Crop production in South Africa is overshadowed by storm clouds, and not the type that farmers crave. A multitude of uncertainties combine to darken prospects for the country’s crop farmers, which include climate change, water shortages, soil degradation, disease, economic instability and infrastructure and energy restrictions.

That is why researchers at the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences of the North-West University (NWU) pursue active solutions for the country’s most critical agricultural issues.

To be able to do this, the NWU must remain at the forefront of innovation, and two new agriculture-oriented projects testify to the commitment of the university in this regard: the NWU AgriHub and the HVAC Growth Facility.

Prof Jacques Berner, sub-programme leader, is an expert in the field of crop physiology, with a focus on photosynthesis and the adjustment of ancient grain crops to environmental stress. His expertise lies in the investigation of physiological reactions of crops to drought and extreme temperatures. He explains more about the Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Growth Facility (HVAC Growth Facility): “This advanced facility will offer controlled environments that mimic various climatic conditions, including variations in temperature, light, humidity, drought and flooding. It will create the ideal environment for research on the impact of climate change on plant growth and development. By simulating different environmental variables, the facility will enable researchers to study how plants react to varying light conditions, temperature stressors and water shortages. This will provide valuable insights into their resilience, adaptability and overall health in changing environmental conditions. This research can potentially make a considerable contribution to agricultural practices and strategies to mitigate climate change,” says Berner.

The university is also looking beyond the immediate future at other possibilities of supporting the agricultural sector.

Prof Gerhard du Preez of the Agricultural Sciences group adds: “We want to establish the NWU AgriHub of Excellence, which is located just 4km from the Potchefstroom Campus of the NWU, as a centre for agricultural innovation, research and training. This season, we are starting a grain-based long-term trial and will focus on diverse agricultural systems to promote sustainable food production. Our vision is to develop solutions that will ensure food security and environmental sustainability while we bridge knowledge gaps between the academic world, the industry, the government and farmers. This centre will serve as a platform for influential research, industry co-operation and the development of agricultural systems that are designed for the challenges of the future,” Berner says.

According to Prof Bismark Tyobeka, principal and vice-chancellor of the NWU, the university is investigating the possibility of establishing a veterinary school, which will work with, among other institutions, the NWU’s subject group Animal Health, and the agricultural programme will work to make food security a priority.

“In the country and in the North West, agriculture plays an important role in adding economic value, providing job opportunities, promoting rural development and creating food security. If we look at food security, there is currently a great need in our province and in our country, but the university has the capacity and expertise to make an appreciable difference in this sector, and we increase our involvement in the agricultural sector by further developing our partnerships with the government and the private sector,” says Prof Tyobeka.

In addition to these efforts, the NWU is also looking at co-operation with the struggling agricultural colleges in the province, and considerable progress has already been made in this regard.

Agriculture is one of the pillars supporting the South African economy, and the NWU is committed to ensuring that this sector is not only healthy, but also grows. 

• For the full article in English, follow the link here: https://news.nwu.ac.za/north-west-university-forefront-agricultural-innovation

On Thursday, 28 November, the North-West University (NWU) conferred an honorary doctorate on the renowned economist Prof Raymond Parsons.

The honorary doctorate was awarded in recognition of the exceptional contribution Prof Parsons has made to the country throughout his distinguished career as an organised business leader, academic, media personality, economic commentator and author. Among his many achievements is the groundbreaking work he has done on the development and refinement of the NWU Policy Uncertainty Index, the first of its kind in South Africa.

He has also made a significant contribution to thought leadership at the NWU Business School, helping to keep the school and the university at the centre of discussions and debates about South Africa’s economic and political choices and future.

“At the outset, I must convey my deepest thanks to the university council and management for the honour of receiving an honorary doctorate from the university today. I am extremely grateful and humbled to have joined the distinguished list of previous recipients of honorary degrees from this esteemed institution. But there are many others to whom I owe my thanks and gratitude,” said Prof Parsons, before adding:

“I see this prestigious award as recognition of the important role that economics and economists play in making South Africa a better place in which to live and work, especially given the country’s well-known and formidable challenges of unemployment, poverty and inequality. Often described as the ‘queen of social sciences’, economics tries to answer the fundamental question of how best to satisfy the unlimited wants and desires of society using limited available resources.”

