Decoding hidden signals of brown fat in obesity

When brown fat cells start sending the wrong signals, the body’s energy balance can shift in unexpected ways, which is bad news for people living with obesity and type 2 diabetes.

Dr Khanyisani Ziqubu, a PhD student from the North-West University (NWU), set out to investigate how brown fat behaves in obesity and whether plant-based…

NWU hosts successful International Week Symposium

The School for Industrial Psychology and Human Resource Management at the North-West University (NWU) recently hosted a highly successful International Week Symposium, spearheaded by Prof Bouwer Jonker.

This two-day hybrid event underscored the university’s commitment to internationalisation, academic excellence, and the development of…

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…

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.…

How a primary school hallway led to a PhD in engineering

Refilwe Ngwaku hails from the humble dusty streets of Soweto, where she believes that there are few role models. From a young age, her dream was to be different, to become the change she wanted to see. Her goal was to show that success can come from any background.

Refilwe can still picture the school corridor where, as a primary school…

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…

Data-driven talent recognised at 2025 BMI Prestige Awards

Data is the new gold in the digital age and data-driven decision-making is widely used in sectors from banking and finance to the law and telecommunications.

The North-West University (NWU) Centre for Business Mathematics and Informatics (CBMI), which is highly regarded across data-driven industries, hosted the 2025 Business Mathematics…

From construction sites to graduation gown

When Mongezi Prince Mbamba walked across the graduation stage at the Vanderbijlpark Campus of the North-West University (NWU) on 21 May 2025, it was not just a degree he carried – it was the weight of years of sacrifice, resilience and unyielding faith.

Born into a humble background and raised by a single mother alongside two siblings,…