Natural and Agricultural Sciences News

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…

Learn more about Vedic Mathematics

The North-West University’s (NWU’s) School of Mathematics, Science and Technology Education (SMSTE) will soon host a series of mathematics workshops for students and teachers on Vedic Mathematics, an ancient Indian technique that has been used for centuries to solve complex mathematical problems quickly and efficiently.

The series will…

Exploring indigenous knowledge to combat cattle diseases

For centuries small-scale livestock farmers have been relying on plants to ensure the health of their animals, knowledge which could benefit veterinary science.

“Cattle farming is a traditional agricultural system that contributes to the rural economic, social and cultural values of communities. Cattle, and other livestock are affected…

Snail Day raises awareness of schistosomiasis and river health

The North-West University (NWU) Water Research Group (WRG) and the University of Limpopo (UL) recently hosted a Snail Day community workshop, sponsored by the Water Research Commission (WRC).

According to Dr Lizaan de Necker, principal investigator from the NWU, this formed part of their project that focuses on the distribution of…

Communities benefit from NWU’s development projects

South Africa faces difficult challenges that require the next generation of university graduates to be skilled leaders with extensive abilities to collaborate with communities to solve problems and create change. 

Four North-West University (NWU) projects carried out in partnership with communities exemplify how collaboration with…

Crop Science students experience real life commercial crop production and processing

The North-West University’s (NWU’s) subject group Crop Science, in partnership with the Mpumalanga Department of Agriculture, recently took final-year students on an excursion to Malelane in the Mpumalanga province for intensive physical training on commercial crop production and various crop processing technologies.

The Mpumalanga…

Role of indigenous health practitioners in addressing mental health issues

North-West University (NWU) academic Prof Miriam Moagi, together with Dr Mokgobola Thobakgale from the University of Limpopo and Dr Madimetja Magoro from Tompi Seleka College of Agriculture, recently published a book chapter on indigenous health practices in the treatment of mental illness in South Africa.

The book chapter aims to…

Advocating for sustainable poultry production to ensure food security

North-West University (NWU) academic Prof Kenny Mnisi presented a seminar on 20 April 2023 focusing on food security and safety.

The topic of the seminar was “Are we food secured now? If not, let us practise sustainable poultry production!”

According to Prof Mnisi the question is designed to measure the advances that researchers…