Experts debate the fiscal future of South Africa

A lively panel of experts provided a critical analysis of Minister Enoch Godongwana's Budget address during the Pitso 2025.4 discussion of the North-West University (NWU) Business School. These experts advocated for significant changes to the way South Africa creates and oversees its national budget, calling for transparency and accountability…

Animal nutritionist explores the effects of marula seed cake on chicken production and meat quality

Zibukile Gcinile Mchunu, a North-West University (NWU) master’s graduate from Nkandla, KwaZulu-Natal, conducted a study examining the effects of dietary inclusion of marula seed (kernel) cake on productive performance, health, gut metagenomes, and meat quality of indigenous Boschveld chickens.

She was supervised by Dr Doc Mthiyane from…

Hybrid workers need to rekindle the human connection

The academic workplace is no longer defined by shared offices and hallway conversations. As hybrid work becomes the norm, one researcher argues that the shift may be eroding the very ties that keep academic communities functioning.

“Academics are often isolated in their work, and hybrid work has amplified that,” said Dr Rudo Rachel…

Breaking the HIV bottleneck: Why sub-Saharan Africa must lead the way

· African nations must build their own research capacity, rather than relying solely on Western institutions and donors.

· Africa remains largely overlooked in HIV sequencing research, despite bearing the greatest burden.

· It is time for Africa to reclaim agency over its health future.

· Global HIV research is biased…

Prof Rose Hayeshi now a fellow of the Gates Foundation Calestous Juma Science Leadership Fellowship

Prof Rose Hayeshi, director of the Preclinical Drug Development Platform (PCDDP) at the North-West University (NWU), has been accepted into the Calestous Juma Science Leadership Fellowship of the Gates Foundation. The Calestous Juma Science Leadership Fellowship focuses on bringing together accomplished innovators to form a community of global…

TELIT-SA champions innovation at 2025 NWU CTL Teaching and Learning Conference

At the 2025 Teaching and Learning Conference of the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Centre for Teaching and Learning (CTL), members of the TELIT-SA research entity demonstrated why they are at the forefront of educational innovation.

Themed “Reimagining the future of teaching and learning: synergy, sustainability and success”, the…

Alumnus co-edits landmark books on indigenous knowledge systems

By Mokgothu Phenyo and Motsamai Gofaone

Indigenous knowledge systems (IKS) are receiving growing academic recognition as a valid and valuable body of knowledge. An important factor in this is the contribution of scholars such as Dr Monicca Thulisile Bhuda, an alumnus of the North-West University (NWU).

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New species of rain frog, Breviceps batrachophiliorum, discovered

In the damp, grassy slopes of the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands, an unassuming amphibian has leapt into the scientific spotlight. Named Breviceps batrachophiliorum – Latin for ‘frog-loving people’ – this newly described species of rain frog is a triumph of taxonomy and a compelling example of the intersection of citizen science and academic rigour.…

NWU honours Prof Christa Rautenbach with the Chancellor’s Medal

Her transformative leadership through her editorship of the Potchefstroom Electronic Law Journal stands as a beacon of achievement in the vision and mission of the North-West University (NWU) to be a pre-eminent university in Africa. Her achievements in legal academia and journal development have earned Prof Christa Rautenbach the NWU…

New book explores the hidden world of aquatic parasites

On Friday, 16 May, a significant contribution to environmental science was made with the release of a new book, Aquatic Parasitology – Ecological and Environmental Concepts and Implications of Marine and Freshwater Parasites. Co-edited by Prof Nico Smit from the North-West University (NWU) and Prof Bernd Sures from the University of Duisburg-…