Livestock farming under pressure as SA balances food security and emissions

Livestock farming feeds millions of South Africans, but it also leaves a carbon footprint that cannot be ignored. North-West University (NWU) animal scientist Prof Kenny Mnisi says the challenge is finding the balance between sustaining households and tackling climate change.

Many farmers, however, are unaware of this link. Prof Mnisi…

Symposium links lecture halls with industry careers in animal science

By Mzwandile Ndlovu and  Gosego Phutieagae

The North-West University (NWU) is moving to close the gap between academic study and workplace demands in agriculture.

The Mahikeng Campus hosted the first Animal Science Symposium and Information Day on 5 September 2025, bringing together students, alumni…

School of Nursing celebrates Women’s Day

On 8 August 2025, the Sports Village at the Potchefstroom Campus was the setting as the School of Nursing hosted a Women’s Day celebration together with the NuMIQ research entity.

The theme, “Be yourself”, encouraged women who balance careers, families and research to embrace their identity.

The deputy director of the School of…

Radiation expert wants SA to benefit from his radiological crime scene management training

South Africa’s capacity to deal with incidents involving radioactive materials has received a boost. North-West University (NWU) academic Dr Tebogo Kupi has returned from Austria where he attended a high-level international training course aimed at preparing experts to deliver national workshops on radiological crime scene management.

“…

Prof Bismark Tyobeka: Starlink should shine in SA’s skies

As Starlink’s vast constellation of satellites traverse the sky in low-Earth orbit, they evoke wonder and awe in those gazing up at the night heavens. Science fiction has become technological reality. Yet, for South Africans, the benefits remain as distant as the stars beyond our solar system.

Here is why. Elon Musk’s satellite internet…

Innovative poultry feed research offers hope for sustainable farming

High feed costs and declining meat quality are two of the biggest challenges facing the global poultry industry. For many smallholder farmers in South Africa, these issues are even more pressing, as they struggle to balance production costs with the demand for affordable, nutritious meat.

Against this backdrop, Phethile Emmelina Mabuza…

Shaping biochemists who think beyond the lab and seek to make an impact

In a quiet laboratory on the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Mahikeng Campus, a group of postgraduate students huddle over microscopes and data sheets. At the centre of their work is not only the science they are uncovering, but also the mentor guiding them to think beyond experiments and toward the bigger questions of research and contributing…

Another key international role for Prof Babalola

Internationally renowned microbiologist Prof Olubukola Oluranti Babalola is in the spotlight again. The leader of the Microbial Biotechnology subject group at the North-West University (NWU) has been elected to two strategic committees of the InterAcademy Partnership (IAP), a global network of science, engineering and medical academies.

Inaugural lecture focuses on turning agricultural by-products into practical tools

Feed animals in ways that also protect the planet. This was the central message of the inaugural lecture of Prof Kenny Mnisi from the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences on 13 August.

During his lecture titled “Multipronged nutritional strategies for sustainable animal production and food…

NWU student triumphs at continental conference

Master’s-degree student Sibongile Dlaba’s innovative research on healthcare incident reporting won her an award at the 5th African Nursing Conference.

“Being named the winner of the Best Oral Presentation award at a continental conference was an incredibly humbling and empowering experience,” says Dlaba, with her voice filled with…