Archival Records

Archival Records

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ARCHIVAL RECORDS

The North-West University (NWU) was formally established on 1 January 2004 through the merger of three institutions: the Potchefstroom University for Christian Higher Education (founded in 1869), the University of North-West (formerly the University of Bophuthatswana, established in 1960), and the Vaal Triangle Campus, which began offering courses in 1966.

The North-West University Archives was founded in September 1993 to collect and permanently preserve records and other materials that document the history of the university. Following the establishment of the NWU in 2004, the Archives, under the supervision of the Registrar, assumed responsibility for managing the archival records of the Potchefstroom Campus.

In 2017, the archival services across the NWU’s three campuses: Potchefstroom, Mahikeng, and Vanderbijlpark, were consolidated into a single department under the supervision of the NWU Registrar. This unified department is committed to preserving the university’s rich heritage and ensuring the integrity of its records, safeguarding invaluable artefacts, and promoting scholarly research by providing accessible archival resources.

The NWU Archives house primary records dating back to the late 1800s, including council and senate minutes, administrative records, and student council records. These collections reflect the university’s historical trajectory and its significant role in advancing higher education, reconciliation, and nation-building in South Africa.

Archive research
Oldest record
Old Minutes Book
Archive boxes

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ARCHIVAL COLLECTIONS

These are documents and other materials that are not currently in use but are preserved for their historical value and for research.

 

Old Minutes

Minutes of the Meetings

  • Faculties
  • Students’ Campus Councils
  • The Council Committees
  • The Senate
  • The Senate Executive Committee (SENEX)
  • University Management Committee (UMC)

NWU Open Day

​ Events & Activities

  • Academic year opening and closing functions
  • Alumni awards
  • Campus events
  • Graduations
  • Inaugurations

Student Life

Student Life

  • Academic Student Association
  • NWU Students' Representative Council (SRC)
  • Residents portfolios

Personal Collections

​ Special Collections

Publications

Publications

  • Die Besembos (1927- 2002)
  • Die Pukkie (1948- 2014)
  • Die Veteraan (1936- 1967)
  • Die Wapad
  • Eish
  • Yearbooks (From 1986)
  • POK-Enan (1919- 1976)
  • Potchefstroom Herald (1960- 1997)
  • PUK-Gids (1985- 2012)
  • PU-Kaner (1968- 2005)
  • For more, Click Here

The Main Building

​ Historical Buildings of the NWU

 

Collections

The corporate deposit and documentary heritage of the NWU comprise about:

  • 2432 linear meter paper archival material and private collections;
  • 426 linear photographs, artworks, poster and other visual material;
  • 1952 linear memorabilia and museum items;
  • 48 linear meter publications; and
  • 18 linear meter private collections

Archival collections

Primary records date back to the late 1800's and include the following:

  • Minutes of the Council, the Senate, faculty boards and committees dating back to 1915;
  • Administrative records of the NWU;
  • Private collections of former staff members and alumni;
  • Records of the student council and sub-bodies since 1889;
  • Records of the former Potchefstroom Education College, which was incorporated with the NWU in 2001; and
  • The Western Transvaal's archives on the history of surrounding towns in the former Western Transvaal.

Transfer and donations

Records classified as archival records in the NWU file plan and disposal schedule, must be transferred to the University Archive for permanent preservation in accordance with the Records, Archives and Museum Management policy of the NWU.

Private donations, including (but not limited to) photographs and memorabilia that have a direct historical connection with the history of the University, and any other image material, will be welcomed.

Research

Students, Staff and Researchers are welcome to use the research facilities of the Archive. To make your research as productive as possible, you can contact the staff in advance regarding your intended visit.

All researchers requesting access to archival material are required to sign a confidentiality agreement when requesting such information.

Archival portfolio

The Archives and the Museum collaborate with the Student Council, sub-bodies and student organisations to ensure that a wide spectrum of student life is being documented.

Residences, sub-bodies and student organisations compile archival portfolios that are assessed and received by the Archives annually.

Historical Buildings of the NWU

Standard Operating Procedures for Archival Processes and announcements

Standard Operating procedures are made available to staff members on the intranet to ensure that all archival functions are performed in a standardised manner.

 

Contact

Nakedi Ramoshaba​

Nakedi Ramoshaba

Archivist

Nakedi.Ramoshaba@nwu.ac.za | +27 (0)18 299 1250

Building E7C, Office B01, Potchefstroom Campus