Human Interest News

Holly’s final bow: Lize graduates with her faithful companion by her side

It was a bittersweet day for North-West University (NWU) graduate Lize Marais, who celebrated her academic achievement and marked the final public appearance of her beloved service dog, Holly.

Lize received her Bachelor of Education in Senior and FET Phase in English, on 16 April, with Holly—her steadfast companion since 2018—right by…

‘Assume that I can’: putting a spotlight on Down Syndrome awareness

Society tends to have low expectations of people with Down Syndrome, a genetic condition that affects the development of the brain. Such perceptions are unfair and uncalled for, according to the international advertising campaign titled “Assume that I can”, which challenges widely held stereotypes of Down Syndrome.

The North-West…

NWU AI Hub: Now it is official!

The groundwork was laid over a year ago, and the foundation has been continuously reinforced through engagement with staff and students, the formulation of policies and guidelines, extensive planning and investigations and – most importantly – a shared commitment to embracing artificial intelligence (AI) in an ethical and responsible way at the…

Rocking the Vaal 2025 breaks three Guinness world records

In a powerful showcase of unity and community engagement, the North-West university (NWU) proudly participated in Rocking the Vaal 2025, a lively, cultural and charitable event held at Emerald Casino Tsogo Sun on Saturday, 29 March.

The event, organised by the Golden Triangle Chamber of Commerce (GTCOC) in collaboration with Emerald…

Academic elected as the new president of the African Astronomical Society

Prof Amare Abebe, research director at the Centre for Space Research at the North-West University (NWU), has been elected as the new president of the African Astronomical Society (AfAS).

AfAS was established to create a globally competitive and collaborative astronomy community in Africa.

Prof Abebe’s focus will be on expanding…

2025 SAICA and ICAN results reaffirm NWU as a leader in accounting education in South Africa

The North-West University (NWU) has again emerged as a leader in accounting education in South Africa. Its candidates achieved an overall pass rate of 95% in the January 2025 Initial Assessment of Competence (IAC) examinations of the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA) and Institute of Chartered Accountants of Namibia (ICAN…

Public lecture urges renewed commitment to preserving indigenous languages

By Gofaone Motsamai and Phenyo Mokgothu

In a world wired for global communication, local languages are falling silent.

This was the stark message during a recent public lecture hosted at the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Mahikeng Campus, where policymakers and scholars addressed the growing threat to…

Researchers explore the environmental impact of HIV-ARVs on South Africa’s water systems

By: Gofaone Motsamai

NWU researchers have completed a groundbreaking study that sheds light on the environmental implications of antiretroviral drugs (ARVs) in South Africa’s water resources. The report, “Quantification, fate, and hazard assessment of HIV-ARVs in water resources”, was submitted to the Water…

Indigenous agricultural practices promote food security

Although indigenous agricultural practices play a major role in enhancing food security in local communities, they are still undervalued, overlooked and regarded as old fashioned. A master’s student at the NWU is conducting research that could help to give indigenous agricultural practices a place in the sun.

Thato Hazel Seemise, a…

Vanderbijlpark Campus and GDCS forge partnership to empower communities and promote social justice

The North-West University’s (NWU’s) Vanderbijlpark Campus has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Gauteng Department of Community Safety (GDCS) to empower communities and promote social justice, focusing on gender-based violence (GBV).

The signing ceremony included representatives from the Sedibeng District, student…