Natural and Agricultural Sciences News
Plant health in focus as subject group Botany hosts public lecture
The subject group Botany at the North-West University (NWU) marked the International Day of Plant Health with a public lecture that highlighted the critical role healthy plants play in food security, environmental sustainability and human well-being.
Held on 28 May 2026, the lecture…
NWU named finalist in two prestigious Science Oscar Award categories
The North-West University (NWU) continues to shine on the national stage, having been named a finalist in two prestigious categories of the 2025/2026 NSTF‑South32 Awards. This recognition underscores the impact of the university in science, engineering, technology and innovation in South Africa.
…NWU leads the fight for earlier cystic fibrosis diagnosis in South Africa
Cystic fibrosis can be a life-altering and potentially fatal disease, but early detection through newborn screening can dramatically improve outcomes. The North-West University (NWU) houses the Centre for Human Metabolomics, a diagnostic laboratory uniquely offering cystic fibrosis newborn screening services…
‘Living laboratory’ a foothold for food security
The ten-minute drive from the North-West University's (NWU) Potchefstroom Campus to Pienaarskamp, just outside the city, is not scenic in the classical sense of the word. Along the route, new shopping centres and other developments show that Potchefstroom is slowly spreading its commercial wings. Yet once you pass…
Fresh produce markets feel pressure as revenue dips despite higher volumes
South Africa’s fresh produce markets moved more goods in April 2026, but earned less money in the process, exposing pressure points in the country’s food distribution system and raising concerns about oversupply, pricing and operational bottlenecks.
This is according to a market…
Academic receives global environmental science honour
A North-West University (NWU) researcher has joined a group of scientists recognised for shaping environmental science across the world.
Prof. Victor Wepener was named a recipient of the 2026 Society for Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC) Fellow Award during a recent…
CBMI Prestige Awards celebrate the brightest analytical minds
The Centre for Business Mathematics and Informatics (CBMI) at the North-West University (NWU) recently hosted its impressive CBMI Prestige Awards, celebrating academic excellence, resilience and innovation among students in the fields of actuarial science, business analytics, quantitative risk management and…
Kgodiso Development Fund partners with NWU to advance climate-resilient farming in the North West
The Kgodiso Development Fund (KDF), in partnership with the North-West University (NWU), is making significant progress on a flagship agricultural development initiative aimed at supporting emerging commercial farmers and strengthening food security in South Africa.
The NWU -Kgodiso…
Study shows how poultry farmers can reduce antibiotics and protect public health
A study by researchers at the North-West University (NWU) shows that it is possible for poultry farmers to reduce the use of antibiotics and still produce safe food.
The research finds that using less reliance on dietary antibiotics can help protect people, animals and the…
Indigenous foods still shape diets in Mahikeng communities
Pumpkin leaves, sorghum porridge and bone marrow remain on the menu in parts of Mahikeng, even as younger generations drift toward processed foods. A new study by Modjadji Mandy Rasehlomi, a North-West University (NWU) master’s student, found that indigenous foods continue to support dietary…