Research reveals troubling state of the Vaal River

The Vaal River – one of the most important water sources in South Africa – is currently “surviving but not thriving”, according to North-West University (NWU) researcher Prof. Wynand Malherbe, who is studying the ecological health of the river in the Vredefort Dome area.

Although the river continues to sustain aquatic life, increasing…

NanoEnv and Groot-Marico Biosphere Reserve partnership continues to advance community-based research

The Nano Environment Incubation Programme (NanoEnv) team from the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences (FNAS) at the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Mahikeng Campus engaged with the management of the Groot Marico Biosphere Reserve and local stakeholders on 20 February 2026.

The purpose of the engagement was to present scientific…

GROW gender summit aimed at empowering women in academia

The North-West University (NWU) buzzed with energy and purpose recently as the Gender-Responsive Opportunities for Women in Academia (GROW) Gender Summit 2026 brought together a powerhouse of professors, scholars and change-makers from across the globe at the Tsebonokeng Hall on the Vanderbijlpark Campus.

The project is a partnership…

An evening of celebration of happiness, reflection and art

There was a gentle sense of celebration in the air as guests gathered at Kleinbosch Wedding Venue for the launch of Happiness, Unhappiness, and Chance by Anné Hendrik Verhoef.

Friends, colleagues and members of the university community came together not only to celebrate a new book, but also to reflect on one of the most enduring…

NWU community runs to support students in need

Every step counted on Saturday 7 March as students, staff and the community at NWU Vanderbijlpark Campus laced up their running shoes to participate in the meaningful ‘Running for Impact’ initiative, which supports NWU’s Meal-A-Day programme.

Organised by the Development and Fundraising Department in partnership with the Genese Running…

Prof. Bismark Tyobeka participates in Nuclear Forum at Africa Energy Indaba

The principal and vice-chancellor of the North-West University (NWU), Prof. Mzubanzi Bismark Tyobeka, recently participated in the Nuclear Forum at the Africa Energy Indaba, one of the premier platforms on the continent for dialogue on energy security, policy and innovation.

The Africa Energy Indaba brings together policymakers, energy…

Crisis, trauma and how they affect you differently

Dr Monique de Klerk is a senior counselling psychologist at the NWU's Centre for Health and Human Performance (CHHP)

Dr Monique de Klerk knows the difference between the theoretical and the practical. As a senior counselling psychologist at the Centre for Health and Human Performance…

Koeberg is the continent’s nuclear backbone

Koeberg’s latest milestone shows why nuclear power remains central to South Africa’s energy future.

Koeberg’s performance suggests Eskom may be rebuilding the public confidence it once lost.

As the only operational nuclear plant in Africa, Koeberg…

Is a university degree still worth it in South Africa’s changing job market?

Few questions worry prospective students and their parents more today than whether a university degree is still worth it.

In a country facing crippling unemployment, the rise of artificial intelligence and mounting financial pressures, prospective students and their parents are re-evaluating whether the once-…

Heightened uncertainty underscores the need for accelerated structural reforms

The good news is that, compared with gross domestic product (GDP) growth rates of 0,8% and 0,5% in 2023 and 2024, respectively, growth improved to 1,1% in 2025.

Prof. Raymond Parsons, economist from the North-West University (NWU) Business School, says the latest figures for 2025 that were released by StatsSA confirm that South Africa…