The forgotten cost of food production in South Africa

Opinion piece by Ella Mogashoa, a researcher in the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences at the North-West University (NWU).

South Africans have become all too familiar with rising food prices. Every trip to the supermarket seems to confirm the same reality: the weekly grocery…

Borders and jobs: What the ‘March and March’ debate means for SA’s agricultural labour force

Opinion piece by Ella Mogashoa, a researcher in the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences at the North-West University (NWU).

As dawn breaks across South Africa each morning, thousands of farm workers are already hard at work. Long before most South Africans begin their day,…

NWU researcher advances to the Rising Star Awards semi-finals

Dr Moleboheng Mokhele, a senior lecturer and researcher at the Research Unit for Self-Directed Learning at the North-West University (NWU), has been named a semi-finalist in the Public Service category of the TransUnion Rising Star Awards of South Africa.

The recognition places her…

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…