Our hope lies in the power of our people

There is a saying in Tibetan: “Tragedy should be utilised as a source of strength. No matter what sort of difficulties, how painful experience is, if we lose our hope, that's our real disaster.”

This quote by the Dalai Lama XIV has perhaps never been more fitting than in the turbulent times in which we find ourselves today. When one…

Further cut in interest rates is a welcome pre-emptive step

“The South African Reserve Bank’s (SARB’s) surprise decision to cut interest rates by another 100 basis points is a welcome move. This will help to support the South African economy as it grapples with a rapidly deteriorating situation as a result of the extended Covid-19 lockdown.”

This is according to Prof Raymond Parsons, a…

NWU assists provincial Health in curbing COVID-19

The North-West University (NWU) and the North West Department of Health (NWDoH) are joining hands in the fight against the deadly severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, known as COVID-19.

The department’s deputy director-general, Mr Polaki Mokatsane, approached the NWU to assist with strategic information, guidance and…

NWU researcher advocates paternity leave

South Africa’s employment history has very little written about employed fathers compared to records about working mothers. However, fathers have been out in the workplace, away from home, longer than mothers have.

During the apartheid era, the migrant labour system contributed to this inequality, forcing fathers to work in areas…

NWU to validate new Covid-19 test

As the Covid-19 pandemic continues to wreak havoc locally and internationally, NWU’s experts have been roped in to assist with the validation of a new test in the fight against it.

The new test is being developed by a wholly owned South African pharmaceutical company, Austell Pharmaceuticals (Pty) Ltd. It is anticipated that this…

Serving ourselves and humanity during the Covid-19 pandemic

In March 2020, the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared the outbreak of a new coronavirus disease (Covid-19) as a global pandemic. Subsequently many people are overwhelmed by feelings of worry and anxiousness, especially by the constantly changing alerts, media coverage and national lock down regarding the Corona virus.

Two experts from…

Another chance to learn to cope during lockdown

If you missed the first online mental health workshop that was recently hosted for staff members at the North-West University (NWU), worry not.

The NWU will be hosting a second webinar session on 14 April at 10am.

The 75 minute long webinar will be presented via Zoom, and can accommodate a maximum of 300 participants. All you…

Autism Symposium – we’re going ahead!

Despite the new regulations put in place with regard to the coronavirus, the Institute of Psychology and Wellbeing at the North-West University (NWU) will this year still be hosting its fifth Autism Symposium from 25 to 27 June. The NWU and Autism South Africa (ASA) are offering the event jointly, but it will be presented as a digital,…

Lockdown: Yabelana connects communities with essential services

Relying on other people within the community for information is a reality faced by many South Africans.With the country currently being on lockdown for the next few weeks, getting accurate information regarding social services could be a nightmare.

Fortunately, the North-West University (NWU) has come to the rescue with Yabelana, a ground…

A silver lining amidst COVID-19?

The COVID-19 pandemic has certainly shown us what it means to live in unprecedented times. In the following opinion piece, Michelle Groenewald – a lecturer in economics at the North-West University (NWU) – shares her views on some encouraging measures that have taken place of late. She asks the question: can South Africans demand a better…