POTCHEFSTROOM – North-West University (NWU) officially commenced construction of South Africa’s 11th medical school on Tuesday, 4 June, with a ceremonial sod-turning event at the Potchefstroom Campus. Prof Bismark Tyobeka, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of NWU, led the groundbreaking ceremony for the Desmond Tutu School of Medicine, marking a significant milestone in the institution’s history.
The state-of-the-art facility, scheduled for completion in 2027, aims to address the critical shortage of medical practitioners in the North West Province and across South Africa. The university expects to welcome its first cohort of medical students in 2028.
“This ceremony marks the symbolic start of construction and the laying of the cornerstone for a bold vision, one that aims to transform lives, uplift communities, and reshape the healthcare landscape of our nation,” said Prof Tyobeka during the ceremony.
The new medical school represents a major expansion of NWU’s academic offerings and will serve as a flagship intellectual hub at the university. According to university officials, the facility will initially house the foundational years of medical training before expanding to include clinical platforms at Tshepong and Klerksdorp hospitals.
Prof Tyobeka emphasised the profound impact the medical school would have beyond physical infrastructure. “It is here that we will shape the minds and characters of future physicians and individuals who will shoulder profound responsibilities with dignity, scientific excellence, and an unwavering commitment to service,” he stated.
The development of the medical school has involved extensive collaboration with government partners, regulatory bodies, the Archbishop Desmond Tutu IP Trust, and local community leadership. Prof Tyobeka acknowledged their contributions during his address.
“This is not merely an infrastructure project,” he concluded. “It is a promise to future generations, a commitment to educate, to heal, and to uplift.”
The Desmond Tutu School of Medicine will become the 11th medical school in South Africa, joining a national effort to increase the country’s healthcare capacity and train more medical professionals domestically.
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