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…

Study sheds light on community perceptions of mental health care

By Gofaone Motsamai

With fewer than half the people requiring treatment for mental health getting it, traditional healers could be the answer to South Africa’s pressing mental health challenges.

This is one the findings of Goratileona Mashishi’s master’s study on the perceptions of Mahikeng community…

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.

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Dr Thapelo ChaaCha to speak at HR Leadership & Strategy Summit 2025

Dr Thapelo ChaaCha, deputy director of the School of Industrial Psychology and Human Resource Management at the Vanderbijlpark Campus of the North-West University (NWU), will be among the distinguished speakers at the HR Leadership & Strategy Summit 2025, taking place in person from 20 to 21 August 2025 at the NH Johannesburg, Sandton.…

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…

Research unlocks local tree’s feed value for goats

A tree long overlooked as goat feed could help farmers in the North West Province boost meat production and cut feed costs, new research from the North-West University (NWU) has found.

NWU researchers from the subject group Animal Sciences at the Mahikeng Campus, led by primary author Onke Hawu, say the Searsia lancea tree, commonly…

Machine learning the watchdog for software?

In a world where software runs hospitals, banks and transportation, who or what ensures it doesn’t fail?

This was the central question posed by Prof Bassey Isong from the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences during his inaugural lecture on 7 August 2025 at North-West University’s (NWU’s) Mahikeng Campus.

The lecture,…

LO Teachers seminar, empowering learners for future careers

In a vibrant move to redefine Life Orientation (LO) in South Africa’s education landscape, the North-West University (NWU) recently hosted a captivating seminar aimed at giving the subject a much-needed restoration.

Held on the Vanderbijlpark Campus, LO educators from across Gauteng, including the Sedibeng, Tshwane, Ekurhuleni and…

North West agriculture budget grows overall but research funding declines

While an impressive R1,27 billion has been budgeted for agriculture and rural development in the North West Province for the 2025/26 financial year, the decrease in funding for research and technology services is disappointing. This is the view of Dr Kaya Myeki of the School of Agricultural Sciences at the North-West University (NWU).

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