Research News

NWU hosts impactful nutrition leadership training in Malawi

The North-West University (NWU) is dedicated to playing an impactful role on the African continent in line with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.

A prime example of this is the African Nutrition Leadership Programme (ANLP) of the Centre of Excellence in Nutrition (CEN) at the NWU that has for 22 years been making…

Public lecture calls for us to reclaim control of our food systems by remembering our relationship with the land

On Wednesday, 28 August 2024, the Population and Health research entity at the North-West University (NWU) hosted a public lecture by Dr Jackson Sebola-Samanyanga, senior lecturer in the Department of Town and Regional Planning at the University of Pretoria. The event was held at the Mahikeng Campus and attracted a diverse audience. The aim was…

Meet our researchers

Researchers across the faculties at the NWU continue to produce exciting work in their fields of expertise.

We introduce the work of two researchers - Tumi Ledwaba, a lecturer in History, and Prof Tycho Maas, extraordinary researcher in the School for Ancient Language and Text Studies.

Ancient texts and their interpretation for today’s society

Whether they are historically true or fictional, texts are not only informative, but are drivers of ideological change for their target audience, compelling their readers to adopt new behaviours such as morals and good ethical conduct.

Shedding light on these texts at the North-West University (NWU) is Prof Risimati Hobyane, a senior…

African herb and nanotechnology combine for “amazing” results

Maize seeds quickly germinate and become thriving seedlings when primed with fertiliser made from nanoparticles extracted from an indigenous African herb, impepho.

This potent herb (helichrysum odoratissimum), also known as kooigoed and African sage, is at the centre of the research of Dr Bongiwe Dhlamini-Zungu, a recent PhD graduate in…

Shift to social media by local newspaper proves effective

Fortune Tsutsa’s master’s-degree research on the use of social media for newsgathering and reporting by the Potchefstroom Herald exemplifies the power of modern technology in journalism.

Digital news has become an integral part of the South African news landscape, with the majority of South Africans now getting their news from various…

Pioneering South Africa's circular economy

Gone are the days of the throwaway economy. Environmental scientists and pioneers like Prof Linda Godfrey of the North-West University (NWU) are leading the charge towards a thriving circular economy.

With over 20 years dedicated to studying the waste sector, Prof Godfrey has observed the unsustainability of the traditional linear…

Diverse Qualitative Research Perspectives Festival set to inspire and inform

The North-West University's (NWU’s) Optentia research unit is gearing up to host the upcoming Diverse Qualitative Research Perspectives Festival from 3 to 6 September at The Roots in Potchefstroom.

According to Optentia's project manager Anjonet Jordaan, this festival aims to provide a dynamic and inclusive platform that encourages the…

Young researcher receives NRF award for excellence

Research with impact ─ this is what the North-West University (NWU) is renowned for. The university’s researchers continue to shine nationally and internationally. This was again evident at the recent 2024 National Research Foundation (NRF) awards, where a young NWU…

The African tourism renaissance: Now is the time to unlock its tourism potential

Africa is experiencing a tourism renaissance. Since 2022, the continent has seen a remarkable turnaround in its tourism fortunes, and it is enjoying an influx of foreign currency. Experts agree that now is the time to capitalise on this renewed interest in Africa as a tourist destination, as opportunities like this don’t come along very often…