Announcements

Update: Water situation on the Potchefstroom Campus

10 April 2024

Following the communiques  on 5 and 7 April 2024, herewith an update regarding the water supply situation in Potchefstroom and surrounding areas. Even though most of the major issues were resolved from the J B Marks Municipality’s side, certain repairs still need to be done to some of the major water supply pipelines.

They can however at this stage not give any indication as to when these will be completed. We can however confirm that inflow into all reservoirs on the campus has been restored and there is sufficient pressure to serve all academic buildings and residences. It must be indicated that should a sudden shutdown from the municipality occur, problems will again be experienced on the west campus. Based on the current situation, the following arrangements will be implemented with immediate effect:

• All contact and face-to-face classes will resume on Monday, 15 April 2024. Students can start returning to campus as from today as some of the planned activities for the remainder of the week and upcoming weekend will continue.
• All staff members at the Potchefstroom Campus can return to campus as from Thursday, 11 April 2024. Please just ensure that water is used sparingly.
• Should there be a need for it, measures implemented to ensure provision of water for drinking purposes as well as for hygienic use to students will be maintained.

I want to thank all staff and students for their cooperation in ensuring that the situation could be handled to the best of our ability. Our sincerest appreciation to also the various Council members from the J B Marks Municipality for their continuous support in ensuring that the matters were addressed.
Should the situation change, arrangements will be communicated expeditiously.

Kind regards
Prof Daryl Balia
Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Information Technology and Potchefstroom Campus Operations

 

Urgent update: Water shortage on the Potchefstroom Campus

7 April 2024

Following the communique on 5 April, herewith an update regarding the water supply situation in Potchefstroom and surrounding areas. Even though the inflow of water from the J B Marks Municipality’s side have improved at some points, this is still not enough to ensure that reservoirs on campus can fill up and thus ensure the necessary water pressure in academic buildings and residences. Due to the current usage on campus, the situation is seriously deteriorating, especially in residences. To ensure that all occupational health requirements are met, and in line with our ethic of care, the following arrangements will be implemented with immediate effect:

• All contact or face-to-face classes are suspended for at least the rest of the week, and academics are requested to make study material available on eFundi. Students who have the means to go home and continue with their participation in the academic programme online are requested to do so urgently.
• All staff members at the Potchefstroom Campus - excluding those whose job demands would not allow (essential services), should work from home until the water crisis has been resolved. Staff who need to be on campus are requested to only make use of bathroom facilities on the ground floors of the respective buildings to ensure continued proper hygiene services.
• All graduation ceremonies scheduled for the upcoming week will continue as arranged.
• The Varsity Cup match scheduled for 8 April will continue as all necessary contingency measures have been put in place.
• All measures implemented to ensure provision of water for drinking purposes as well as for hygienic use to students will be maintained and expanded if necessary. Arrangements have also been made to assist students residing in off-campus residences to collect water from Cachet Park.
• Faculties with specific requirements pertaining to programmes that require students to remain on campus, will communicate this information to affected students via eFundi. Any enquiries in this regard can be directed to the relevant Executive Dean’s office.

Our current focus is to ensure that residences are supplied with the necessary assistance. Staff and students who absolutely need to be on campus are requested to continue to use water sparingly. We need the assistance of all staff and students to ensure that the situation can be handled to the best of our abilities. At this stage, we do not have any indication as to when the situation will be fully resolved but anticipate the situation to remain the same the entire week.

Several organisations and persons are distributing information regarding the water crisis in Potchefstroom via social media. Although these are important, we kindly urge you to rely on the official communication from the NWU only, for accurate updates. Thank you for your support and cooperation in this regard.

Should the situation improve earlier than anticipated, changes in arrangements will be communicated expeditiously.

Kind regards
Prof Daryl Balia
Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Information Technology and Potchefstroom Campus Operations

Measures put in place to address water shortage

5 April 2024

Herewith an update regarding the water supply situation in Potchefstroom and surrounding areas.

To ensure that students and staff can cope with the current situation, the following measures have been put in place:

• 35 water tanks have been sourced that will be filled with campus borehole water to be used for hygiene utilisation (washing and toileting) in residences. These are being placed close to residences across the campus and are in the process of being filled.
• 10 litres of drinkable water will be distributed to each on-campus residence student.
• 40 portable toilets have been sourced: 20 was placed in the vicinity of the graduation environment and the rest will be placed at strategic places across campus.

We contacted most of the private providers of accommodation, of which many indicated that they have water tanks for back-up water. A number of these also indicated that they currently do not have any water supply problems.

