Dutch education and science attaché in South Africa visits Optentia

On 27 January 2023 the Netherlands' education and science attaché in South Africa paid a visit to the Optentia research unit of the North-West University (NWU).

Berto Bosscha met with senior management to share information on the newly created position of education and research attaché at the Netherlands Embassy in South Africa.

Optentia hosts prestige lecture on how research impacts daily lives

Research should not only be an academic activity but should also have a positive impact on society.

This view was shared by Prof Darelle van Greunen, an extraordinary professor at the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Optentia research unit during a recent prestige lecture at the Vanderbijlpark Campus.

During the lecture titled “…

New book uncovers age inclusive ICT use for service delivery

by the Optentia research unit

A book was recently published under the editorial leadership of researchers from Optentia Research Unit on the Vanderbijlpark Campus. The team lead by Profs. Vera Roos and Jaco Hoffman from the sub-programme Ageing and Generational Dynamics in Africa (AGenDA), included researchers…

Parents differ from learners and teachers in their views on corporal punishment in schools

It is clear that something needs to be done about discipline in schools, but reintroducing corporal punishment, even on a limited scale, is probably not the answer.

This is one of the findings of a study by Dr Noorullah Shaikhnag, senior lecturer and deputy director at the School of Psycho-Social Education of the North-West University (…

Prof Shan Simmonds on rethinking human rights with and within the curriculum

When South Africa was declared a democratic state in 1994, Prof Shan Simmonds was only 11 years old. Although she could recognise things changing around her, she could not understand the deeper discourses that infused these changes.

In her experience, a handful of black learners entered what had, up until that point, been a whites-only…

NWU alumnus is one of 100 South African Shining Stars

North-West University (NWU) alumnus Keorapetse Mashimo has been selected as one of the 100 South African Shining Stars  by Inside Education for his contribution to sport in his community.

This was announced during a function hosted by Inside Education and the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) on 20 October in Johannesburg. …

NWU alumnus shines bright at teaching awards

Khululwa Nosipho Shibane, North-West University (NWU) alumnus and an educator at Christinah School for the Blind and Partially Sighted, came second in the category Excellence in Special Needs Teaching in the North West provincial segment of the National Teaching Awards that took place on 7 October 2022.

This was not her first accolade.…

Teachers' Day 2022: Transforming education

By Ontiretse Motingwa

World Teachers’ Day is celebrated annually on 5 October in recognition of and to show appreciation for the critical role teachers play in contributing to education and development across the globe.

This year’s theme is “The transformation of education begins with teachers”.

Faculty of Education hosts literature week

Oldrin Masowa

Storytelling is regarded as a form of information sharing and at the Faculty of Education they believe that great stories happen to those that can share them. The Faculty hosted  a three day literature workshop on the Potchefstroom…

Inaugural lecture examines literary-linguistic-cultural representations

By Phenyo Mokgothu and Ontiretse Motingwa

Prof Muchativugwa Liberty Hove presented his inaugural lecture on the evening of 30 September 2022 to a hall filled with luminaries, friends and family.

He started the lecture with what he considers a timeless poem, A Dream Deferred (…