Building leaders to tackle hunger and malnutrition across Africa

For more than two decades, the African Nutrition Leadership Programme (ANLP) of the North-West University (NWU) has been shaping the future of nutrition leadership on the continent. Since its first programme in 2002, this flagship 10-day residential initiative, hosted annually at the NWU, has developed over 500…

Academic recognised for scientific excellence in lifestyle diseases, mental health and health education

The South African Health Excellence Awards has recognised Prof. Leepile Sehularo, director of the Lifestyle Diseases research entity at the North-West University (NWU), who received the Second Runner-up Award for Scientific Excellence.

The awards ceremony was held on 8 November 2025 at the Sandton Convention Centre in Gauteng, co-hosted…

Researchers demonstrate that conservation and development can go hand in hand

While cities in Africa expand rapidly and the pressure for economic growth is increasing, the protected areas on the continent face a complex challenge: how to conserve nature and empower people.

At the North-West University (NWU) the Protected Areas Research Group, led by Prof. Reece Alberts, Prof. François Retief, Prof. Claudine Roos…

Student social workers are ready to facilitate community change

By Gosego Phutieagae

When final-year social work students at the North-West University (NWU) gathered for their annual conference, their message was clear: transformation begins with small acts of service.

The subject group Social Work hosted the…

A solemn commitment to ethics, competence, and care

The atmosphere was charged with purpose and pride at the solemn declaration of second-year social work students on the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Vanderbijlpark Campus. 

Held at the Tsebonokeng Hall in October, the solemn declaration holds profound meaning. It is a…

Lower unemployment rate is welcome news

Prof. Raymond Parsons

The latest Labour Force Survey, which shows that the overall unemployment rate fell slightly from 33,2% in the second quarter to 31,9% in the third quarter, is welcome news on the jobs front. 

Prof. Raymond…

Neglect of indigenous languages amounts to a betrayal of revolutionary ideals

Prof Gilbert Motsaathebe

Once seen as a bastion of multiracial, multicultural and multilingual values, South Africa now stands accused of turning its back on the very linguistic and cultural diversity that made it a symbol of unity.  This was the cautionary message from Prof Gilbert Motsaathebe, a…

Building healthier communities together: NWU and local communities co-create knowledge for lasting impact

Community engagement is not just a programme. It is a partnership, a shared journey, and a commitment to listen, understand, and grow together,” said Prof Awie Kotze, Executive Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences at the North-West University (NWU).

This ethos came to life during a three-day community-led knowledge co-creation seminar…

Empowering teens living with chronic illnesses

By Mzwandile Ndlovu

Teens living with chronic diseases need not be defined by their illnesses but by their potential and determination to succeed.

Dr Kezell Klinck, senior lecturer in the School of Management Sciences at the North-West University (NWU…

Dr Monray Williams is helping to lead Africa’s virology charge

The battle against HIV in sub-Saharan Africa has always been as much about systems and science as about the virus itself. Antiretroviral therapy has turned what was once a death sentence into a manageable condition.

Yet, as Dr Monray Williams of the North-West University (NWU) cautions, “millions of people still face barriers to…