NWU stargazer helps capture spectacular images of a magical cosmic “firework”

Faster than the blink of an eye, bigger than our entire galaxy and pulsating with unimaginable intensity, it is one of the most energetic cosmic events visible from earth observed and captured on record ― a shock wave that extends for 6,5 million light years.

Observing and capturing this magical “firework” in detailed images took…

Waiting times in healthcare are under the microscope

Waiting for medical treatment can be a life-or-death matter.

“Waiting times in healthcare are a significant problem that occurs across the world and often has catastrophic effects – as we have seen during the Covid-19 pandemic,” says Maria van Zyl, a lecturer in the School of Industrial Engineering at the North-West University (NWU).…

Newly B-rated researcher pursues new problems on ancient culture

Prof Jaco Gericke does not take an orthodox approach to research in his field, ancient culture, and in a sense that has sometimes counted against him. However, the tide has turned, and the fact that his work is not in the mainstream of scholarship may have proved to be an advantage. It led to the National Research Foundation (NRF) awarding a…

New species named in honour of NWU academic

According to Sir David Attenborough, who has at least 17 species named in his honour, having a species named after you is the “biggest of compliments that you could ask from any scientific community.” 

Internationally acclaimed North-West University (NWU) researcher, Prof Nico Smit was recently complimented in such a way.

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#theArtofResearch – making health science more accessible

It is no secret that the Hypertension in Africa Research Team (HART) at the North-West University (NWU) is at the forefront of in-depth research. Over the past year they have demonstrated yet again that their mission is to conduct research that could solve many health-related problems that affect young and old.  

Recently, HART…

Crime and punishment, but what about rehabilitation?

The South African penal system has failed and as a result crime remains out of control. This is the harsh and uncomfortable reality that is plaguing society, and the country’s haunting crime statistics attest to that.

One reason for this is the lack of rehabilitation opportunities available to offenders. The allure of falling back in…

NWU study investigates anti-apartheid themes in Setswana poetry

North-West University (NWU) academic Karabo Mangwekea recently conducted a study to explore the prevalence of anti-apartheid themes in transitional and modern Setswana poetry.

The study…

Space, billionaires and our new age of going to the heavens

There was a time when superpowers fought proxy wars and the world teetered on the brink of oblivion. There was a time when men rode behemoths called Redstone, Atlas, Titan and Saturn to the heavens underneath hundreds of thousands of pounds of thrust, and the names Sputnik, Laika, Gagarin, Shepard and Glenn…

Covid-19 tragedy is more than just numbers

Numbers are a part of life. And although we might be getting numb, disconnected and desensitised to all the numbers with which we are bombarded daily, we should not get used to them. We should not lose sight of what they mean, explains Professor Alida Herbst, Director of the School of Psychosocial Health at the North-…

Erica writes her way to first place

A writer will often say that they find writing more difficult than the average person, but for North-West University (NWU) student Erica Harris writing is seemingly effortless.

Erica, who is pursuing a master’s degree in media studies, was recently announced as the winner of the RSG…