According to information received, the municipality expects the water shortage to continue until early next week, therefore please use water sparingly in buildings where it is still available.

Should anything drastically change, you will be informed during the course of the weekend.

Kind regards
Prof Daryl Balia
Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Information Technology and Potchefstroom Campus Operations

General communique regarding the suspension of NWU student, disrupting the 2024 first-year registration and orientation programme during February 2024

11 March 2024

The purpose of this communique is to respond to various media reports as well as stakeholder enquiries.

From the outset, it is important for you to be aware of the obligation of the North-West University (NWU) as a public institution that needs to diligently comply with all measures of confidentiality regarding disciplinary processes and the information that may be divulged with regard thereto. To this end, the university’s disciplinary measures against Mr Shaun Christie (“the student”) are ongoing and confidential in nature, and my office will strictly abide to these confidential measures.

However, our institution is entitled and duty-bound to respond to factual inaccuracies, inconsistent reporting, and in some cases plain rumours spread via various media platforms. We hereby take this opportunity to state the facts regarding the ongoing disciplinary process as follows:

1. During my tenure as the Chief Disciplinary Officer of students, no student at our institution has, or will be, suspended from university activities based on their religious beliefs.
2. The student was not suspended for standing up to or pronouncing his Christian beliefs.
3. The NWU is the programme owner of, amongst others, a registration and orientation programme that involves sessions where inter alia, students are informed about the constitutional protection afforded to minority groups at our institution, including but not limited to, international students, students living with disabilities, and those students associated with the LGBTQIAP+ community. Attendance at the specific session referred to in the disciplinary process is not compulsory, and the invitees were limited to first year students, student leaders, employees from Student Life portfolio, and guest speakers.
4. The student you have raised concerns about is a final year law student and was not an invitee to the specific session. Nevertheless, the student attended the session without requesting permission to do so or to be allowed to act as speaker. He was still allowed to attend the session to which he gained access on his own accord.
5. During the information session presented by a legitimately invited guest speaker, the student rudely interrupted the programme; thus, he is facing the following disciplinary charges which were made public in the media and are therefore already in the public domain:
   • Wilful disruption of a university programme.
   • Hate speech and inciting students to stand up against the LGBTQIAP+ community.
   • Disregard for the rights of the guest speaker.
   • Animosity against the LGBTQIAP+ community; and/or
   • Wilful false public statements regarding our university’s intolerance against Christian values.
6. Our institution recognises, respects, and embraces all religions on our campuses, as well as the rights of any person(s) from minority groups including the LGBTQIAP+ community, along with all other constitutional rights afforded to us by our Constitution.
7. Any suggestion that the student was suspended based on his religious belief is devoid of any truth. The university further respects our proud religious heritage as long as this respect does not create an image that we are a Christian only public higher education institution. As a unitary institution, we embrace persons from all walks of life, religions, race, gender, language, and the constitutional right to freely associate and express oneself on our campuses as long as this association and/or expression is executed without infringing unreasonably on the rights of others.
8. We trust that the information above will assist in the dissemination of correct information in the public domain regarding the current disciplinary process relating to the student. The university will unfortunately not engage in discussions regarding specific details of the disciplinary process. At this stage, it is worth to note that the student’s suspension has been relaxed to the extent that he may continue his academic duties pending the outcome. The hearing was scheduled for 29 February, postponed until 12 March and then again to 27 March.  

Yours faithfully

Prof Mzubanzi Bismark Tyobeka
Principal and Vice-Chancellor

Take note: final registration data and preliminary registered students

13 March 2024

Considering that the NWU’s enrolment target as agreed with the DHET had been exceeded, and that the process for the submission of final registration data to the DHET must now be completed, management has decided that preliminary registered students will remain on the system until midnight on 20 March 2024. Thereafter, no further exceptions will be made. For any assistance, kindly visit the financial office on your campus.

Status of activities on Vanderbijlpark Campus and fake news

1 March 2024

Status of activities

Face-to-face classes will resume on Monday, 4 March 2024. Academics are requested to continue making study material available on eFundi. Staff can come to campus and planned meetings can proceed. The Protection Service and other law enforcement agencies remain on alert.

No student lost their lives during the illegal protest at the NWU Vanderbijlpark Campus on 27 February

NWU notes false and malicious information spread on digital media regarding incidents that emanated from an illegal protest action at the Vanderbijlpark Campus on 27 February 2024.

