It is time for the South African Blue Crane to spread its wings as a national icon

More than 99% of the world’s Blue Cranes live in South Africa, yet our national bird remains one of the country’s most underused tourism assets.

The Blue Crane is a living part of South Africa’s heritage, yet the species’ ‘Vulnerable’ status shows that national-symbol status does not…

Child nutrition in Africa: Parents cannot serve food they cannot afford

Even the cheapest nutritious foods can cost two to ten times more per calorie than maize meal.

Watery porridge may fill a child’s stomach without providing the nutrition needed for growth.

Two-thirds of Africa’s population cannot afford a healthy diet,…

Nepal’s Himalayan tragedy: Climate catastrophe or warning failure?

The horror, the horror. On 26 August, catastrophic flash floods devastated settlements and communities around Rasuwa, close to Nepal’s border with Tibet, high in the Himalayas. The nightmarish scenes, captured by CCTV cameras and witnessed across the globe, showed thousands of tonnes of ice, water, mud and debris…

Researchers earn national fellowships at Women in Science Awards

Two North-West University (NWU) researchers have received national recognition for work that could contribute to safer water, healthier honeybees and stronger communities.

Rebaone Mofokeng and Nolwandle Khumalo were awarded the DSTI-Prof. Keolebogile Shirley Motaung Fellowships at the 2026 South African Women in Science Awards on 20…

The psychology behind your shopping trolley

South African households are counting every rand, but the retailers competing for their money have a formidable advantage: they understand how people shop, often better than shoppers understand themselves.

From the moment customers collect a trolley, they enter an environment carefully…

Alumni celebrate communicators driving change and innovation

Communication took centre stage as North-West University (NWU) alumni, celebrated journalists, communications professionals, university leaders and distinguished guests gathered in Sandton, Johannesburg, for an inspiring evening exploring the evolving role of communicators as change-agents.

More than behind the scenes: the administrative professional as a business partner

By Zama Chaacha, personal assistant to the deputy dean for research and innovation in the Faculty of Humanities 

As we celebrate Administrative Professionals Day on 2 September, it is worth reflecting on how much the administrative profession has changed, and how much change there…

NWU celebrates exceptional results in the 2026 SAICA IAC exams

The North-West University (NWU) has achieved an exceptional 99% pass rate in the combined January and June 2026 Initial Assessment of Competence (IAC) examinations administered by the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA).

The achievement places the NWU well above…

ILMA marks 10 years by taking African languages to the AI age

The future of African languages will not be secured by preserving them only in books, archives and cultural memory. They must also be used in news media, science and public life, and built into the data and artificial intelligence systems shaping the future.

That message took centre…

Young mothers find a voice through Temba community dialogue

Young mothers in Temba are helping to shape research about their own lives, rather than being treated only as research subjects.

This approach is at the centre of “Her Voice, Her Strength”, a five-year community engagement and research programme led by Dr Lungisile Shange from the subject group Population…