Prof Babs Surujlal, executive dean of the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences said: “Renowned for his deep expertise, Prof Parsons is widely recognised as an authority on the South African economy and its implications for the business community. Professor Raymond Parsons has had a distinguished career as a leading South African economist, respected for his political independence. This impartiality has enabled him to engage critically with economic policies across various administrations, earning a reputation for balanced, objective analysis. His non-partisan approach has enriched public understanding and solidified his credibility over decades. By upholding rigorous analysis and open dialogue, Prof Parsons has achieved lasting influence as a trusted policy advisor and economic commentator, respected across sectors and political divides.”

Prof Parsons is currently a professor at the NWU Business School. He is also chairperson of the advisory board of the Business School. He studied economics at the universities of Cape Town, Oxford and Copenhagen before playing a leading role in organised business in South Africa for many years. Professor Parsons is a former director-general of the South African Chamber of Business (SACOB).

Until 2012, he was the deputy CEO of BUSA and subsequently a special policy adviser to that organisation until April 2014. He has also lectured at the Department of Economic and Management Sciences at the University of Pretoria. From 2000 to 2003, he was a visiting professor at the School of Economic and Business Sciences at the University of the Witwatersrand.

Professor Parsons was the overall business convenor at the National Economic Development and Labour Council (NEDLAC) until 2010. This is the major social dialogue institution in South Africa. He is a key contributor to public and academic debate on a broad spectrum of issues of critical importance to the political economy of South Africa. He is a recognised authority on the South African economy and its implications for the business community.

Professor Parsons was mainly responsible for the creation of South Africa’s first quarterly Policy Uncertainty Index, which was launched under the aegis of the NWU Business School in 2016.

He also holds an honorary doctorate from the Nelson Mandela University (NMU) and is an honorary professor there. He is a past president of the Economic Society of South Africa (ESSA). In 2017, ESSA conferred honorary life membership on him in recognition of his distinguished contribution to the economics profession in South Africa.

In 2004, former President Thabo Mbeki appointed Professor Parsons to the board of directors of the South African Reserve Bank, and he was reappointed in 2008. He was also a director of the South African Mint.

In August of 2024, Prof Parsons was appointed by the North West premier, Lazarus Mokgosi, to his new Economic and Investment Advisory Council to advise on economic development in North West.

He is the author/editor of eight books.

The first space biology article has been published in South Africa, marking an important advancement for African space science – and potentially for the world.

The article, based on a study of young earthworms exposed to various hypergravity conditions for eight days, was authored by researchers at the North-West University (NWU). For earthworms to reach space, they have to withstand hypergravity during launch and decelerations.

While it was expected that earthworms exposed to hypergravity would fare worse than control worms at 1G (earth gravity), unexpectedly, they all grew at the same rate, irrespective of the hypergravity treatments. Being able to withstand sustained hypergravity suggests that they would also be able to tolerate microgravity and may therefore play roles in space food production and waste recycling on the Moon, Mars, space stations or on spaceships that experience microgravity.

“This is a proud moment for South African science. It shows that we have the expertise and capability to contribute to important areas of research with global significance,” says research team member Prof Henk Bouwman, a zoologist with expertise in ecotoxicology.

The other team members are Cornel-Mari du Preez, an MSc student specialising in microplastics, and Ruwaan Botha, a mechanical engineering graduate with experience in rapid prototyping.

Study could aid future space exploration

Du Preez highlighted the study’s importance: “Understanding how organisms respond to the environment in space is crucial as we look toward future human space exploration.”

Insights from this research could support sustainable space travel and protection of biological life beyond Earth, she said, and it lays the groundwork for applications in fields like human health, agriculture and environmental sustainability in space and on Earth.

She played a key role in studying the effects of hypergravity on small organisms. With a background in marine biology, ecotoxicology and conservation, she was drawn to studying biological responses in dynamic and extreme environments.

