Latest news with #NWU
Mail & Guardian
27-05-2025
- Business
- Mail & Guardian
Solar project adds power to parking areas, rooftops in energy overhaul
More solar panels are being installed at the Biko House postgraduate parking. (Image: NWU) Rows of parked cars and rooftops on the North-West University's (NWU's) Mahikeng Campus now share space with banks of solar panels, part of a campus-wide plan to reshape how electricity is sourced, used and sustained. The new decentralised solar energy system is being installed across most parking areas and rooftops at the campus. The system includes 1 820 panels, each generating 550 watts of power, with a collective capacity of 1 megawatt peak (1MWp). The panels are connected through 15 mini-systems that feed directly into the campus's internal power grid. 'The systems connect to the university's grid through inverters, ensuring that the power generated is used entirely on campus,' says Hendrik Esterhuizen, who oversees energy infrastructure at the NWU. He notes that the system is designed to meet the campus's base load requirements and does not feed power back into Eskom's grid. This is important because it ensures the solar system directly supports the campus's energy needs without relying on the national grid. With the new solar plants, the university enhances energy independence, reduces pressure on the public system and improves resilience during load-shedding or power interruptions. 'It effectively acts as a virtual emergency power generator, supporting the campus's diesel generators by adding additional capacity during load-shedding,' he adds. Cost savings expected in the long run The investment carries long-term cost benefits. Each 100kWp solar unit costs about R2 million, including infrastructure and carport installation, says Esterhuizen. 'While solar is cheaper than grid electricity in the long run, the capital investment must first be recouped.' The expected payback period is five to seven years. Diesel use is the most expensive option, costing roughly four times more than grid electricity, Esterhuizen says. 'Our solar systems are already helping to reduce carbon emissions, and we calculate these reductions monthly.' Building and connecting the systems on a functioning university campus has presented challenges. Construction teams have worked around academic schedules, including tests and exams. Infrastructural limitations, such as available roof space and electrical access points, have required tailored solutions. This solar installation forms part of a broader, phased energy project across the university's three campuses. A 385kWp plant is in place at the Vanderbijlpark Campus, with a 2 500kWp system at Potchefstroom and 1 500kWp at Mahikeng. Future construction and major renovations will include similar solar energy components. The roll-out reflects a university-wide shift towards greater energy independence and measured investment in long-term sustainability.
Mail & Guardian
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Mail & Guardian
NWU Council appoints Prof Hennie Goede as registrar
Prof Hennie Goede. The North-West University (NWU) Council has appointed Professor Hennie Goede, currently serving as the executive dean of the Faculty of Theology, as registrar designate. The appointment was made during an extraordinary Council meeting held on 22 May 2025. The date from which Prof Goede will commence his duties as registrar designate will be determined and communicated very soon to ensure a smooth transition at the Faculty of Theology. On such determination, Prof Goede will work alongside and report to the current registrar, Prof Marlene Verhoef, until 31 December 2025. Prof Goede will officially commence his term as the NWU registrar on 1 January 2026 for a five-year period, concluding on 31 December 2031. The NWU Council extends its congratulations to Prof Goede and wishes him success in his new role. Council is confident that Prof Goede's wealth of knowledge and experience in both academic and faculty administration will make an invaluable contribution to the NWU as it implements the new strategy – taking the NWU forward: 2024 and beyond. As executive dean, Prof Goede has played a pivotal role in shaping the strategic direction of the Faculty of Theology during the past six years. He serves on the university's Senior Management Committee, the Senate and various subcommittees. He currently chairs the Senate task team on post-graduate enrolments and is also a member of the Council on Higher Education (CHE) Review Panel for Private Higher Education Institutions. Prof Goede's association with the NWU began in 2003, when he was appointed as locum tenens in Greek at the former Potchefstroom University for Christian Higher Education. Between 2008 and 2016, he served as minister in the Reformed Church. Since 2016, he has held various academic and leadership roles in the Faculty of Theology at the NWU, including as senior lecturer, subject chair, acting executive dean and as executive dean since 2019. In 2024, he was promoted to associate professor in New Testament Studies. Prof Goede's academic journey began at the former Rand Afrikaans University (now University of Johannesburg), where he earned BCom and LLB degrees in 1992 and 1995 respectively, after which he practised law as an attorney. He thereafter pursued honours degrees in Theology and Bible Translation at the former Potchefstroom University for Christian Higher Education (North-West University), both completed in 2002. This was followed by two master's degrees, obtained in 2003 and 2005, and a doctoral degree in Greek at the NWU in 2011. Prof Goede's professional career reflects his multifaceted expertise, spanning law, the ministry and academia. In addition to his pastoral and legal experience, he has supervised and co-supervised numerous master's-degree students. His scholarly work has been widely published in academic journals and edited volumes, and he has presented research at both national and international conferences. Once again, I wish Prof Goede well on his new journey at the NWU. The NWU Council has full confidence in his abilities and knows that he will add value to the extensive role of the Office of the Registrar and the NWU, says Bert Sorgdrager, Council Chairperson.
