Natural and Agricultural Sciences News

NWU student chapter reaches out to Unathi Community Orphans’ Home

The Student Chapter of the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences (FNAS) hosted a coin-laying fundraiser event on 7 September 2022.

The aim of this event was to lend a helping hand to those who are less fortunate, and the money that was collected will be used to purchase food, toiletries and non-…

From a toxic to a greener world: protecting mother nature

“The inaugural lecture ceremony marks the rite of passage into the ranks of a professorship. It is also an occasion that celebrates one’s academic career achievements,” said Prof Jeffrey Mphahlele, North-West University (NWU) deputy vice-chancellor for research and innovation, during the inaugural lecture of Prof Indra Bahadur.

Prof…

NWU’s Prof Serena Lucrezi and her team scuba dive into research

By Oldrin Masowa

Although the words ‘charisma’ and ‘sharks’ are not often used in the same sentence, Prof Serena Lucrezi believes that the charisma of sharks can be the centre of attraction for shark tourism.

That is indeed the focus of project “Brand South Africa” she and her research team from the…

Professor continues NWU tradition on popular radio programme

A proud tradition of speaking up to protect the environment is alive and well.

The experts of the North-West University (NWU) have for years been part of the very popular weekly insert Omgewingspraatjies on the radio programme Brêkfis met Derrich on Radio Sonder Grense (RSG) on Saturday mornings. Prof Rialet Pieters, professor in…

NWU professor is using systems thinking to change the game of learning 

Prof Roelien Goede is passionate about teaching and moved to Potchefstroom, where she had been appointed as lecturer in the then School for Computer Science, Statistics and Mathematics, in 2001.

Her main research focus, for which she received a C2 rating from the National Research Foundation (NRF) of South Africa in 2018, is the…

Night-time cooking with solar is possible with thermal energy storage

With the aid of thermal energy storage systems it is possible to use solar cookers to prepare hot meals at night. Some systems perform better than others though, and there is room for improvement. This is according to Prof Ashmore Mawire of the Solar Thermal research group at the North-West University (NWU).

He recently gave a public…

Study finds freshwater species at risk from threats linked to human activities

From climate change and associated extreme weather events to pollutants, over-utilisation and invasive species, human activities are the main threats to freshwater species in South Africa’s largest floodplain ecosystem.

This is according to the Water Research Group (WRG) of the North-West University (NWU), which for the past 10 years…

NWU strengthens ties with industry employers

by Phenyo Mokgothu and Nande Kolo

According to statistician-general and head of Statistics South Africa Risenga Maluleke, the world of work is a competitive space where the skilled and unskilled often compete for opportunities, with some feeling discouraged or ending up being employed in an industry that is…

NWU IKS Centre and Modi Donkey farm to host lekgotla

The North-West University (NWU) Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS) Centre in partnership with Modi Donkey Farm will be hosting a donkey farmers’ Lekgotla on 1 September 2022 at the NWU’s Mahikeng Campus.

Director of the IKS Centre Dr Motheo Koitsiwe says the purpose of the lekgotla is to discuss challenges and possible mitigation…

NWU Prof is pushing boundaries in science

Prof Olubukola Oluranti Babalola is not afraid to push boundaries and this top-achieving academic is the epitome of excellence.

Prof Babalola is the director of the Food Security and Safety research focus area at the North-West University (NWU), leading as the head and principal investigator of a microbial biotechnology research…