Device developed to simulate gravity

Her published work involved using a concentric 3D-printed centrifuge rotor capable of testing organisms under three different gravitational forces: 1.7G, 2.5G and 3.1G – alongside a 1G control, allowing for concurrent hypergravity testing that otherwise would have required three separate centrifuges, or three consecutive runs. This novel centrifuge rotor, which she co-developed with Botha, allows researchers to study biological processes under multiple simulated hypergravity treatments, potentially informing sustainable food production and waste recycling in space environments under controlled conditions.

A mechanical engineer, Botha contributed his expertise in design and 3D-printing technology. He co-designed the study’s 3D-printed rotor, which can simulate hypergravity conditions and is adaptable for various research applications, including studying small organisms, cell cultures and biochemical reactions over prolonged periods. There is no other such rotor design.

His work on this device reflects his interest in rapid prototyping and computer-aided design (CAD), and his technical contributions have ensured that the research team can explore gravity’s effects on biological systems at multiple intensities. It is not only earthworms that can be tested, but also plants, micro-organisms and other small animals. Outside the scope of space biology, this design might also find use in medical applications, physiology and biochemistry.

In conclusion, Prof Bouwman emphasised that the study not only adds to space biology knowledge but also underscores Africa’s growing role in global scientific conversations: “We’re at the beginning of a new era, where the study of space biology is no longer the exclusive domain of a few nations. This article is a step towards Africa’s voice in the global conversation on space biology and science.”

• Prof Henk Bouwman can be contacted at 083 6604 815 and Henk.Bouwman@nwu.ac.za.

Thirty-one thousand. That is the conservative estimate of the current teacher shortage in South Africa. Classrooms are overcrowded, with ballooning learner-to-teacher ratios, especially in rural and under-resourced schools. This severely impacts dropout rates and education quality.

This is not where the woes of future learners end. It is estimated that nearly half the teaching workforce will retire within the next decade, meaning the demand for new teachers will only keep increasing.

Immediate action is needed if the country’s degrading educational system is to be salvaged. The current situation in KwaZulu-Natal, where there are insufficient funds to pay more than 11 000 teachers, cannot become the norm.

How do we keep enticing potential teachers to follow a career path where uncertainty and a lack of top-level support is coupled with a crumbling infrastructure that is ill-equipped to meet the needs of their chosen profession?

According to Prof Maryna Reyneke, deputy dean for Teaching and Learning in the Faculty of Education at the North-West University (NWU), both the university and its Faculty of Education fully understand the challenges prospective teachers face in the South African context.

“The education landscape indeed presents significant obstacles that leave aspiring teachers grappling with questions of stability and job security, professional growth and fulfilment. However, there are compelling reasons and strategic approaches to attract motivated individuals and retain them in this noble profession,” she explains.

“Firstly, we must reaffirm and elevate the essential purpose of teaching as a deeply impactful, transformative career. Through the ages, teachers have always held and continue to hold the power to shape society, to inspire young minds and to spark change, not only in communities where teachers find themselves, but also in national and international contexts. Teaching and learning in the Faculty of Education are aligned with the attainment of teacher competencies and of NWU graduate attributes such as flexibility, adaptability, resilience, creative and critical thinking, and lifelong learning. Our aim is to deliver prospective teachers who see themselves as agents of change in diverse contexts, who can rise above obstacles.”

Communicating an integrated teacher education approach is also crucial: “Secondly, we are highlighting the advantages of our integrated approach to teacher education, which combines content expertise with pedagogical skill-building. This ensures that our graduates are well prepared, not only with the knowledge they need to teach, but with the adaptive strategies required for diverse and evolving classroom environments. By building confidence and capability through this comprehensive approach, we manage to instil a sense of preparedness and empowerment.”

She also emphasises how the NWU is fostering support networks in education through mentorship and professional development programmes, and by advocating for better resources.

“In addition, while issues like infrastructure require systemic change, we are developing strong support networks in the education community, including mentorship and ongoing professional development. In the latter regard, we offer various short learning programmes, as well as formal qualifications such as a BEd Honours, an Advanced Certificate in Education, an Advanced Diploma in Education and master’s degree and doctoral programmes. Our faculty is committed to advocating for our teachers at all levels, working with policymakers to secure better support and resources. By creating a culture that champions collaboration, encourages innovation and supports professional growth, we can help teachers feel sustained and valued on their journey.”

