The battle against HIV in sub-Saharan Africa has always been as much about systems and science as about the virus itself. Antiretroviral therapy has turned what was once a death sentence into a manageable condition.

Yet, as Dr Monray Williams of the North-West University (NWU) cautions, “millions of people still face barriers to prevention and treatment. Poverty, limited healthcare infrastructure, and social stigma continue to shape who gets care and who does not.”

By Gosego Phutieagae

Visiting some of the world’s most famous justice system landmarks is high on the itinerary of Thabang Mnculwane, a North-West University (NWU) Faculty of Law student, who is spending five months in Amsterdam on an academic exchange programme.

Mnculwane, a final-year LLB student, started his exchange programme at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU Amsterdam) in August 2025 and will return to South Africa in January 2026.

“At NWU Sport, our passion is sport, and we are privileged to make our passion our work.” 

These were the words of Mervyn Taylor, manager of the NWU Rugby Institute, as he concluded the North-West University (NWU) Sports Awards on 21 October. His statement captured the spirit of an evening that celebrated commitment, teamwork and excellence across all sporting codes at the university. 

Dr Moleboheng Ramulumo-Mokhele, senior lecturer in the Faculty of Education and member of the Research Unit for Self-Directed Learning at the North-West University (NWU), recently returned from her visiting scholar engagement at the University of Idaho (USA), where she explored new approaches to early-childhood science education.

When the stars came out, running shoes were laced and goals were set. On your marks, get set and go! The inaugural North-West University (NWU) Berts Bricks Athletics Club (BB AC) Night Race recently transformed the Potchefstroom Campus into a glowing celebration of fitness, fun and community spirit.

More than 1 400 athletes gathered at the NWU Amphitheatre to take part in either the 10 km race or 5 km Fun Run, marking a spectacular comeback for the once-popular community event.

Laughter, song, and the sound of cheering carried through the breeze as the 2025 University Staff Sport and Wellness of South Africa (USSWSA) national tournament kicked off in Gqeberha this past weekend. The weather kept everyone guessing, cloudy one moment and sunny the next, but the energy on the fields was bright and full of excitement from start to finish.

A healthcare transport solution designed to deliver medical services to remote communities has earned two students from the North-West University (NWU) national recognition in a leading engineering competition.

A recent visit by North-West University (NWU) Professors Ephrem Redda and Prof Marko van Deventer to the Nicolaus Copernicus University (NCU) in Toruń, Poland represented a significant step in strengthening international academic collaboration.

Hosted by the NCU’s Faculty of Economic Sciences and Management, the visit underlined the importance of cross-institutional partnerships in higher education and demonstrated the potential for meaningful scholarly exchange and cooperation.

Book launches represent important academic milestones. On 23 September 2025, the Faculty of Theology at the North-West University (NWU) hosted a book launch and celebration that highlighted the value of international research and academic exchange.

The Varsity Cup team and Joubert Schoeman were among the many award recipients who received recognition on a night dedicated to excellence and a passion for the game.

Coaches and players traded boots for formal wear on Monday night as the North-West University (NWU) Rugby Institute hosted its year-end function and awards ceremony. Known for their grit on the field, the athletes were now dressed to the nines, celebrating a season of hard work, growth and historic success.

“Rugby is more than a game. It is a reflection of who we are and what we stand for.”