No student has died as maliciously reported by unscrupulous individuals. It is a fact that a group of students disrupted the university’s academic programme and other activities on campus. Read more

Update: Disruption of activities at the Vanderbijlpark Campus

28 February 2024

Following the unrest and disruption of the academic programme and services on the Vanderbijlpark Campus, yesterday, 27 February, the Campus Management hosted meetings with several stakeholders to find solutions. We are satisfied with the progress made during these meetings and will continue to involve other relevant stakeholders to ensure that the unfortunate incident does not recur. To this end, we are pleased to announce that contact/face-to-face classes will resume on Friday, 1 March 2024. All staff are hereby requested to return to the office tomorrow, 29 February 2024. The Protection Service and other law enforcement agencies remain on alert to deal decisively with any transgression.

We must reiterate that the university does not have control regarding the evaluation of NSFAS applications, approvals, appeals, and defunding processes. Students and the entire student population in our country are aware of this; thus, it is disheartening to witness unfortunate chaotic events such as the one that happened yesterday. As indicated in yesterday’s communique, perpetrators of the unrest will be dealt with harshly.

Once again, we recognise the inconvenience, confusion, and frustration that yesterday’s incident caused. Staff and students who need help are encouraged to liaise with relevant structures on campus including the office of the DVC, Prof Linda du Plessis.

Let us all continue to work towards a successful academic year.
Let’s get to work colleagues.

Thank you

Prof Mzubanzi Bismark Tyobeka
Principal and vice-chancellor

 

Disruption of activities on the Vanderbijlpark Campus

27 February 2024

The disruptive actions on the Vanderbijlpark Campus today, 27 February 2024, are completely unacceptable and will not be tolerated. We view these incidents in a very serious light and appreciate that the South African Police Services (SAPS) prioritised our call for intervention. We will under no circumstances allow a small group of students to infringe on the rights of staff, students, and other stakeholders, and to disrupt the university’s academic programme. We shall immediately implement our disciplinary processes to those implicated.

The university has rules and standard operating procedures that govern engagements and communication between students and management. The Student Campus Council (SCC) has the responsibility and accountability to initiate discussions with management regarding issues of concern and work towards sustainable solutions. Since early this morning, the management of the Vanderbijlpark Campus, under the leadership of Prof Linda du Plessis, unsuccessfully made various attempts to reach out to the SCC and protesting students to hear about their grievances.   Therefore, management does not know the grievances or concerns that led to the unrest.  

We are working with relevant stakeholders including the SAPS to ensure stability and safety on the campus. In the meantime, all staff on the Vanderbijlpark Campus are requested to work remotely effective tomorrow, Wednesday, 28 February 2024. All contact or face-to-face classes are suspended, and academics are requested to make study material available on eFundi.

We acknowledge the trauma and inconvenience that this situation may have caused among members of the campus community. We urge you to be patient with us as we work towards our collective safety and a conducive academic programme.  We will continue to monitor the situation and update you accordingly.

Students are once again reminded that they can seek assistance at the following departments and faculties:

Bursary enquiries: (016) 910 3157 or (016) 910 3134
Account enquiries: 016 910 3234/3531/3158
VC-UnderGradBurs@nwu.ac.za
VC-PostGradBurs@nwu.ac.za

Accounting
Tel: +27(0)16 910 3162
35191708@nwu.ac.za

Economic and Management Sciences
Tel: +27 (0)16 910 3344
49894706@nwu.ac.za

Education
Tel: +27 (0)16 910 3137
13151398@nwu.ac.za

Health Sciences
Tel: +27 (0)16 910 3108
12899364@nwu.ac.za

Humanities
Tel: +27(0)16 910 3016
25874608@nwu.ac.za

Law
Tel: +27(0)16 910 3114
21875170@nwu.ac.za

Natural and Agricultural Sciences
Tel: +27 (0)16 910 3108
12899364@nwu.ac.za
 
Theology
Tel: +27 (0)16 910 3114
21875170@nwu.ac.za
 
Honours and Postgraduate Diploma
Tel: +27 (0)16 910 3108
12899364@nwu.ac.za

Thank you.
Prof Mzubanzi Bismark Tyobeka
Principal and vice-chancellor

 

Update: Payments to NSFAS approved students

26 February 2024

All NSFAS approved students will this week receive 50% of their book allowances and their first living allowance. These students must please ensure that their banking details are updated on the NWU DIY. In March the remaining book allowance as well as the second living allowance will be paid. All of these payments will be done from the NWU’s side. According to NSFAS, from the end of March, payments will again be made by Norraco.

