Floyd Shivambu and the fight for his political future

Enigmatic and erratic, bold and belligerent. Floyd Shivambu walks the line between chaos and command like few other South African politicians do, with both his detractors and supporters asking: What is next for Floyd?

As has become the norm, Shivambu has recently evoked the ire of yet another of his political homes – the MK Party (MKP…

Prof Bismark appointed chairperson of SABS Board

He is known for setting the highest standards for himself, and now Prof Bismark Tyobeka, principal and vice-chancellor of the North-West University (NWU), has been entrusted with doing the same for the country. As the newly appointed member and chairperson of the South African Bureau of Standards (SABS), he will steer an institution that plays…

Debate union stands tall at UFS debate and public speaking competition

By Phenyo Mokgothu and Gofaone Motsamai

Five speakers from the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Mahikeng Campus Debate Union proved their strength at a national debate and public-speaking competition held at the University of the Free State.

“We chose the speakers from the internal public-speaking…

Botswana alumni deliver tools of success to learners

In a classroom where calculators are shared and pencils run short, a delivery of 70 branded pencil cases from the North-West University (NWU) Botswana Alumni Chapter landed with purpose. These cases containing pens, maths sets and scientific calculators represent the means to bridge more than just academic gaps.

The handover took place…

Community lekgotla explores cannabis commercialisation

A call has gone out to stakeholders in the North West Province to be part of the process of unlocking the economic potential of “matekwane” - the Setswana word for cannabis - for the benefit of rural communities.

The North-West University’s (NWU’s) Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS) Centre recently facilitated the Matekwane Community…

NWU Desmond Tutu School of Medicine cements future with North West Department of Health partnership

The future of the North-West University’s (NWU) Desmond Tutu School of Medicine was further consolidated on Tuesday, 24 June 2025, with the signing of a memorandum of agreement (MoA) between the NWU and the North West Department of Health (NWDoH) on the university’s Potchefstroom Campus.

“It is a privilege to be able to celebrate…

Struggles and shifting realities of informal traders during Covid-19 offer lessons for future crises

By Gofaone Motsamai

When South Africa went into lockdown in response to the Covid-19 pandemic, the economic impact was immediate. Informal traders – those who operate without formal registration or protection – were among the most affected. With no income, no access to trading spaces and limited government…

Teacher education project launches in Italy

Florence, the Italian city made famous by Renaissance artists such as Michaelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci, is also a modern-day hub for leaders in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education.

In May this year, the city ushered in a new phase in STEM teacher education as global partners gathered to launch the…

Student awarded coveted SASA honours bursary

The South African Statistical Association (SASA) has announced the winner of its 2024/25 Honours Bursary Competition. Relebohile Makhanya, a student from North-West University’s (NWU’s) Mahikeng Campus, has been awarded the bursary valued at R50 000.

The competition is open to third-year students in statistics or mathematical statistics…

QS ranks NWU among the top eight universities in South Africa

The North-West University (NWU) is firmly positioning itself as a globally engaged, innovative university committed to excellence and societal relevance. Prime examples of how the strategic priorities of the NWU align with the quest for globally relevant, sustainable solutions are the establishment and proposed establishment of three future-fit…