Prof. Siedine Coetzee and Dr Mirriam Matandela

A powerful new chapter in South African nursing leadership began on 5 and 6 May 2026, when the National Department of Health and the North-West University (NWU) officially initiated the groundbreaking NurseLead programme – a first-of-its-kind initiative designed to empower current and emerging nurse leaders across the country.

The 2026 edition of the ranking of the Best Scientists in Neuroscience by Research.com places Prof. Brian Harvey from the subject group Pharmacology at the North-West University (NWU) among the three most cited researchers in the field in South Africa.

Prof. Harvey says this accolade highlights his decades of work in neuropharmacology and psychiatric research. “When you get notified of a ranking like this, it counters any doubt or negative thinking about the impact of your work.”

Africa's Travel Indaba 2026 is being held in KwaZulu-Natal from 11 to 14 May, drawing participation from more than 22 African countries. Attention is squarely on tourism’s role in driving jobs, trade and economic growth across South Africa and the continent.

Prof. Elmarie Slabbert, research director of Tourism Research in Economics, Environs and Society (TREES) at the North-West University (NWU), says Statistics South Africa data shows tourism remains a key source of jobs and output, requiring policy makers to strengthen the sector as a driver of economic activity.

Bradley Nkoana, Olympic star and proud NWU Eagle, continues to soar on the global stage after delivering another excellent result for South Africa at the World Athletics Relays.

Nkoana formed part of the South African 4x100 m relay team alongside Akani Simbine, Cheswill Johnson and Mvuyo Moss, with the quartet securing second place. The performance also ensured qualification for the 2027 World Athletics Championships in China, marking another milestone for the national team.

The 2026 ranking edition of the leading global platform, Research.com, places three of the researchers of the North-West University (NWU) among the best scientists in the field of psychology.

The inclusion of Prof. Ian Rothmann and extraordinary professors Prof. Bouwien Smits-Engelsman and Prof. Linda Theron in the list underscores the impact of the NWU on psychological research.

A moment of reflection for Prof. Rothmann

Groundbreaking research in child health assessment has now led to the development of the first free, open-source motor performance test designed specifically for African children.

Breakthrough research by Prof. Bouwien Smits-Engelsman, an extraordinary professor at the North-West University (NWU), and a team of international collaborators has now been published in Communication Medicine of Nature.com.

South Africa’s struggle to contain the spread of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is exposing a deeper problem than the outbreak itself. The country’s response remains firmly state-led, yet the state’s capacity to execute that response is increasingly in doubt.

Much of this gap between control and capability appears to stem from the government’s reluctance to involve farmers in its decision-making processes. The state needs to reconsider its insistence on control and acknowledge that it does not have the capacity to execute corrective measures effectively.