Update regarding the investigation into disruptive actions during an official NWU event

13 February 2024

In terms of the disciplinary procedures of the university, any student being temporarily suspended, has the right to appeal to such. The student in question allegedly involved in an incident on Tuesday, 6 February 2024, appealed on Friday, 9 February. Based on his appeal, approval was granted that he be allowed to participate in academic matters only. He has to report to Protection Services upon accessing the North-West University’s Potchefstroom Campus. Investigation into the matter continues.

A senior student who was attending the session stood up from the audience, moved to the front of the stage, and expressed his displeasure pertaining to the LGBTQIA+ content on the agenda. This was done in a disruptive manner that did not respect the rights of other members of the audience, and certainly not what is expected from members of the NWU.  The student’s actions resulted in disruption and confusion among the students, and a large section of the audience left the proceedings.

As part of the North-West University (NWU) Council approved annual Registration and Orientation Programme of the first-year students on the Potchefstroom Campus, this session addressed the following topics: psychological fitness, rights of persons living with disabilities, LGBTQIA+ community matters, and environmental sustainability awareness.

We strongly condemn any actions where these fundamental rights of association and expression are infringed upon, and this incident is continued to be viewed in a very serious light.

eFundi access for provisionally registered students

12 February 2024

Within the University's boundary conditions pertaining to provisionally registered students not being admitted to campus, support for these students is provided and enabled.

In those terms:

• provisionally registered students do have access to eFundi;
• academics are aware of the need to place materials sufficient for students to commence learning from Monday, and to communicate as such to students;
• where needed by students, catch-up opportunities for assignments and assessments; are available to provisionally registered students.

A fully hybrid online programme, as is suggested in a letter received from the EFF at Mahikeng Campus, is not possible to offer to students in parallel with the contact teaching programme for 2 reasons:

• only 121 of NWU venues are set up with thus infrastructure for a fully hybrid experience and these are subject to instability of connectivity and power supply;
• timetables are not aligned for all three campuses except for a few fully aligned programmes.

It is also not possible to suspend the contact teaching academic programme. Provisionally registered students not able to access campus, are requested to contact their lecturers with any questions, and to read eFundi communications as regards guidance and direction in the use of materials placed online to support the academic programme.

 

Disruption of the Registration and Orientation Programme on the Potchefstroom Campus

8 February 2024

On Tuesday, 6 February 2024, as part of the North-West University (NWU) Council approved annual Registration and Orientation Programme of the first-year students on the Potchefstroom Campus, an incident occurred during a session that addressed the following topics: psychological fitness, rights of persons living with disabilities, LGBTQIA+ community matters, and environmental sustainability awareness.

A senior student who was attending the session stood up from the audience, moved to the front of the stage, and expressed his displeasure pertaining to the LGBTQIA+ content on the agenda. This was done in a disruptive manner that did not respect the rights of other members of the audience, and certainly not what is expected from members of the NWU.  The student’s actions resulted in disruption and confusion among the students, and a large section of the audience left the proceedings. The NWU prides itself on being a diverse and inclusive institution which allows constructive discourse on all matters irrespective of race, religion, culture, or gender/sexual orientation.

We strongly condemn any actions where these fundamental rights of association and expression are infringed upon. We view the incident in a very serious light; hence, we immediately commenced an investigation. Consequently, the student in question has been temporarily suspended for his disruptive behaviour, pending the finalisation of the investigation.

The orientation of first-year students to a new environment that should serve as their home for the next few years needs to cover as many relevant issues as possible to ensure that they know and appreciate the diverse nature of a higher education institution such as the NWU. Therefore, we will continue to allow our staff and students to share and offer advice regarding matters that are relevant for the university community and society in general. Students who feel that their rights are violated or disrespected should make use of the various reporting mechanisms including the thoughts and complaints lines, or the offices of the Directors of Student Life on our campuses.

• Mahikeng: 018 389 2156
• Potchefstroom: 018 299 2830
• Vanderbijlpark: 016 910 3227

 

NWU Corporate Relations and Marketing

 

Follow-up statement on alleged bribery for admissions at our campuses

6 February 2024

Dear prospective students and parents,

This is a friendly reminder to please be cautious of unscrupulous characters around our campuses promising to facilitate your admission to the North-West University. These criminal elements promise to admit students, in exchange of payment, even when their applications are  unsuccessful.

Please avoid falling victim to such schemes. The university processes payments exclusively through its official financial systems. The banking details are available on the website and our Finance department can assist those who must pay for registration. Applications to study at the NWU are free.
 
