Latest news with #North-WestUniversity
The Citizen
a day ago
- Health
- The Citizen
NWU TRACTOR rally makes appearance in Klerksdorp
The North-West University's (NWU) TRACTOR rally aimed at shining a light on the emotional, social, and financial impact of dementia and Alzheimer's disease in South Africa, held a trail run in Klerksdorp on July 19. The run was organised as precursor to the campaign which will run from August 30 to September 12 and will span several provinces. At each stop, communities will engage in awareness and support events designed to educate, connect, and inspire. TRACTOR stands for 'Together Rallying Across Communities To Overcome Remembrance-loss.' At the heart of the campaign is a symbolic tractor, decorated to represent memory, resilience, and hope. The vehicle serves as a metaphor for the slow but determined journey many families face as they care for loved ones suffering from memory loss. The campaign's unique and creative approach sets the stage for meaningful conversations and lasting impact in both rural and urban communities. The TRACTOR Awareness Rally aims to raise awareness about the growing prevalence of dementia, educate the public on health and caregiving resources, and combat the stigma surrounding memory-related conditions. With over 187,000 South Africans over the age of 60 currently living with dementia—and estimates suggesting that this number could rise to 250,000 by 2030—the need for awareness, education, and support has never been more urgent. Families affected by dementia often endure emotional strain and financial difficulties, while caregivers face isolation, burnout, and a lack of formal support systems. This campaign seeks to offer relief through knowledge, connection, and public dialogue. The NWU staff and students are playing a vital role in the campaign. Student volunteers will help with logistics, venue preparation, and local programme coordination throughout the rally. The campaign will also contribute to ongoing academic research by gathering data, conducting interviews, and documenting personal stories that provide insight into the lived experiences of caregivers and affected families. The campaign will have a strong digital footprint, including livestreamed sessions and regular updates across social media platforms under the hashtag #TRACTORforMemory. Mini replica tractors will be distributed along the route as keepsakes, symbolising remembrance and community solidarity. These tokens aim to serve as lasting reminders of the importance of empathy and collective support in the face of memory loss.
The Citizen
a day ago
- Health
- The Citizen
NWU eyes academic hospital as health department plans expansion
With the Desmond Tutu School of Medicine nearing completion, NWU is hopeful that a teaching hospital will soon support its vision to provide top-tier medical training and care. Rural universities that do not have a tertiary hospital attached to them have expressed hope of having such facilities in the future to enhance academic teaching. Only North West, Mpumalanga and Northern Cape do not have any academic hospitals affiliated with them. Gauteng has at least six academic hospitals clustered around Pretoria and Johannesburg, the largest number in the country, followed by Cape Town. The role of academic hospitals in health and education Academic hospitals are referral hospitals designed to serve various purposes, including education, training for health care professionals, research and specialised and advanced health care by professionals and medical students as part of teaching and training and care of patients referred by regional and district hospitals. North-West University (NWU) is one of the tertiary institutions hoping to benefit from the recent announcement by Minister of Health Dr Aaron Motsoaledi that his department planned to add to the country's existing 10 academic hospitals. He made the announcement while presenting his department's budget vote in the National Council of Provinces last week. Medical school construction already underway NWU vice-chancellor and principal Prof Bismark Tyobeka welcomed the announcement. ALSO READ: Ithuba celebrates graduation milestone of bursary programme beneficiaries It couldn't have come at a better time for his university, which is in the process of building the Desmond Tutu School of Medicine, which is in the advanced stages of construction. Tyobeka said: 'For a medical school to function effectively it needs to be supported by an allied teaching hospital. We can put our students there for practicals.' He said the province's poorest of the poor stood to benefit from such an academic hospital as they wouldn't need to wait in queues for specialised health care at hospitals in Gauteng or Cape Town. Desmond Tutu School of Medicine set to open in 2028 The Desmond Tutu School of Medicine at NWU will open in January 2028, with the first intake of 80 first-year students. The school will accommodate 100 students in 2030 and up to 120 students by 2032-33. 'It is heartening to see that the public health care system, on which almost 90% of South Africans rely, is a high government priority,' said Tyobeka. 'Health care is a promise to our citizens that we must keep.' NOW READ: WATCH: Build One South Africa's Mmusi Maimane's gets his PhD
eNCA
22-07-2025
- Business
- eNCA
Hunters benefit rural communities
POTCHEFSTROOM - Hunting tourism contributes more than R44-billion to South Africa's economy. A study by North-West University shows that both local and international trophy hunting have recovered since the Covid-19 pandemic and are now playing a key role in the economy. The benefits go beyond tourism, reaching sectors like agriculture, trade, transport, accommodation, and personal services. Professor Peet van der Merwe, a tourism management lecturer at North-West University, says hunting tourism fits well in rural areas where there are few economic opportunities and it contributes significantly to wildlife conservation and local development.