The NWU has been providing the country with teachers for more than a century, and its Faculty of Education is now the largest provider of contact and open distance learning in this field in South Africa.

The faculty boasts five teaching and learning schools, namely Language Education, Psycho-Social Education, Professional Studies in Education, Mathematics, Science and Technology Education, as well as Commerce and Social Studies in Education.

Producing quality teachers is critical for South Africa, as the country’s education system faces severe shortages and significant performance gaps. Teachers are vital in reducing dropout rates and improving foundational literacy and numeracy, which are crucial for long-term socioeconomic stability. A strong, well-prepared teaching workforce can help address inequalities by equipping learners with the skills needed to succeed.

Quality teachers also enhance the country’s ability to innovate, build a skilled workforce and foster social cohesion, making them indispensable in overcoming South Africa’s developmental challenges and realising sustainable growth.

Prof Reyneke says: “The country needs more teachers, and in attracting potential teachers, we are presenting an honest, realistic view while empowering them with the skills, resilience and community support they need to thrive.”

• For the full article, follow the link here: North-West University expertise addresses catastrophic teacher shortfall | news.nwu.ac.za

In South Africa, a country still shadowed by the legacies of the past and grappling with complex social and economic challenges, the Population and Health Research Entity at the North-West University (NWU) offers a striking vision of hope. 

Nestled within the Faculty of Humanities on the Mahikeng Campus, this research entity has grown into a research powerhouse since it was founded in 2007. Led by Professor Martin Palamuleni, an NRF-rated researcher, the entity brings together both budding and veteran researchers with a singular mission: to illuminate and address the shifting dynamics of South Africa’s population, health and social structures.

The challenges confronting South Africa are monumental. Economic inequality remains pervasive, demographic shifts are happening at a staggering rate, and a range of public health crises – exacerbated by high rates of HIV, tuberculosis, and other infectious diseases – threaten to destabilise vulnerable communities. Against this backdrop, the work of the NWU’s Population and Health Research Entity could not be more timely. 

With a focus that spans everything from sexual and reproductive health to gender studies and community development, the research conducted here delves into the profound socio-economic and cultural issues impacting South Africa and sub-Saharan Africa as a whole. And, crucially, it does not stop at research. 

The entity aims to train a new generation of social scientists – population experts, psychologists, social workers and sociologists – who will continue to address the country’s most pressing issues through evidence-based solutions.

The research undertaken at the Population and Health Research Entity is diverse, yet unified in its purpose. Through its sexual and reproductive health programme, researchers seek innovative methods to strengthen the effectiveness of public-health interventions, aiming to turn the tide against epidemics that have long plagued the region. 

Meanwhile, the gender studies programme confronts the persistent social inequities that divide South African society, focusing on the often-overlooked interplay between gender, equity and sexuality. The community development programme is perhaps the most direct in its approach: it aims to create resilient, self-sufficient communities equipped to withstand economic and social challenges. In the domain of population dynamics, scholars are also painstakingly mapping the ways in which mortality rates, migration patterns and ageing populations reshape the national demographic landscape.

For the Population and Health Research Entity, understanding the factors driving these issues is not just about data – it is about transformation. The entity’s commitment to collaboration is evident in its partnerships with scholars both within and beyond the NWU, creating a network of researchers from Africa, Europe and around the globe. This collaboration has already borne fruit in the form of impactful studies and public discussions, such as the recent public lectures addressing sustainable development in line with South Africa’s national development plan and the urgent issue of land and decolonisation.

The entity’s influence is not confined to the ivory tower. Recognising the critical role of local knowledge, it has formed close partnerships with government departments across South Africa – from the national to the provincial level – fostering policy development and community engagement efforts designed to yield real-world impact. Researchers here do not just study communities – they actively work alongside them, offering support, guidance and an informed perspective that strengthens grassroots resilience.

This dual commitment to rigorous research and community involvement is an example of the NWU’s approach. In a nation that often feels the weight of its past and faces an uncertain future, the Population and Health Research Entity at the NWU stands as a dynamic, engaged institution bridging academic insight with practical action. 

