South Africa’s great municipal experiment

South Africa is preparing the most sweeping reconfiguration of local government since 1996. Velenkosini Hlabisa, the minister of co-operative governance and traditional affairs (CoGTA), has unveiled a plan to reduce dysfunction, shore up finances and restore public trust in the country’s 257 municipalities. At least 35 of these are now deemed…

Celebrating women’s strength, compassion and authenticity

“So amazing how this world was made, I wonder if God is a woman. The gift of life astounds me to this day. Give it up for the woman, oh, that woman. With a smile and a style, she’ll protect you like a child, that’s a woman.”

These powerful lyrics from Shaggy’s Strength of a Woman perfectly captured the spirit…

NWU students step into each other’s shoes for creative learning experience

On 6 August 2025, during a Human Resource Management (HRMA121) class at the Mahikeng Campus of the North-West University, male and female first-year students exchanged professional roles in a creative learning exercise aimed at building empathy, understanding and workplace diversity awareness.

The event, themed “Walking in different…

Dr Thapelo ChaaCha to speak at HR Leadership & Strategy Summit 2025

Dr Thapelo ChaaCha, deputy director of the School of Industrial Psychology and Human Resource Management at the Vanderbijlpark Campus of the North-West University (NWU), will be among the distinguished speakers at the HR Leadership & Strategy Summit 2025, taking place in person from 20 to 21 August 2025 at the NH Johannesburg, Sandton.…

Emile Coetzee joins South African Academy for Arts and Sciences

North-West University (NWU) Mahikeng Campus lecturer Emile Coetzee has been accepted into the South African Academy for Arts and Sciences (Suid-Afrikaanse Akademie vir Wetenskap en Kuns), an organisation dedicated to supporting and strengthening work in the sciences and arts completed in Afrikaans.

“It was a long journey for me to reach…

Foreigners in SA jails: Deportation is… complicated

Correctional Services Minister, Dr Pieter Groenewald, recently stated his intention to deport foreign criminals in South African jails back to their countries of origin. The Minister said that about 26 000 foreigners are either serving sentences in South African prisons or are awaiting sentencing. This places a massive burden on taxpayers,…

NWU lecturer appointed as chairperson of South African Heraldry Council

Appointed by the Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, Emile Coetzee, a lecturer in the History department at the North-West University (NWU) Mahikeng Campus, will serve a three-year term as chairperson of the South African Heraldry Council, bringing his expertise in history and heritage to the national stage.

“I am one…

Students encouraged to build networks and take charge of their futures

By Gofaone Motsamai and Keaoleboga Motshabi

Final-year students at the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Mahikeng Campus were challenged to think beyond graduation during a public lecture hosted by the Humanities Student Academic Chapter.

The event took place on 24 July 2025, and brought together current…

Shining bright: Humanities students celebrated for academic excellence

“Success is no accident. It is hard work, perseverance, learning, studying, sacrifice and most of all, love of what you are doing.” – Pelé

This quote could not be more fitting for the occasion, as the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Faculty of Humanities honoured academic excellence on 30 July during the Dean’…

Power, technology and the African question

The way technology shapes power, and how power defines technology, is the focus of a new study led by Amantle Mothelesi, a lecturer at North-West University’s (NWU) School of Philosophy, which argues that Africa needs a locally grounded philosophy of technology, shaped by post-colonial realities.

“Colonial power structures continue to…