The Citizen
19-07-2025
- Health
- The Citizen
ARVs not found in Gauteng drinking water, says Rand Water
'Rand Water has not detected ARVs at the point of abstraction in the Vaal Dam and not in any of its treated final drinking water.' Rand Water says its water is safe to drink. Picture: iStock Rand Water has allayed fears of ARV-contaminated drinking water in Gauteng. Recent research by North-West University found a significant concentration of ARVs in SA water sources. A high number of South Africans are currently on HIV/ Aids treatment, leading to traces of the chemical entering sewage systems. Water and sanitation department spokesperson Wisane Mavasa said this week that traces of ARVs were found downstream of wastewater treatment plants. 'This means that the municipal wastewater treatment works are not removing them, because most existing wastewater treatment works have not been designed to remove CECs. Low concentrations of ARVs were found in some of the drinking water samples. 'There is a possibility that high concentrations of ARVs in sewage or municipal wastewater might reduce the effectiveness of the wastewater treatment works in removing bacteria from the wastewater. Further research is required in this regard,' Mavasa said. Rand Water on ARVs Rand Water said it had been monitoring ARVs since 2015 and confirmed that it had located the chemicals in natural waters located downstream of wastewater treatment plants. However, the utility takes water from the Vaal Dam, which is upstream of these plants. 'Rand Water has not detected ARVs at the point of abstraction in the Vaal Dam and not in any of its treated final drinking water.' It assured the public that its drinking water is safe for human consumption and complies with water standards. 'Rand Water remains committed to ongoing research around emerging contaminants in source waters. This is achieved through active participation in national research projects and funding of university chairs in water utilisation, organic chemistry, and public health.' ALSO READ: Here's government's plan for South Africa's ARV-contaminated water Government to address contamination if needed Speaking in Parliament on Tuesday, the water department said it would develop strategies to address contamination, if necessary. This would include working with researchers and the Water Research Commission. 'Most wastewater treatment works were designed some time ago, and they weren't designed with this high level of antiretroviral chemicals being in sewage in mind,' the department's director-general Sean Phillips explained. NOW READ: Water department explains why microplastics, chemicals and ARVs are in South African water
IOL News
17-07-2025
- Business
- IOL News
How private land is outpacing national parks in supporting South Africa's wildlife
Simbavati Hilltop Lodge. Image: Supplied Private land now hosts more of South Africa's wildlife population than national parks. This is according to a new study led by Professor Peet van der Merwe and Professor Andrea Saayman from the North-West University titled, 'Assessing the contributions of hunting tourism to the South African economy: a post‑Covid analysis,' which calculates hunting tourism's annual contribution to South Africa's economy at a staggering USD2.5 billion(about R44.03 billion). They said the figure is not just large, but transformative. The study argues that hunting revenue has underwritten significant rewilding efforts. The researchers also point to a powerful conservation dividend. They said, contrary to popular belief, regulated hunting creates financial incentives for landowners to protect and repopulate wild species. Without such incentives, they said, many might revert to traditional farming, leading to habitat loss and diminished biodiversity. The analysis said hunting tourism's lifeblood flows into rural economies, often bypassed by mainstream tourism. It said provinces like Limpopo benefit enormously from the inflow, with private game farms-many converted from struggling livestock operations-thriving through sustainable use. The professors said perhaps the most striking finding is employment, as approximately 95 000 jobs in South Africa depended on hunting tourism. Many of these roles, such as trackers, farm hands and cleaners, require limited formal education, making the sector a vital source of income in a country grappling with a 32.9% unemployment rate. Over 60% of these jobs fall within low-skilled categories, underscoring hunting tourism's outsized impact on South Africa's most vulnerable workers. While to some, hunting remains morally fraught, this study emphasises that economic survival for many rural communities hinges on this industry. Importantly, its authors said the research does not gloss over ethical concerns. Instead, they said it calls for measured policy, recognising hunting tourism's proven contribution to jobs, conservation and poverty alleviation. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading Moreover, they said the sector's resilience post-Covid is telling as international travel resumes, South Africa has found in hunting tourism a niche that not only endures but thrives. They said this speaks to a broader shift in post-pandemic tourism: towards immersive, exclusive, and at times, controversial experiences. With sectors like agriculture, hospitality, and logistics all feeding off the hunting economy, the study urges policymakers to acknowledge and protect this value chain. It said that legislation around land use, conservation and hunting quotas must be grounded in economic realities and not mere ideological preferences. They said that missteps in that regard could jeopardise both wildlife and livelihoods. 'Hunting tourism may not be everyone's idea of a sustainable economy. Yet, in South Africa's post-pandemic landscape, it is delivering where others have faltered. It supports rural economies, funds conservation, and employs tens of thousands, many of them low-income workers with few alternatives.' The professors said that in a world seeking green growth with social equity, the rifle may be a more unexpected ally than critics cared to admit. Local hunters, who are mostly middle-aged men from provinces like Gauteng, make up the bulk of this economic activity. With each local hunter spending an average of USD3,594 per season, their collective annual spend tops USD718 million. International hunters, often affluent retirees from the United States, spend far more per trip, an average of USD32,663. primarily on game, trophies, accommodation, and daily rates. Though fewer in number, their spending adds another USD169 million to the tally. But the study said the significance goes beyond raw expenditure. It said that employing a Social Accounting Matrix (SAM), the researchers found a production multiplier of 2.97. In lay terms: for every USD1 spent, an additional USD1.97 is generated in economic activity. The ripple effect spreads across agriculture, trade, accommodation, transport, and personal services. Delivering the Department of Tourism Budget Vote last week, Minister Patricia de Lille said over the past financial year 2024/25, South Africa experienced an upswing in tourism, with an increase in international visitors, reaching a peak of 9.1 million. She said domestic overnight travel continued its upward trajectory, with 40 million trips recorded, up from 37.7 million in the previous year. International tourists contributed a total foreign direct spend of R92.8 billion in the previous financial year, while domestic tourism grew by 7.6%, reaching R133.1 billion in the 2024/25 financial year. On a policy level, the department said it completed and implemented the Tourism Master Plan and finalised the Tourism White Paper and Tourism Route Development Marketing Plan.
