How six days in Potchefstroom saved Australia

By Bertie Jacobs

Our dreaded enemy, our mortal foes. The Australian cricket team elicits a special kind of response from South Africans (and every other test-playing nation), most notably in the form of vitriol and expressions not fit for the printed or digital page. Battles between our respective bests, especially in the red ball…

South African economy in ICU: How do we get out of it?

The South African economy is in dire need of resuscitation. A development economist from the North-West University (NWU) says that not since World War II have the local and global economies been affected in such a devastating way as by the impact of Covid-19.

According to Prof Danie Meyer, director of the TRADE research focus area…

TRADE hosts economic development master-class event

Informal sector can play bigger role in job creation

The TRADE research focus area at the North-West University (NWU) hosted a successful online master-class event on 4 September.

The event was open to the public and focused on economic development. It was well attended by members of TRADE,…

Innovative lecturing approach during lockdown

Planning is everything. It may be time-consuming, but it is well worth the effort.

So says Meelan Roopa, lecturer in Business Engineering and Design in the Faculty of Engineering, sharing his story about teaching and learning during the lockdown period.

He says much time was invested in restructuring his method of…

CHHP – we are cloning expertise!

In the short life of the Centre for Health and Human Performance (CHHP) at the North-West University (NWU) it has already become known as one of the most exceptional centres that tertiary-education institutions have to offer. One of the factors that contributes to its success is that it is constantly seeking for new ways to improve its…

Space law specialist lands top fellowship

Prof Wian Erlank of the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Law Faculty has been awarded a prestigious research fellowship by an internationally renowned foundation.

The Alexander von Humboldt Foundation focuses on sponsoring scientists and scholars across all disciplines and nationalities. It provides researchers with the opportunity to…

Abduction and forced marriage still happen in South Africa

Even in 21st century South Africa, a constitutional democracy, forced marriage is a reality for some young girls. Ukuthwala, the customary practice where girls under the age of 18 years are abducted and married off to older men, still occurs in the rural Eastern Cape.

Such marriages are usually arranged by the groom and the girl’s…

NWU heads SA core team in fight against neuromuscular diseases

The social and economic impact of neuromuscular diseases (NMDs) is staggering. These diseases, which include motor neuron disease and muscular dystrophies, can cause premature death or lifelong disability and are believed to affect one in every 400 people – meaning about 20 million children and adults across the globe.

There is hope…

The brain science of creating happiness and well-being

Now, more than ever, it is important to us as human beings to be happy and healthy, but the brain’s primary objective is to keep us safe. The main function of our brain is to help us survive the day and keep us alive and well from today to tomorrow, but scientists have tricks up their sleeves to enable you to be happier and enjoy life to the…

TRADE assesses the financial health of metropolitan municipalities

Most of the assessed group of metropolitan municipalities in South Africa are not financially healthy, with only three of eight of these metros being profitable, even though there has been a general improvement in their revenue and expenditure ratios.

This is the conclusion of Prof Danie Meyer, a development economist and director of…