Understanding consensual non-monogamy (swinging) from a South African perspective

While some people consider it a taboo, swinging - the act of allowing one’s partner to engage in sexual intercourse with other people - has been practised around the globe for decades.

A simple Google search gives thousands of results on the lifestyle, yet relatively little is known about swinging from a South African perspective.…

People solve problems, making anthropology the right place to be

The North-West University (NWU) Anthropology subject group is growing from strength to strength, and aims to make the NWU one of the top universities at which to study this field. 

“Recognising that the complicated problems of our society can only be solved with people, the subject group has embarked on a process of…

Pre-TSD and the Covid-19 conundrum

The impact of the Covid-19 epidemic on our mental health cannot be understated. From a South African perspective, months of a hard lockdown has changed the way we live, the way we work and the very way we operate. Mentally we have not escape unscarred.

A new study by Afriforte and the WorkWell research unit at the North-West…

Project on swearing produces scientific knowledge

“To my mind, the project has progressed exceptionally well. Not only have technology and infrastructure been established for sound research in the years ahead, but we have also gained a large number of registered users.”

These are the words of Prof Gerhard van Huyssteen, professor in Afrikaans and Dutch Linguistics at the North-West…

Getting the most out of medicinal plant extracts with nanotechnology

A North-West University (NWU) graduate is bringing together age-old plant knowledge and the latest nanotechnology to make the most of medicinal plant extracts.

According to a United States National Nanotechnology Initiative, nanotechnology is currently revolutionising the technology and industrial sectors. These include information…

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,…

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…

Preventing is better than treating substance abuse

Prevention is better than cure, and the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Prof Leepile Sehularo is at the forefront of seeking solutions to adolescent substance abuse through prevention programmes.

Illegal substance use among adolescent learners is a global concern for government policy-makers, researchers and mental health care…

NWU academic advances environmental justice

Environmental justice, writes North-West University (NWU) senior lecturer and researcher Dr Kesolofetse Lefenya, entails social transformation directed towards meeting basic human needs and enhancing the quality of life, environmental protection and democracy.

Dr Lefenya writes that, despite the latter, South Africa is experiencing…