A green-and-gold jersey bearing the leaping springbok. It is synonymous not only with South Africa’s national rugby team, but with the country as a whole. The jersey can be seen in stadiums, pubs and public spaces across the globe.
NWU signs strategic agricultural partnership to drive food security, rural economic growth and innovation
The North-West University (NWU), Community Venture Capital (Pty) Ltd (CVC), and NWU Enterprises (Pty) Ltd (NWUE) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on Friday, 7 August to strengthen collaboration in agricultural development and community empowerment.
National Women’s Day commemorates the 20,000 women who marched to the Union Buildings in 1956, giving us the powerful words: “Wathint’ abafazi, wathint’ imbokodo” – “You strike a woman, you strike a rock.” But I sometimes wonder whether we remember only the determination of those women, or whether we acknowledge the more uncomfortable part of our history: they were not asking to be recognised. They were demanding that a system change.
South Africa’s infrastructure is failing, but the deeper crisis is that we are not developing the engineers, scientists and innovators needed to rebuild it.
By Prof.Twice I was there when South Africa was the centre of the universe. The last decade of the 20th century heralded the arrival of a nation poised to lead through moral example, as we pledged never again to repeat our tainted history. Today, many citizens threaten violence against foreigners, and once again we face becoming one of the world's pariahs.
The North-West University (NWU) Council unanimously elected a new chairperson and deputy chairperson at its Council meeting on Thursday, 18 June 2026.
René Kenosi, a qualified chartered accountant with more than 30 years’ experience in governance, risk management, audit and counter corruption, is the new chairperson, and Pastor Piet Maleme Tlhabanyane, a seasoned faith leader and community development practitioner, will serve as deputy chairperson.
By Prof. Bismark Tyobeka, principal and vice-chancellor of the North-West University (NWU).
- The South African government is becoming trapped within layers of accumulated complexity.
- The government therefore appears simultaneously hyper-present and absent.
- Complex systems create discretion and discretion creates power.
- Economic success becomes tied less to productive capability and more to proximity to administrative systems.
- The crisis no longer lies in the absence of rules or oversight, but in the growing burden of managing complexity itself
When Dr Rassie Erasmus walked onto the stage at the North-West University (NWU) in 2024 to receive an honorary doctorate, it was not only recognition of a rugby coach. It was recognition of a leader who helped shape moments that united a country and reminded South Africans of what can still be achieved when belief, resilience and shared purpose come together.
- The tragedy of the NSFAS story is that it reflects more than an institutional crisis; it reflects a deeper tension in public leadership in South Africa.
- NSFAS has grown from a support mechanism into the dominant driver of higher education spending.
- The most disturbing dimension of the NSFAS crisis is the erosion of ethical leadership.
- NSFAS did not fail because of one decision, one leader