Natural and Agricultural Sciences News
Ntokozo to represent South Africa at Brazilian summer school
North-West University PhD candidate Ntokozo Happy Msiza is one of only four young people that have been selected to represent South Africa at an agricultural summer school at the University of São Paulo in Brazil.
The summer school will take place from 21 July to 4 August, and is a joint effort between the board of the National Youth…
High-school learners learn more about the consequences of climate change
Learners from the StudyXpress High School in Potchefstroom got the opportunity to see for themselves what types of pollution and climate change enforcers are found in their environment. The group of learners and a science teacher recently visited the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Welgegund atmospheric measurement station for a field lecture…
Backyard garden partnership springs up in time for Nelson Mandela Day
In an era where food insecurity is a pressing concern, community gardens offer a practical solution by increasing access to fresh, nutritious food. These gardens empower individuals and communities to take control of their food production, reducing dependence on expensive and often unhealthy store-bought alternatives.
All this is…
Researcher secures place of parasites on red list for endangered species
Parasites. Just uttering the word may send shivers down the spine, conjuring up images of rapidly proliferating organisms devouring or destroying other species. A celebrated researcher from the North-West University (NWU) hopes to change those perceptions.
Credited with playing a crucial role in global conservation efforts to protect…
NWU professor's wide focus leads to international collaborations and NRF-rating success
Prof Elias Munapo from the North-West University (NWU) is a National Research Foundation- (NRF-) rated researcher – not a simple achievement for academics with major teaching and supervisory obligations.
His research interests are the use of mathematics and statistics in business. In 2022 he obtained his first C3 rating as a researcher…
Cutting back on bush encroachment
Bush encroachment is a global challenge, but through the multi-million rand RIBS project, this major contributor to land degradation is being tackled with renewed vigour.
RIBS is an acronym for “Rangeland Improvement through Bush Control and Sustainable Intensification to mitigate Climate Change and improve Livelihoods and Food Security…
Ju-Jitsu maestro selected to represent South Africa in Brazil
Elvis Moyo, North-West University (NWU) final-year PhD candidate in applied radiation sciences, has been selected as part of the Ju-Jitsu national team that is set to participate in the World Morganti Ju-Jitsu championship. The championship will take place in Brazil on 23 October 2023.
Elvis earned his place in the national team after…
Subject group Chemistry paves the way for research support and scholarships for postgrads
By Menziwa Msibi
The subject group Chemistry at the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Mahikeng Campus hosted the National Research Foundation (NRF) and the Sasol Foundation during a visit on 2 June 2023.
The purpose of this visit was to reinforce the visiting parties’ commitment to support and enhance…
NWU lecturer becomes first in family to bag a PhD
The recent autumn graduations at the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Vanderbijlpark Campus brought a momentous achievement for one employee in particular – Dr Bonelwa Sidumo.
Dr Sidumo, a statistics lecturer and emerging researcher, received her PhD in operational research.
The 33-year-old was born and bred in Centane, a rural…
Revolutionising agriculture: industrial engineering for efficient farms
Prof Rojanette Coetzee, an academic at the North-West University’s (NWU's) Faculty of Engineering, recently established a research forum that will use industrial engineering methods to help farmers.
Assisted by research assistants Herme Nel and Jorinda Marais, the Industrial Engineering in Agriculture (IE@Agri) Forum aims to apply…