Mail & Guardian
15-05-2025
- Business
- Mail & Guardian
Prof Linda du Plessis rebukes Dawie Roodt's university closure comments
Prof Linda du Plessis. South Africa has too many public universities and most of them should be closed. Furthermore, only 10% of the population should pursue a university education, 'while there is a big shortage at other skill levels'. These are some of the comments recently made by economist Dawie Roodt, who also labelled South Africa's primary education sector as one of the worst in the world, arguing that the quality of state-owned universities has declined and that universities should be more selective when admitting students. He also proposes that South Africans should receive educational vouchers to spend at whichever institution they want. This begs the question: Do South Africa's 19 public universities and seven universities of technology still have a significant role to play in the country's education sector, or does the future – as Roodt argues – increasingly lie in private universities? According to Prof Linda du Plessis, vice-principal and deputy vice-chancellor for teaching and learning at the North-West University (NWU), Roodt's statements fail to consider all the facts. 'Roodt's argument oversimplifies a complex educational and socio-political landscape. South Africa produces high-quality graduates across numerous fields, and his sweeping statements fail to acknowledge the significant strides made in research, teaching, learning and community engagement. Given a graduate employment rate below 10%, compared to a youth unemployment rate exceeding 40%, a degree remains a sound investment,' she says. According to her, Roodt's focus is almost exclusively on the shortcomings of a handful of public universities, without acknowledging the many achievements in various disciplines. 'These include globally recognised researchers and world-class programmes, substantial high-quality, widely cited research output and critical contributions to public health, science and national policy. His narrative is one-sided and overlooks the essential fields that underpin the country's functioning, such as law, accountancy, engineering, nursing, social work and teaching. Of particular concern is the ongoing underperformance of the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) sector and the persistently low enrolment numbers. He barely addresses this or the fact that TVET students are part of the post-school education system and receive NSFAS funding. 'Moreover, public universities are not merely educational institutions; they are engines of social mobility, redress and transformation. Suggesting that only 10% of the population should attend university disregards the national imperative to expand access to higher education, as set out in the National Development Plan (NDP).' She also notes that Roodt compares the performance of public and private institutions without providing empirical evidence or comparative data on student outcomes or employment rates. 'Most private universities in South Africa do not engage in significant research, offer limited post-graduate opportunities and cater to a small segment of the population. They also often lack the research infrastructure necessary for impactful academic work. By contrast, public universities, despite their challenges, have made significant progress in establishing research networks, international collaborations and strategic partnerships with national funding bodies such as the National Research Foundation (NRF) and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). The proposal to introduce vouchers lacks clarity on how they would make a meaningful difference. Students already have the freedom to choose their institution of study. Roodt overlooks critical issues such as planning, accommodation and transport, which are integral to the student experience. The current NSFAS funding model is determined by government policy, not by public universities. One of its greatest benefits has been the promotion of more equitable access to education. Roodt's argument does not address how a privatised system would avoid exacerbating existing inequalities. It might be more appropriate to explore alternatives, such as converting NSFAS to a partial loan scheme, with repayment linked to academic performance – an idea that could merit further economic analysis. The suggestion to 'level the playing field' between public and private universities assumes that they operate under similar mandates and constraints. They do not. Public universities have a constitutional mandate to