Vanderbijlpark Campus News

NWU alumnus wins prestigious Rural Cricketer of the Year award

One of the most renowned cricketers in the Vaal Triangle has shown that talent, temperament and a love for the game can take a player to great heights. Wikus Botha, the former NWU Vanderbijlpark director of Cricket, was named the Cricket South Africa (CSA) Rural Player of the Year at the 2026 awards ceremony.

This is an incredible achievement for 39-year-old Botha, who successfully balances his role as a player with that of a renowned cricket coach who has a passion for investing in young players.

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Trio Conference champions Afrocentric governance, multilingualism and transformation

by Zenoyise John

The Riverside Hotel in Vanderbijlpark recently buzzed with intellectual energy as academics, students, policymakers and thought leaders from across Africa gathered for the North-West University (NWU) Trio Conference on Afrocentric Governance, Multilingualism and Transformation.

Over three days, participants from South Africa, Uganda,…

Prof Liandi van den Berg is redefining student assessment in an AI-driven world

by Angeline Marokoane

At a time when artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping higher education, Prof. Liandi van den Berg is helping lead the way in rethinking how universities assess student learning. Her work, recently featured in the Digital Education Council (DEC) Best Practices Collection, highlights a forward-thinking approach that is gaining global…

Faranani residence marks Human Rights Day with meaningful community outreach

by Angeline Marokoane

In the true spirit of Human Rights Day, students from Faranani Residence at the North-West University (NWU) turned reflection into action through a heartfelt community outreach initiative in Sharpeville on 21 March. Led by student leaders, the programme focused on restoring dignity, promoting equality, and supporting access to basic needs for…

The people who stand between crisis and collapse

by Zenoyise John

An opinion piece by Prof. Koketso Matlakala, Prof. Hanelie Malan and Dr Lucé Pretorius

A person sits across from a social worker, struggling to articulate the confusion of the past few hours. Sometimes the crisis follows an act of violence. At other times it is the result of weeks or months of emotional strain that have gradually become…

Fundraiser Sibusiso Gwala appointed chairperson of MACE

by Zenoyise John

North-West University (NWU) fundraiser Sbusiso Gwala has been elected as the new chairperson of MACE (Marketing, Advancement and Communication in Education), marking a major milestone in the higher education sector of South Africa.

Renowned for his fundraising expertise and strategic vision, this excellent fundraiser is set to lead the…

NWU bhive EDC empowers Evaton teachers

by Zenoyise John

As part of its ongoing community engagement initiatives, the bhive Enterprise Development Centre (EDC) at the Nort-West University (NWU), in collaboration with the LUSA NPO, recently supported the Gr8Start Early Childhood Development (ECD) educator capacity-building programme in Evaton.

The programme was designed to strengthen the…

Global AI banking research partnership strengthened as Polish professors visit North-West University

by Angeline Marokoane

Researchers from Nicolaus Copernicus University in Poland recently visited North-West University (NWU) to strengthen an international research partnership exploring how artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming the banking sector.

Hosted by NWU’s WorkWell Research Unit from 2 to 6 March 2026 at the Potchefstroom campus, the visit…

A new era for Vanderbijlpark Campus Hockey

by Steve Maphakathe

The sound of machinery and the dust in the air will soon go away as the North-West University (NWU) Vanderbijlpark Campus prepares to unveil its newly constructed astro hockey field. This state-of-the-art turf signals a new era for NWU Hockey and is set to transform the institution’s sporting landscape.

Developed as part of the…

Inter-Res Tournament will promote safety, unity and inclusion

by Zenoyise John

The North-West University’s (NWU’s) Vanderbijlpark Campus officially launched its highly anticipated Inter-Res Tournament, ushering in a season of competition, social awareness and strengthened student unity.

The Inter-Res League officially kicks off in the third week of March and will run until August. This year’s tournament will…

Research reveals troubling state of the Vaal River

by Zenoyise John

The Vaal River – one of the most important water sources in South Africa – is currently “surviving but not thriving”, according to North-West University (NWU) researcher Prof. Wynand Malherbe, who is studying the ecological health of the river in the Vredefort Dome area.

Although the river continues to sustain aquatic life, increasing…