By Michelle Hammann
Mandela Day is an international annual celebration on 18 July to commemorate late president Nelson Mandela’s lasting legacy. People around the world are encouraged to make Mandela’s principles and values part of their lives.
“It is easy to break down and destroy. The heroes are those who make peace and build,” Nelson Mandela said.
For many who grew up in the 1990s, Captain Planet was the environmental superhero who could only be summoned when five young Planeteers united the powers of earth, fire, wind, water and heart.
It was this familiar image that Prof. Habib Noorbhai, deputy dean for research, innovation, community engagement and postgraduate studies in the Faculty of Health Sciences, used to describe the Faculty of Health Community Engagement Champions and delegates at the African Community-Led Knowledge Co-Creation Conference.
As South Africa prepares for local government elections later this year, questions around the future of municipalities, public participation and service delivery remain central to national discussions. Research by North-West University (NWU) Faculty of Law lecturer Dr Krisdan Bezuidenhout offers a legal framework aimed at strengthening collaboration between municipalities and the communities they serve.
Soil Science students from the North-West University (NWU) proved that excellence goes beyond rankings when they represented South Africa at a recent international soil judging competition, competing against some of the top young soil scientists in the world.
Facing a field of 18 international teams and 72 students from across the globe, the South African team secured 11th place overall, showcasing their ability to compete at the highest level.
The North-West University (NWU) Rugby Institute has been the breeding ground for some of the most talented rugby players in the country – this is no exception in 2026.
Six Varsity Cup stars of the NWU Eagles have signed professional contracts with South African rugby unions. They are Matthew Fortuin (Sharks), Jaco du Toit (Sharks), Stephan Krugel (Pumas), Jordan McLoughlin (Pumas), Sean Roulston (SWD) and Ricardo Fourie (Leopards).
By Michelle Hammann
Men who are struggling with their mental health seek treatment less often than women. This is in part due to the ongoing stigma against men who ask for mental health support. At the North-West University (NWU), Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month in June is centred around making male students and staff aware of how they can ask for support and whom they can approach.
Dr Moleboheng Mokhele, a senior lecturer and researcher at the Research Unit for Self-Directed Learning at the North-West University (NWU), has been named a semi-finalist in the Public Service category of the TransUnion Rising Star Awards of South Africa.
A young adult may feel healthy, exercise regularly and have no signs of illness, yet changes taking place inside the body could already be laying the foundation for future high blood pressure and heart disease.
Venomous snakebites affect thousands of people across Africa each year, but help can come too late if antivenom medication or expert assistance is unavailable. A team of researchers in the Faculty of Health Sciences at the North-West University (NWU) is investigating whether medicines already used to treat other conditions could help combat snakebite envenomation.