Mahikeng Campus Security Enhancement Project

Safety and Security “Purple” Routes

The NWU embraces an ethic of care, hence it conducted a needs analysis after students indicated that they are confronted with different challenges that make them uncomfortable to use the routes situated between the campus and their off-campus residences.

The NWU regards the prevention of crime as an institutional priority. To address the off-campus safety of NWU students and employees in a holistic manner, management decided on the creation of safe routes to deter offenders.

Two safety routes have been identified to start the Safety “Purple” Routes project. The first phase will cover the University Drive (from the main gate to Mega City) and Dr James Moroka Drive (from the Lost City Residence pedestrian gate to Mega City) routes.

purple route Mahikeng Campus​

The routes will be branded with NWU colours, and security officers will be deployed to patrol the proposed streets. The routes will have:

  • Chromodeck boards that will be installed at each of the entrances, including some foot paths with traffic.
  • Warp light poles with purple PVC banners to indicate the purple route.
    • 5 light poles to be wrapped on University Drive
    • 5 light poles to be wrapped on Dr James Moroka Drive
    • 5 light poles to be wrapped on Dr Albert Luthuli Road
  • Concrete bins have been installed throughout the routes. NWU Facilities and Maintenance will deploy cleaners on daily basis to sweep/clean the sidewalks.
  • Two security officers from Campus Protection Services will be deployed per route from 06:00 – 18:00.

In the interest of student and staff safety, management have decided to go ahead and implement the first phase of the Safety Purple Routes from 16 October 2023. Students and staff are encouraged to utilise these routes and keep them clean.

There are however few critical matters that the NWU is urgently addressing with the municipality:

  • the open manholes which are hazardous to the public;
  • the streetlights; and
  • uneven paving.

Management would like to request students and staff to support and cooperate with the deployed personnel for the success of the safe “Purple” routes.