Faculties

South Africa’s local power play

South Africa’s municipalities are rediscovering an old habit: generating their own electricity. In a country long dominated by Eskom, the lumbering state utility, the city of eThekwini has announced an ambitious strategy to reduce its reliance on the national grid by 40% by 2030. With Eskom’s ageing infrastructure, crippling debt and load-shedding woes, such moves are inevitable. Yet this raises new dilemmas about who wins and who pays.

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NWU School of Mines and Mining Engineering set for future success

The North West province of South Africa sits on a bedrock of riches. From platinum to chrome, vanadium to gold, the region is among the most mineral-endowed in the world. Yet its communities remain scarred by poverty and unemployment, relics of a resource economy too often divorced from local benefit. For a province where mines dominate both the landscape and livelihoods, the need to convert mineral wealth into long-term skills, jobs and technological leadership is a necessity.

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Groundbreaking study gives frogs and reptiles indigenous names

  • Researchers have created a comprehensive list of indigenous names for frogs and reptiles in order to promote inclusive conservation

  • People are far more likely to protect what they can name

  • South Africa’s indigenous languages have long been marginalised in science

  • The inclusion of indigenous names in biodiversity literature is not only good science, but also democratic

 

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Research and Innovation Colloquium showcases NWU’s commitment to multidisciplinary collaboration

“To expand beautiful ideas of working together across disciplines.” These were the words of Professor Jeffrey Mpahlele, deputy vice-chancellor for Research and Innovation at the North-West University (NWU), as he captured the essence of the university's Research and Innovation Colloquium that was held at Sun City from 02-04 March 2025.

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Registration progress at the NWU

The North-West University (NWU) is pleased with progress regarding the registration of first-year students for the 2025 academic year.

We received more than 390 000 applications to enrol at the NWU for this academic year. We are encouraged and grateful that we remain a university of choice for many prospective students, and that we continue to be recognised for academic excellence, a vibrant student life, and a sound co-curricular environment.

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QS ranks NWU among the top seven universities in South Africa

The latest Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings place the North-West University (NWU) among the top seven universities in South Africa. QS published its rankings for top global universities for 2025 on 4 June.

The NWU has performed consistently among local universities in these rankings ─ QS ranked the NWU seventh in the country last year too. Globally, the NWU moved into the 851 to 900 ranking category.

It is not only globally and locally that the NWU shines. According to QS, the NWU is now also among the top thirteen universities in Africa.

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