serve the public good and advance social justice. These are roles that do not align with the profit-driven models typical of private institutions. Ultimately, Roodt's assertions lack a solid evidentiary foundation. While the public university sector has areas requiring improvement, a blanket call to dismantle it in favour of private alternatives reflects a fundamental misunderstanding of the sector's role in society and its broader impact,' Prof du Plessis concludes. To return to the question of whether the country's public universities still have a significant role to play in the country's education sector, the answer seems to be an unequivocal yes. Follow the link to the article here:
The Citizen
12-05-2025
- General
- The Citizen
NWU honours top scholar with doctorate award
One of the world's most cited African scholars, Professor Toyin Falola, is deepening his connection with the North West University (NWU) and its Mahikeng Campus in particular. Two years after delivering a public lecture on indigenous languages and global cultural shifts at this campus, he is returning to receive an honorary doctorate from the university. In recognition of a career that has shaped African historical discourse across continents, the university will present the degree during a graduation ceremony at the Mahikeng Campus on May 9. The award acknowledges Prof Falola's academic achievements, decades-long public engagement, and contributions to global scholarship in history and African studies. 'This is not merely an academic gesture – it is a recognition of a body of work that has deepened how we understand Africa's place in the world,' said Prof Mpho Chaka, deputy dean for teaching and learning in the Faculty of Humanities. 'We honour Prof Falola because his scholarship continues to shift frameworks, challenge assumptions and train the next generation of African thinkers.' Prof Falola started out as a school teacher in Pahayi, Nigeria, in 1970. He joined the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University) as a lecturer in 1981, after completing his PhD in history. By 1991, he had been appointed to the Jacob and Frances Sanger Mossiker Chair in the Humanities at the University of Texas in Austin. His career spans teaching appointments at institutions such as the University of Cambridge, York University, and the Australian National University. He is a fellow of the Nigerian Academy of Letters, as well as the Historical Society of Nigeria, and holds honorary doctorates from 13 institutions globally. With more than 200 authored or edited books and numerous academic papers, Prof Falola is widely regarded as one of the most prolific scholars of African origin. His work engages a broad array of topics, including African intellectual history, empire and globalisation, religion, migration, and diaspora studies. Campus library is well stocked with his books In 2023, Prof Falola donated 27 books to the NWU's Mahikeng Campus library, 12 of which he either authored or co-authored. The volumes explore topics such as decolonisation, African politics, philosophy and historical methodology. That was also the year he delivered his public lecture on the campus, hosted by the Indigenous Language and Media in Africa research focus area. His global influence includes advisory roles for institutions such as the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation, the African Union and the Economic Community of West African States, particularly on issues related to refugees, peacebuilding and cultural policy. The NWU honorary doctorate adds to a long list of awards that includes the Lincoln Award, the Amistad Award and the Nigerian Diaspora Academic Prize. For the NWU, the recognition is not only retrospective but forward-looking – part of a broader mission to honour scholarship that originates in Africa and speaks to the world. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
07-05-2025
- Politics
- The Citizen
Top 10 stories of the day: Five arrested in Aserie Ndlovu case
