Of ants and men: Africa’s new trafficking problem

They might be small and largely inconspicuous, but ants are becoming big business for a growing market of enthusiasts. In April, Kenyan authorities intercepted two Belgian teenagers, a Vietnamese national, and a local accomplice as they attempted to smuggle 5 400 live queen ants out of the country.

Their illicit cargo, consisting mainly…

Learners enjoy hands-on robotics and coding experience

Whatever shape the future takes, robotics and coding are likely to be part of it. Fifty primary school learners from the Mahikeng area had the opportunity to learn basic coding and robotic skills during a training programme at the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Mahikeng Campus from 22 to 24 April.

The group of Grade 6 and 7 learners…

Call for climate-smart cattle breeding to promote food security

By Gofaone Motsamai

Heat stress is among the most urgent climate-related challenges affecting beef cattle productivity, requiring South African cattle breeders to adopt climate-smart strategies to bolster food security under changing environmental conditions.

“Heat stress is becoming a major threat to…

New study explores future biology teachers’ views on AI in the classroom across two continents

A new international study is shedding light on how future biology teachers from South Africa and Indonesia perceive the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the classroom, and what they believe is needed to make it work effectively.

Dr Moleboheng Mokhele-Ramulumo, a senior lecturer in the Faculty of Education and member of the…

Weevils alone will not permanently eradicate Hartbeespoort Dam’s hyacinth problem

By Gofaone Motsamai

While the release of weevils into the hyacinth-infested waters of the Hartbeespoort Dam is a welcome development, these insects alone cannot be expected to permanently solve the dam’s pollution problem.

“The use of weevils must be part of an integrated plan to resolve the issue,” says…

ReneWable Rangers game earns academic nomination for South Africa’s ‘Science Oscars’

Dr Moleboheng Mokhele-Ramulumo, a senior lecturer in Natural Sciences Education at the North-West University (NWU) and a member of the Self-Directed Learning (SDL) Research Unit, has been nominated for the prestigious National Science and Technology Forum’s (NSTF)-South32 Awards.

She has been nominated for the TW Kambule-NSTF Award in…

NWU to revolutionise agriculture through its Ask-a-Prof initiative

When smallholder farmers face agricultural challenges, who can they turn to for advice? The new Ask-a-Prof initiative of the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, in collaboration with the Zen Raseto Joint Venture, is at their service.

This pioneering programme is set to revolutionise agricultural…

Unveiling the evolution of intelligence science in South Africa

By Gofaone Motsamai and Nikelo Mehlomakulu

The evolution of South Africa’s intelligence services and the academic study of intelligence science took centre stage at a public lecture hosted by the North-West University (NWU) on 3 April 2025. Delivered by retired lecturer and intelligence expert Henning van…

Focus Area for Pure and Applied Analytics at NWU: Where curiosity meets mathematical mastery

In the ever-evolving landscape of academia, certain institutions stand out not only for their age or size, but also for their unyielding commitment to curiosity and innovation. North-West University (NWU) in South Africa exemplifies this spirit, particularly through its Focus Area for Pure and Applied Analytics (PAA) research entity. This group…

Academic elected as the new president of the African Astronomical Society

Prof Amare Abebe, research director at the Centre for Space Research at the North-West University (NWU), has been elected as the new president of the African Astronomical Society (AfAS).

AfAS was established to create a globally competitive and collaborative astronomy community in Africa.

Prof Abebe’s focus will be on expanding…