By Gofaone Motsamai
There is more to being a spokesperson than issuing press statements; it is a role that demands speed, the ability to manage crises under pressure and, above all, honesty and integrity. This was the core message shared by North-West University (NWU) communications alumni at a seminar hosted by the university.
Feed costs are exceptionally high in the broiler chicken industry, prompting farmers and researchers alike to find ways to reduce the cost of feed without compromising bird health. Dr Makiwa Simeon Mthana, a North-West University (NWU) animal science graduate, has come up with a potential solution that uses mushroom biotechnology to enhance the nutritional utility of soyabean replacements.
The NWU’s Development and Fundraising department has teamed up with the non-profit organisation Meals on Wheels Community Services (MOWCS) to effect change through a new partnership. The collaboration was launched on Friday 18 July at the Vanderbijlpark Campus, where the spirit of ubuntu was evident. To celebrate Nelson Mandela Day, they hosted a sandwich drive at the Tsebonokeng Hall, serving around 1500 sandwiches to students.
Switzerland’s recent approval of Coartem Baby, the first antimalarial treatment specifically designed for newborns and very young children, is a major step forward in tackling one of Africa’s most pressing public health challenges, says Dr Fortunate Mokoena, a malaria expert at the North-West University (NWU). Developed by Novartis with support from the non-profit Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV), Coartem Baby is expected to be fast-tracked for approval in eight African countries that participated in the joint regulatory assessment.
South Africa’s mining sector makes a significant contribution to the country's national output, employment and infrastructure. But in communities near mining operations, access to healthcare remains limited. A new study asks whether the law should do more to close that gap.
Nndwakhulu Collen Khangala, who recently completed an LLM in Environmental Law and Governance at North-West University (NWU), examined the role of South African mining companies in realising the right of access to healthcare services in host communities.
• Approximately 95 000 jobs in South Africa depend on hunting tourism.
•Hunting tourism contributes USD2.5 billion, or about R44.03 billion to South Africa’s economy.
• Hunting tourism massively benefits rural communities.
• South Africa’s wildlife population on private land exceeds that in national parks.
Amid global debates on ethical travel and wildlife preservation, a new study from North-West University shines a spotlight on an often-overlooked sector that quietly props up South Africa’s rural economy: hunting tourism.
The International Association of University Libraries (IATUL) has appointed the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Dr Mathew Moyo as a board member.
Dr Moyo, chief director for Library and Information Services at the NWU, has more than 30 years’ experience in the field and sees his appointment as an opportunity to contribute to international academic librarianship.
The Staff-Wellness office at the North-West University (NWU) acknowledges the unique challenges that men encounter and affirms their right to receive support. In a significant step towards prioritising men’s mental health and emotional well-being, they hosted an innovative men-only online seminar centred around the theme “Managing emotions and Intergenerational Trauma”. The hybrid event took place on the Vanderbijlpark Campus on Friday, 11 July, and included virtual participation from colleagues at the Potchefstroom and Mahikeng campuses.
By Gofaone Motsamai and Nikelo Mehlomakulu
It was not only a return to where student life had begun; this residence homecoming was also the start of something new and an opportunity to pay it forward.
The Residence Homecoming at the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Mahikeng Campus took place on 4 and 5 July. Hosted by the Alumni Relations office, the event invited graduates to stay overnight in their former residences, walk through campus and reconnect over breakfast.
By Gofaone Motsamai
Stitch by stitch, management student Joel Malesela Khoela has created a tailoring business whose sewing is so skilled that nurses of the future trust him to produce their protective attire.
His company, Joel Stitch by Stitch TA Patrao (Pty) Ltd, recently completed a large tailoring order for the Faculty of Health Sciences at the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Mahikeng Campus.