Voter registration without participation: lessons from SA’s 2024 elections

Opinion piece by Dr Mabutho Shangase and final-year master’s degree student Masungulo Khoza

The May 2024 national and provincial elections in South Africa were more than a routine democratic exercise; they were a revealing test of the electoral resilience of the country under mounting social and political strain…

Academic and alumni recognised among Inside Education’s 100 Shining Stars

Recognition for academic and community impact has placed the North-West University (NWU) in focus after one of its academics and two alumni were named among Inside Education’s 100 South African Shining Stars.

Dr Benjamin Rapanyane, a senior lecturer in political science at the NWU, was selected for his contribution to education in…

Special moment for dean as daughter graduates in programme she championed

Twelve years ago, Prof. Liezl van Dyk, executive dean of the Faculty of Engineering, came to the North-West University (NWU) on a mission: to play a central role in developing industrial engineering as an impactful discipline at the university. Her daughter, Karla, was 10 years old at the time. Now, on 31 March this year, Prof. van Dyk…

NWU Mahikeng Stadium meets national standards for professional football

The North-West University (NWU) Mahikeng Stadium has been approved to host matches in the Motsepe Foundation Championship, underlining the university’s ability to provide facilities that comply with the requirements for professional football in South Africa.

Motsepe Foundation Championship side Lerumo Lions FC have been using the 3 000…

NWU football coach Malgas earns CAF A Licence

Nkululeko Khwezilomso Malgas, manager of the North-West University (NWU) Soccer Institute, has obtained a CAF A coaching licence, a development he says will strengthen player training and coaching standards at the institution.

Nkululeko linked the achievement to the institute’s mandate of producing players ready for the professional…

Khayalethu residence hosts ‘4-in-1’ event

Sport, money, careers and technology were the focus of the “4-in-1” event held at Khayalethu Residence on the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Mahikeng Campus to prepare students for life in and outside the lecture room.

The programme, held on 7 March, started with an aerobics marathon and a five-a-side inter-block soccer tournament.…

Comrades champion Tete Dijana appointed at the NWU

The North-West University (NWU) is proud to announce the appointment of internationally acclaimed marathon champion, Tete Dijana, as a protection officer at its Mahikeng Campus, effective 1 April 2026.

Tete, a three-time Comrades Marathon champion, has become a symbol of endurance, discipline, humility and excellence in South Africa and…

Duty-free access to China opens door for South African exports but risks remain

South Africa’s exporters may soon find a wider door opening in Beijing, but whether they can fully walk through it will depend on preparation at home. China’s move to allow duty-free imports on selected South African products signals stronger economic ties, yet it is no silver bullet for broader trade challenges.

According to North-West…

SONA 2026: What to expect — and what not

President Cyril Ramaphosa will deliver his 2026 State of the Nation (SONA) address on Thursday 12 February, and he will do so in a world starkly different from that of a year ago. Political uncertainty, strained international relations and domestic pressures mean the president is operating in a political climate that is no longer simmering but…

Molelwane farm harvests success as student-led watermelon project generates revenue

Molelwane farm, the agricultural farm of the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Mahikeng Campus, has recorded a significant milestone following the successful harvest and sale of watermelons to the OK outlet at The Crossing Mall, demonstrating how practical student training can directly contribute to revenue generation for the university.

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