By placing its research and outreach at the heart of South Africa’s most urgent socio-economic conversations, it may well be charting a path towards a more equitable and sustainable future for the region.

It has happened. The world is 1.5 degrees Celsius warmer than it was in preindustrial times. A threshold has been breached, and the times they are a-changin’.

When Prof Francois Engelbrecht, president of the South African Society for Atmospheric Sciences (SASAS), opened the 38th Annual Conference of the South African Society for Atmospheric Sciences at the Potchefstroom Campus of the North-West University (NWU), he did so in a sombre tone, even with a sense of disbelief. Because history has been made for the wrong reasons.

It is the first time the SASAS conference has taken place when the world’s average temperature has been 1.5°C higher for more than a year since official recordings began. When the Paris agreement was signed in 2016, the aim was to pursue efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5°C. It has failed.

The consequences have already been dire, and if temperatures keep rising, the consequences will be catastrophic. Heat waves, wildfires, flooding, cyclones, hurricanes and tornadoes have been some of the hallmarks of climate change that have devastated the globe in 2024.

The effects cannot be reversed, but an escalation can be stopped.

From 29 to 30 October, SASAS members discussed the pertinent question of climate change at hosting venues across the Potchefstroom Campus of the NWU.

Prof Engelbrecht called for an increased focus on climate change adaptation, including developing early warning systems capable of handling unprecedented future extreme weather events. He urged the atmospheric sciences community to collaborate with colleagues in different fields and engage with stakeholders to ensure early warnings reach vulnerable communities. In this changing environment, SASAS allows, and encourages, delegates to share research, build networks, develop young scientists and form lasting collaborations.

During the conference, Prof Stuart Piketh from the NWU was awarded the SASAS Medal, the highest honour in South African atmospheric sciences, recognising significant contributions to the field. Prof Piketh’s work has advanced the understanding of atmospheric processes and their implications for local and regional pollution transport, environmental policy and community health initiatives.

Other highlights included the keynote address by Prof Paola Formenti, whose work on atmospheric aerosols in southern Africa is crucial to improve climate models and our understanding of cloud process. A panel discussion led by the South African Environmental Observation Network (SAEON), a national research facility that manages long-term environmental observation programmes, included discussions on collaborations, sharing of data and community involvement under the theme “Science and Society”. SAEON plays a crucial role in atmospheric science by providing high-quality environmental data and infrastructure essential for research and monitoring. Their involvement emphasised the significance of collaborative efforts in advancing the understanding of atmospheric processes and environmental change.

The 38th SASAS conference highlighted the critical role of atmospheric sciences in addressing climate change and environmental challenges. As global temperatures continue to rise, the insights and innovations from the SASAS community are vital. The collective efforts of the delegates demonstrate a commitment to advancing atmospheric sciences for societal benefit.

However, the SASAS, together with partners such as the NWU, cannot fight the climate change battle alone. For the first time in 130 years, there is no snow capping Japan’s Mount Fuji. What other vistas will soon be gone?

• For an expert opinion regarding climate change, Dr Henno Havenga at the NWU can be contacted at (018) 285 4001 orhenno.havenga@nwu.ac.za.

• For the full article as well as photos, follow the link here: Climatology conference highlights severity of climate change | news.nwu.ac.za

Given the fine budgetary line that still had to be walked by Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana, the GNU’s first MTBPS comes across as a pragmatic, realistic and credible strategy to again tackle South Africa’s challenges of low economic growth and high public debt, says Prof Raymond Parsons, economist at the NWU Business School.

The 2024 MTBPS was broadly aligned with the GNU’s overarching commitment to higher inclusive economic growth and job creation. It is welcome news that South Africa is now achieving a primary budget surplus and that the debt-to-GDP ratio is to be stabilised at 75.5%, although debt reduction is to be spread over a longer period.

Also, risks to the fiscal outlook remain elevated. On the spending side the Public Sector Wage Bill remains the biggest single immediate risk to South Africa’s public finances. The emphasis in the 2024 MTBPS was therefore to further consolidate longer-term fiscal buffers and guardrails that must help to ensure fiscal sustainability. The fiscal data and commitments supporting the MTBPS will nonetheless need to be further interrogated when the promised Medium Term Development Plan in January is available and the main Budget is presented in February.

