Natural and Agricultural Sciences News

Water management in the spotlight during launch of NWU Internationalisation Africa outreach programme

On 11 August 2022, the North-West University (NWU) Business School launched its Internationalisation Africa Outreach programme in Botswana with the theme “Water is life: sustainable water management in Southern Africa”.

The launch was attended by NWU Business School alumnus, Minister of Land and Water Affairs in Botswana, Dr Kefentse…

NWU Animal Health and Mahikeng SPCA provide rabies vaccinations

Ontiretse Motingwa

The subject group Animal Health on the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Mahikeng Campus, in collaboration with the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) in Mahikeng, recently visited the Lekaleng village close to the campus to offer free rabies vaccinations. 

Rabies is…

Dr Anja graduated and stood out from the rest

The famous French fashion designer Coco Chanel said to be irreplaceable, one must always be different and that was definitely the case when Dr Anja Erasmus received her PhD in Environmental Science on 29 July 2022. She stood out by wearing a dress with her research printed on it.

Her journey at the NWU started in 2012 where she enrolled…

NWU host first of its kind indigenous astronomy conference

The North-West University (NWU) proudly hosted the inaugural three-day International Indigenous Astronomy Conference from 27 to 29 July 2022 at the Royal Marang Hotel in Rustenburg.

During the conference the International Indigenous Astronomy Experts Society was also launched.

The theme of the conference, sponsored by the…

NWU researchers test medicinal plants used for contraception

For women who cannot take commercial contraceptives for health or other reasons or cannot access them, North-West University (NWU) researchers and traditional health practitioners from the North West province are exploring alternatives: the use of medicinal plants.

The project is a multistakeholder collaboration led by Dr Arthur Moroole…

Fulbright scholar joins NWU to investigate secrets of serpentine ecology

A Fulbright scholar from the United States is joining the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management for 10 months to do research in a field where many stones are still unturned.

There are gaps in knowledge that scientists have about plant and insect species living on serpentinite rocks and filling in…

Better coordination and collaboration can boost food security in rural South Africa

“My passion for rural development started when I realised that there are families who go to bed without food. I became more interested through my research on key strategies and interventions that can assist the country on how rural development can be best implemented to ensure that food is secure and rural areas are developed,” says Dr Maria…

Microscopic wonder on yellow-bellied sea snake is a scientific breakthrough

Just as vastness induces awe, so there is wonder to be found in the miniscule. For Dr Roksana Majewska from the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences at the North-West University (NWU), this is an absolute truth. Before we zoom in, we need to talk about Hydrophis platurus – or the more friendly sounding yellow-bellied sea snake. This…

NWU teaches high school learners more about geographic mapping

The subject group Geography on the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Mahikeng Campus recently hosted 44 Grade 11 and 12 learners from the Tiego Tawana High School to teach them more about the Geographic Information System (GIS) software application.

GIS is a system that creates, manages, analyses, and maps all types of data. GIS connects…

NWU ecotoxicology researchers represent Africa on a global scale

A group of 15 researchers from the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management recently presented their work at the 32nd Annual Meeting of the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC) Europe conference in Copenhagen, Denmark.

The theme for the meeting was “Towards a reduced pollution…