The South African Police Service is investigating the scam and is reportedly making progress.  Please report perpetrators of this scam and any other fraudulent incidents to our Protection Services department at:

Mahikeng Campus:
Building A16
018 389 2331 / 2167 / 2432

Potchefstroom Campus:
Building F17
018 299 2215 / 2211
081 897 5671

Vanderbijlpark Campus:
Building A25
016 910 3339

You can also report at the local police station(s).

Status of registration at the North-West University

Dear NWU stakeholder

The North-West University (NWU) is satisfied with progress of the registration process for the 2024 academic year. As at mid-day on 5 February 2024, close to twelve thousand, four hundred (12 400) first-year students (contact and distance) have been registered (fully or preliminarily registered.) Our enrolment target for first year students for the 2024 academic year is twelve thousand, nine-hundred and four (12 904). We have received more than hundred and eighty thousand (180 000) applications.

When including returning students, more than 50 000 students (contact and distance) have been registered thus far. We are confident that we will meet our enrolment target when registration closes on 9 February. A range of issues including funding are crucial to ensure that students are fully registered. We are aware that many of the provisionally registered students are still awaiting financial clearance to complete their registration.

We recognise that the delayed release of the NSFAS funding results has an impact on many students’ registration and access to campus(es). We are encouraged that NSFAS has already released some of the details of funded students and we recommit to assist where possible to ensure that our students can commence with their academic programme on 12 February.

Kindly take note that the registration status of students (first years and returning students) can only be made final once their funding status has been confirmed.  Regrettably, students who are conditionally registered will not be allowed to make use of university facilities or occupy university residences.

Many of fully registered first-year students have already moved into university residences and private accommodation and are participating in the Registration and Orientation (R&O) programme that commenced on 3 February across our campuses. We thank staff and student leaders who are ensuring that the R&O programme runs smoothly and creates a welcoming environment for our first-year students.

For any enquiries regarding your registration status, kindly contact us at:

• NWU Central Admission and Applications Office: 018 285 4320
• NWU Mahikeng Campus: 018 389 2252/018 389 2525
• NWU Potchefstroom Campus: 018 299 4259 / 018 299 4123
• NWU Vanderbijlpark Campus: 016 910 3168 / 016 910 3119

Best wishes

NWU Corporate Relations and Marketing

Status of NSFAS allowance reconciliation for 2023

After an extensive two-month consultation with NSFAS, the NWU is delighted to share the successful finalisation and agreement on the reconciliation of allowances of 23,386 NSFAS students for the year 2023.

We are pleased to inform you that the NWU will be disbursing the last and final allowance for 2023, covering living and applicable travel allowances during the upcoming week.  NSFAS however still owes the NWU millions in respect of 2023 and prior years, and the payment of these allowances will be made from our internal cash flow.

Please note that there is however a group of 282 students whose unpaid allowances are not yet resolved between the NWU and NSFAS. Reconciliation of data is still in process.   

Student Finances will send an SMS to both groups of students.

We remain committed to actively engage with NSFAS in the best interest of our students towards a smooth and transparent financial assistance experience for all our students.

 

Update on NSFAS payments

17 January 2024

For the past 2 months, NSFAS has consistently referred to ongoing reconciliations before proceeding with any further payments in respect of 2023.  However, as of now, no reconciliation has been shared with the NWU.  In contrast,  the NWU has shared its reconciliation with NSFAS and is awaiting feedback from them.  We are eagerly awaiting their feedback, which they indicated will be by the end of business on 16 January.   Unfortunately, they requested extension of time and will meet with student finance officials at 15:00 on 17 January 2024.  

As soon as we receive the necessary information and approval from NSFAS, we will pay the outstanding allowances immediately even if we have to use the already constrained NWU funds. Please note that NSFAS owes the NWU R372m for 2023 and a further R108m for previous years, which you can understand put a lot of pressure on our cash flow.  Nevertheless, the NWU remains committed to assist students.

The principal and vice-chancellor, Prof Bismark Tyobeka is the chair of a special task team introduced by the Minister in the second week of January 2024 to work with NSFAS and the DHET representatives and try and get NSFAS issues resolved ASAP.  Once again, the NWU is actively involved in the sector to try and assist all the students and institutions and get outstanding matters resolved.

The NWU already in Dec 2023 applied for permission to pay out allowances for 2024 ourselves. We will push for this decision as hard as we can, but unfortunately have not received any feedback as yet.