Here's your daily news update for Wednesday, 7 May 2025: An easy-to-read selection of our top stories. In the news today, police say five suspects have now been arrested in connection with the disappearance of journalist Aserie Ndlovu and his partner, Zodwa Mdhluli, including someone known to his family. Meanwhile, British authorities have denied EFF leader Julius Malema a visa to the United Kingdom, just hours before he was to depart South Africa for the Cambridge Conference. Furthermore, the family of a 20-year-old North-West University student who died after breaking his neck during a rugby match is accusing the coaching staff of being responsible for the death. Weather tomorrow: 8 May 2025 Fine and warm weather is expected across most provinces, while coastal regions brace for weekend wind and wave warnings. Full weather forecast here. Stay up to date with The Citizen – More News, Your Way. Key witness now a suspect as fifth arrest made in missing journalist Aserie Ndlovu case National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola says five suspects have now been arrested in connection with the disappearance of journalist Aserie Ndlovu and his partner, Zodwa Mdhluli. The couple vanished under mysterious circumstances more than two months ago. National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola. Picture: Gallo Images/Laird Forbes It has also come to light that the first suspect arrested in the case, Samuel Mogongwe, was the last person seen with Ndlovu and Mdhluli before their disappearance. According to Mdhluli's son, Treasure, the 41-year-old man is well known to the victims and their families. CONTINUE READING: Key witness now a suspect as fifth arrest made in missing journalist Aserie Ndlovu case Malema denied UK visa British authorities have denied EFF leader Julius Malema a visa to the United Kingdom (UK), just hours before he was to depart South Africa for the Cambridge Conference. The conference is expected to take place this weekend in London. EFF leader Julius Malema during a media brief at the Nasrec Expo Centre in Johannesburg. Picture: X/Economic Freedom Fighters In a post on X, Malema claims that authorities provided 'no substantial justification' for denying him the visa. 'It is clear to me that this is an attempt to silence a dissenting political perspective. We are currently at the OR airport, as we were promised that everything would be sorted by 15:30. Instead, we received a regret letter just four hours before our departure. This is unacceptable and spineless.' CONTINUE READING: Malema denied UK visa Family blames coaches for NWU student rugby death The family of a 20-year-old North-West University (NWU) student who died after breaking his neck during a rugby match is accusing the coaching staff of being responsible for the death. This is because the player was reportedly forced to play in a scrum position without proper training. Student Vilano Saunders broke his neck in a scrum. Picture: Supplied Vilano Saunders, a second-year student at the NWU Vanderbijlpark campus, broke his neck in a match at the campus sports field. He was admitted to the Midvaal Private Hospital and on Monday died as a result of the injury. Blitzboks win Sevens World Championship in Los Angeles Former chief justice Raymond Zondo has questioned former president Jacob Zuma's release from prison on medical parole after defying a Constitutional Court order in 2021. Zondo delivered the keynote address on Tuesday, the second day of the 15th Commonwealth Regional Conference for heads of Anti-Corruption Agencies in Africa. Former Chief Justice Raymond Zondo. Photo: Gallo Images/Veli Nhlapo Zuma, who was sentenced to 15 months in July 2021 for defying a Constitutional Court order to appear at the Zondo Commission of Inquiry into allegations of state capture, was released on medical parole in September 2021 by former correctional services commissioner Arthur Fraser. The former president served just two months of the sentence. CONTINUE READING: WATCH: Zondo questions Zuma's release from prison on medical parole Stars shine for Darren Scott: A benefit concert to honour South Africa's beloved broadcaster After decades behind the mic, legendary South African broadcaster Darren Scott is now in the fight of his life, and he's not doing it alone. Recently returning to South Africa while battling a vicious bout of skin cancer, Darren's voice may be quieter for now, but the country he entertained for years is raising its own in support. Darren Scott on Jacaranda 94.2. 26 January 2011. Picture: Gallo Images/Foto24/Brendan Croft Friends, fans, and fellow entertainers have come together to throw a heartfelt lifeline: a special benefit concert to raise funds for his ongoing treatment. Set for Wednesday, 14 May at The Venue, Melrose Arc, the Benefit for Darren promises to be a night of music, comedy, and community spirit. CONTINUE READING: Stars shine for Darren Scott: A benefit concert to honour South Africa's beloved broadcaster Here are five more stories of the day: Yesterday's News recap READ HERE: Top 10 stories of the day: Citizenship Act clause 'unlawful' | 'Explain NHI signing' | Chicken prices might increase
