Call for climate-smart cattle breeding to promote food security

By Gofaone Motsamai

Heat stress is among the most urgent climate-related challenges affecting beef cattle productivity, requiring South African cattle breeders to adopt climate-smart strategies to bolster food security under changing environmental conditions.

“Heat stress is becoming a major threat to…

New study explores future biology teachers’ views on AI in the classroom across two continents

A new international study is shedding light on how future biology teachers from South Africa and Indonesia perceive the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the classroom, and what they believe is needed to make it work effectively.

Dr Moleboheng Mokhele-Ramulumo, a senior lecturer in the Faculty of Education and member of the…

Weevils alone will not permanently eradicate Hartbeespoort Dam’s hyacinth problem

By Gofaone Motsamai

While the release of weevils into the hyacinth-infested waters of the Hartbeespoort Dam is a welcome development, these insects alone cannot be expected to permanently solve the dam’s pollution problem.

“The use of weevils must be part of an integrated plan to resolve the issue,” says…

ReneWable Rangers game earns academic nomination for South Africa’s ‘Science Oscars’

Dr Moleboheng Mokhele-Ramulumo, a senior lecturer in Natural Sciences Education at the North-West University (NWU) and a member of the Self-Directed Learning (SDL) Research Unit, has been nominated for the prestigious National Science and Technology Forum’s (NSTF)-South32 Awards.

She has been nominated for the TW Kambule-NSTF Award in…

NWU to revolutionise agriculture through its Ask-a-Prof initiative

When smallholder farmers face agricultural challenges, who can they turn to for advice? The new Ask-a-Prof initiative of the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, in collaboration with the Zen Raseto Joint Venture, is at their service.

This pioneering programme is set to revolutionise agricultural…

Unveiling the evolution of intelligence science in South Africa

By Gofaone Motsamai and Nikelo Mehlomakulu

The evolution of South Africa’s intelligence services and the academic study of intelligence science took centre stage at a public lecture hosted by the North-West University (NWU) on 3 April 2025. Delivered by retired lecturer and intelligence expert Henning van…

Focus Area for Pure and Applied Analytics at NWU: Where curiosity meets mathematical mastery

In the ever-evolving landscape of academia, certain institutions stand out not only for their age or size, but also for their unyielding commitment to curiosity and innovation. North-West University (NWU) in South Africa exemplifies this spirit, particularly through its Focus Area for Pure and Applied Analytics (PAA) research entity. This group…

Academic elected as the new president of the African Astronomical Society

Prof Amare Abebe, research director at the Centre for Space Research at the North-West University (NWU), has been elected as the new president of the African Astronomical Society (AfAS).

AfAS was established to create a globally competitive and collaborative astronomy community in Africa.

Prof Abebe’s focus will be on expanding…

Indigenous agricultural practices promote food security

Although indigenous agricultural practices play a major role in enhancing food security in local communities, they are still undervalued, overlooked and regarded as old fashioned. A master’s student at the NWU is conducting research that could help to give indigenous agricultural practices a place in the sun.

Thato Hazel Seemise, a…

Academic earns spot in global grant programme

Articulating the social value of her research is a key priority for North-West University (NWU) researcher Prof Olubukola Oluranti Babalola, who has been selected for a top global programme on cutting-edge grant-writing and related skills.

Prof Babalola, director of the Food Security and Safety research niche area at the university, has…