In identifying better growth prospects for a more sustainable future fiscal balance, the MTBPS has now been able to build on the policy momentum created by the GNU, as well as the tangible evidence of an incipient economic recovery. The MTBPS now also recognises the importance of unleashing investment and infrastructural development as the kingpins of sustained stronger growth and job creation. The emphasis in the MTBPS is therefore on investment-led growth, with increased participation for the private sector.

The Finance Minister is right to say that South Africa’s problem is “basically a growth one”. The MTBPS assumption of a modest average 1.8% GDP growth over the next three years reinforces the need for an action-orientated agenda to improve on these growth prospects. What South Africa needs is a couple of years of steady and irreversible economic growth to convert short-term business confidence into long-term investor confidence. This means that the GNU must ‘stay on message’ regarding its economic commitments in the period ahead.

The latest MTBPS has outlined a new sense of economic direction which, if properly implemented, would now make it easier over the next three years to strike the right balance between growth-enhancing measures, on the one hand, and stabilising the still challenging high debt-to-GDP ratio, on the other. The challenge to GNU policymaking is therefore to create a macro-economic environment indisputably based on the pillars of efficiency, stability, consistency and certainty, which would also resonate with the theme of South Africa’s presidency of the G20 in 2025.

The North-West University’s (NWU’s) ongoing commitment to sustainable energy through its trailblazing solar projects across its campuses has earned it the Renewable Energy Initiative Award from the Higher Education Facility Management Association of Southern Africa (HEFMA) recently.

“Winning this award among 26 southern African universities and 50 TVET colleges shows our dedication to renewable energy,” says Hendrik Esterhuizen, director for engineering and legal compliance at the NWU. “Our solar systems now allow us to supply power even while emergency generators are active, offering both energy capacity and financial savings.”

This was also a great day for Esterhuizen, as he was announced as the next president of the HEFMA, following in the footsteps of Lindokuhle Mzolo.

The university’s solar installations include 1 100kWp on the Mahikeng Campus, 2 600kWp at Potchefstroom and 385kWp at Vanderbijlpark. These projects have made the NWU a leader in campus-based solar generation.

“The Mahikeng, Potchefstroom and Vanderbijlpark campuses are making tangible impacts with these projects, contributing to both our sustainability goals and financial savings,” Esterhuizen says.

The NWU’s solar energy approach is aligned with a broader sustainability strategy, guided by a five-pillar model focused on energy management. Renewable energy remains central to this approach, supporting the university’s pledge to reduce its carbon footprint and aligning with Universities South Africa’s informal commitment to becoming carbon-neutral by 2050.

“We are setting a path towards carbon neutrality, and although this is challenging, renewable energy will play the largest role in achieving this goal,” says Esterhuizen.

This recognition from the HEFMA on 17 October 2024 underscores the NWU’s growing role in sustainable campus management and sets a benchmark for other educational institutions striving for a similar impact.

With future plans to incorporate solar systems into all new buildings and major renovations, the NWU is reducing its dependence on traditional energy sources while steadily embedding renewable energy into its infrastructure, thus fostering both sustainability and academic research opportunities.

• Follow the link to the article here: NWU earns Renewable Energy Initiative Award for solar investments | news.nwu.ac.za

Bertie Jacobs
Communication Specialist
Potchefstroom Campus
Mobile: (076) 021 6193 | Phone: (018) 285 2010
bertie.jacobs@nwu.ac.za

As a pillar of the Potchefstroom community, with an unshakeable commitment to quality policing, Brigadier Steven Moodley has been awarded the Chancellor’s Medal by the North-West University (NWU).

He received this honour during a graduation ceremony on 24 October. The Chancellor’s Medal is awarded to people who show exceptional merit or have made significant contributions to society.

Under Brig Moodley’s watch, the Potchefstroom branch of the South African Police Service (SAPS), which he has headed since 2018 until his retirement this year, has excelled as the best police station in the North West.

