Honouring a leader who helped shape the NWU
There are people who pass through institutions, and then there are people who become part of them woven into the very fabric of what an organisation stands for. Bert Sorgdrager belongs to the latter.
There are people who pass through institutions, and then there are people who become part of them woven into the very fabric of what an organisation stands for. Bert Sorgdrager belongs to the latter.
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 future of the North-West University (NWU) was reimagined in powerful terms at the Entrepreneurship Ecosystem Indaba held at Pont de Val in Parys, where the principal and vice-chancellor, Prof. Bismark Tyobeka delivered a compelling call for the institution to position itself as a driver of innovation, job creation and economic transformation.
South Africa's most recent employment statistics present a dismal image in a nation where millions of people wake up every morning yearning for a chance to work.
The official unemployment rate has increased to 32.7%, according to the most recent Quarterly Labour Force Survey (QLFS) for the first quarter of 2026. This means that almost one in three South Africans who are economically active are unemployed. Approximately 8.1 million people are unemployed overall, and the expanded unemployment rate which takes discouraged job seekers into account has risen to an alarming 43.7%.
The North-West University (NWU) has hosted thousands of prospective students, parents, guardians and educators at its annual Open Days across the three campuses. These events offer a rich opportunity to witness university life first-hand, gain an insight into the study programmes of the university and explore future careers.
The North-West University (NWU) will strengthen its international research footprint when it participates in the 2026 BRICS Postgraduate Forum, taking place from 9 to 11 June 2026 at the University of Campinas in Brazil.
Convened by the BRICS Research Institute in partnership with RUDN University, the forum will be held under the theme “BRICS and Sustainable Development in a Multipolar World: Governance, Innovation and Market Transformation”.
“A memorandum of understanding is more than a document; it is a commitment to action, accountability and shared purpose.”
Today's signatures represent a collective commitment to building a stronger, more responsive post-school education sector.”
These sentiments set the tone as the North-West University (NWU) and Vuselela TVET College signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), marking a significant milestone in strengthening collaboration in skills development, research and innovation, and student development.
Academic excellence, resilience and visionary leadership took centre stage as the North-West University (NWU) Business School recently honoured its MBA and PhD graduates at an elegant Black & White Soirée held at the picturesque Feather Hill Boutique Hotel in Potchefstroom.
A North-West University (NWU) delegation, led by the deputy vice-chancellor for student life, transformation, people and culture with assigned function of the Mahikeng Campus, Dr Joe Molete, recently held a strategic engagement with the leadership of the Taletso TVET College.
This engagement was aimed at strengthening institutional relations and exploring collaborative opportunities between the two institutions.
Across South Africa, roads crumble, wastewater systems fail, refuse accumulates and infrastructure projects stall midway through completion. Increasingly, many citizens are asking the same question: what is happening to our municipalities?
By Prof. Bismark Tyobeka, principal and vice-chancellor of the North-West University (NWU)