Prof Bismark Tyobeka: Starlink should shine in SA’s skies

As Starlink’s vast constellation of satellites traverse the sky in low-Earth orbit, they evoke wonder and awe in those gazing up at the night heavens. Science fiction has become technological reality. Yet, for South Africans, the benefits remain as distant as the stars beyond our solar system.

Here is why. Elon Musk’s satellite internet…

Innovative poultry feed research offers hope for sustainable farming

High feed costs and declining meat quality are two of the biggest challenges facing the global poultry industry. For many smallholder farmers in South Africa, these issues are even more pressing, as they struggle to balance production costs with the demand for affordable, nutritious meat.

Against this backdrop, Phethile Emmelina Mabuza…

Shaping biochemists who think beyond the lab and seek to make an impact

In a quiet laboratory on the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Mahikeng Campus, a group of postgraduate students huddle over microscopes and data sheets. At the centre of their work is not only the science they are uncovering, but also the mentor guiding them to think beyond experiments and toward the bigger questions of research and contributing…

Another key international role for Prof Babalola

Internationally renowned microbiologist Prof Olubukola Oluranti Babalola is in the spotlight again. The leader of the Microbial Biotechnology subject group at the North-West University (NWU) has been elected to two strategic committees of the InterAcademy Partnership (IAP), a global network of science, engineering and medical academies.

Inaugural lecture focuses on turning agricultural by-products into practical tools

Feed animals in ways that also protect the planet. This was the central message of the inaugural lecture of Prof Kenny Mnisi from the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences on 13 August.

During his lecture titled “Multipronged nutritional strategies for sustainable animal production and food…

NWU student triumphs at continental conference

Master’s-degree student Sibongile Dlaba’s innovative research on healthcare incident reporting won her an award at the 5th African Nursing Conference.

“Being named the winner of the Best Oral Presentation award at a continental conference was an incredibly humbling and empowering experience,” says Dlaba, with her voice filled with…

Research unlocks local tree’s feed value for goats

A tree long overlooked as goat feed could help farmers in the North West Province boost meat production and cut feed costs, new research from the North-West University (NWU) has found.

NWU researchers from the subject group Animal Sciences at the Mahikeng Campus, led by primary author Onke Hawu, say the Searsia lancea tree, commonly…

Stars and circuits spark curiosity ahead of Vice-Chancellor’s Science Day

The North-West University’s (NWU’s) third annual Vice-Chancellor’s Science Day on 6 August in Kuruman once again brought science out of the laboratory and into the community.

Kicking off the proceedings, NWU astrophysicist Prof Thebe Rodney Medupe led teachers and learners from local schools in a stargazing workshop.

Held on 5…

Two academics honoured with NRF Research Excellence Awards

North-West University (NWU) academics Prof Kgaugelo Lekota from the School of Biological Sciences and Prof Lebo Gafane-Matemane from the Hypertension in Africa Research Team (HART) were recipients of Research Excellence Awards for Early Career/Emerging Researchers at the 2025 National Research Foundation (NRF) Awards.

The awards…

Machine learning the watchdog for software?

In a world where software runs hospitals, banks and transportation, who or what ensures it doesn’t fail?

This was the central question posed by Prof Bassey Isong from the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences during his inaugural lecture on 7 August 2025 at North-West University’s (NWU’s) Mahikeng Campus.

The lecture,…