“I do not know what I have done to deserve this acknowledgement. For me as a police officer, it is an absolute honour and privilege to receive this medal. I thank God for having given me the strength to do this job. Policing is not one of the easiest professions, but I tried my best during my career and also focused on imparting knowledge and skills to other officers I worked with. I am truly grateful for this,” he says.

Known for his legendary ability to assess situations calmly and generate suitable solutions, Brig Moodley’s excellent work has had a great impact on the NWU. The university has interacted closely with him over the past three years to address many policing challenges, specifically in the Potchefstroom and Kenneth Kaunda District areas.

One of the milestones of his policing career was the inclusion of Potchefstroom as a pilot site for the roll-out of the Safer City Project, which includes 15 police stations. This project is a joint initiative between the North West Police Service and the JB Marks Local Municipality. Potchefstroom is one of the leading branches in the implementation of this project.

Brig Moodley’s career stretches over four decades and has moulded him into a highly skilled public servant, community activist, entrepreneur, innovator and all-round leader who enabled the Potchefstroom SAPS to enhance its performance and excel through excellence.

As a community activist, Brig Moodley has put his personal brand of activism to work in the Community Policing Forums and many other community formations that include the Church Forum and Gender-Based Violence Forum. He also took hands with local businesses and the local traffic authorities to spearhead crime prevention initiatives in the central business district in Potchefstroom.

The internal SAPS community in Potchefstroom has faced many transformational challenges and uncertainties. Brigadier Moodley’s leadership has helped to address these challenges and lift members’ morale. He is a team player who has initiated several unique platforms to bring people together, including the women’s forum, the men’s forum, the junior management core and the retired officials’ meetings.

He gives credit where credit is due, for instance, by reuniting retired officers during the Retired Officials’ Luncheon, celebrating their contributions to a safer society. His annual Christmas lunches also gave on-duty officers the opportunity to share in the spirit of Christmas.

With his vigorous support, members of the police community are involved in numerous community projects such as feeding schemes and community work at non-profit organisations like the PAWS animal welfare organisation.

Known as an innovator, he initiated the conversion of under-utilised facilities into a gymnasium and library for the SAPS community in Potchefstroom.

Click on the video below to watch Brigadier Moodley receive the Chancellor’s Medal.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_P_LEMVVaAc

The North-West University (NWU) Business School is proud to announce the launch of a new cohort for its short learning programme on Advanced Leadership for Women, aimed at empowering women in leadership roles across municipalities in South Africa. This initiative is supported and funded by the Local Government Sector Education and Training Authority (LGSETA), underscoring the importance of developing women leaders in South Africa.

Participants will gain comprehensive knowledge in the fields of self-management, organisational behaviour, diversity, conflict and change management, and leadership. They will also be trained in research methods and techniques, enabling them to apply these skills practically through case studies and real-world projects.

Prof Leon Jackson of the NWU Business School developed this programme in 2011 and presented the first programme in 2012 to 50 beneficiaries from the Department of Basic Education in the North West, funded by the ETDP SETA. In 2022, 50 beneficiaries from the Department of Basic Education in the Northern Cape benefited from the programme, which was also funded by the ETDP SETA. In 2023, 100 women from the local government sector, funded by the LGSETA, formed part of the programme and were awarded their certificates at a ceremony held in Johannesburg in November 2023.

This year, over 200 women are set to receive training. This initiative supports the national call for women empowerment and encourages them to assume leadership positions in their workplaces. The focus of the programme is on theoretical and practical leadership skills, which makes it a key contributor to the growth and development of women leaders in local government.

The launch event will take place on 25 October 2024 at The Roots, in Potchefstroom. Attendees will include the leadership of the NWU Business School, LGSETA delegates, representatives from the NWU and the selected participants in the programme.

This partnership with the LGSETA not only supports the local government sector but also strengthens the commitment of the NWU Business School to developing the next generation of women leaders in local government. Through its comprehensive Executive Education offerings, the NWU Business School continues to equip professionals with the skills and insights needed to thrive in today’s fast-changing world.

For more information, media representatives can contact:

Mbali Skosana
E-mail: mbali.skosana@nwu.ac.za
Phone: (018) 389 2937

Clara Vilankulu
E-mail: clarav@lgseta.org.za
Phone: (011) 456 8579/082 678 6794