The North West University, Mafikeng Campus, and in particular the Mmabatho Campus, is a young institution, with an enrolment of around 6000 learners.

The Mmabatho Campus also includes a satellite campus at Mankwe.

In addition to learners from the area, learners are also drawn from the Northern Cape Province and Botswana.

Historically disadvantaged, the Mmabatho and Mankwe Campuses of the University are faced with a number of problems:

- Located far from a highly urbanised area.
- Difficult to attract leading academics as a
  result of the location.
- Learners entering the university are under
  prepared, due to a generally inadequate
  education system.
- Lack of donations and endowments.
- Worthy learners are often precluded due to
  financial constraints and the university is not
  in a position to financially support them by
  means of a formal bursary scheme.

Faced with the above issues, the University’s Mmabatho and Mankwe Campuses are challenged to become viable, sought-after centres of educational excellence by:

- Improving the standard of administration
- Enhancing the level of tuition
- Improving opportunities for students
- Establishing quality niche areas

Since taking office as the new Vice-Chancellor of the former North West University, Mafikeng Campus (now the Mmabatho and Mankwe Campuses of the North West University, Mafikeng Campus, following the merger between the North West University, Mafikeng Campus and the Potchefstroom University for CHE to form the new North West University, Mafikeng Campus) in November 2003, Dr Ngoato Takalo’s developmental approach to the future of the University has resulted in the following initiatives:

- The Africa Drive Project
  - a programme that uses a blended
  approach (e-learning as well as
  classroom) to equip educators with
  the skills they need to provide learners
  with quality, relevant education.
- The Enterprise Resource
  Management System
  - a system that will ensure effective
  performance through audits, benchmarking,
  the identification of relevant objectives and
  the deployment of trained people.
- Science/Business/Commerce Foundation
  Year Programme
  - a programme that prepares learners
  for undergraduate studies in these fields.
- HIV/AIDS Management Programme
  - a programme that will allow the University
  to take the lead amongst institutions of
  learning regarding the management of
  HIV/AIDS,the impact it has on the
  individual and the organization.

Potchefstroom campus

Historic background of the University

 The Potchefstroom University for Christian Higher Education (PU for CHE) developed out of the Theological School of the Reformed Churches in South Africa (GKSA).

For the sake of subsidies, the Literary department was separated from the Theological School in 1919 and "Het Potchefstroom Universiteitskollege voor Christelike Hooger Onderwijs"came into being. At the same time the PUK was developed as an institution for higher education independent from the GKSA. In terms of this co-operation agreement the training of ministers of the GKSA, apart from other theological training, is still supported from the perspective of the Theology.

In 1951 the PUK was recognised as an independent university which was to be known as the Potchefstroom University for Christian higher Education (PU for CHE).

 In 1966 the Vaal Triangle campus in Vanderbijlpark (Gauteng Province) was established, in response to the request of a number of leaders in various fields in the Vaal Triangle.

A significant number of co-operation agreements were also made with other institutions for higher education in South Africa, elsewhere in Africa and the rest of the world. This process is still continuing. In the interaction which resulted from this, the emphasis is always on the addition of quality and the fulfilment of our calling.

In 1993 the Private Act was thoroughly revised. In 1998 the Statute of the PUK was completely rewritten to enable the PUK to continue to fulfil its important role as part of the single, co-ordinated system of higher education in South Africa, while reserving its institutional culture of Christian higher education, based on its original foundation.

In 1996 the first courses via telematic learning systems (contact education over a distance) were offered. Learners in more than 25 study centres nationwide are supported through interactive study guides, the systematic use of multimedia and personal facilitation of the learning process. Students may choose from twelve complete degrees and diplomas in this education programme.

On 17 March 2001 commemorates the PUK fifty years of independence.

In 2004 the PUK becomes part of the first real multicampus en multidiverse university, North-West University, in South Africa. The North-West University consists of four campusses in Mafikeng, Mankwe, Potchefstroom and the Vaal Triangle.