

This was confirmed during a prestigious event in Potchefstroom on 12 March, after the NWU Council elected her for a further five years. Dr Mokgokong ended her first term on 20 November 2024.

As chancellor, she serves as titular head of the NWU, and all qualifications awarded by the university are formally conferred by her.

Submitted on Thu, 03/13/2025 - 10:04