Our world is speeding up, and never in human existence have we been able to search as fast, travel as far or delve as deep. The last century alone has seen a meteoric increase in the accumulation of data and we are able to store unfathomable quantities of information to help us solve problems known and unknown. At some point the ability to optimally utilise these vast amounts of data will be beyond our reach, but not beyond that of the tools we have made.

This time of the year the humidity in Nigeria’s capital, Lagos, sticks to you like Prestik. It is oppressive, constant. Then there is Benin, Nigeria’s neighbour in the west, just a thousand kilometres above the equator. The port city of Cotonou is captive between the Atlantic Ocean and Lake Noukoué, where pirates are known to roam.

 “The ‘s’ is silent,” explains Anais, who has just turned 20. “You pronounce it like ‘A-nay’.” Correcting people with the pronunciation of her name is second nature. “I am used to it,” she laughs.

However, this former pupil of Potchefstroom Gymnasium and now BCom Tourism Management student at the North-West University (NWU) does most of her talking on the chessboard. Look, this is a chess fundi if you have never seen one.

It is said that one of the greatest compliments an academic can receive is to be recognised and acknowledged.

Lerato Mohalajeng, a lecturer at the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Faculty and Economic and Management Sciences and Enactus faculty co-advisor, has been named the 2022 National Faculty Advisor of the Year by Enactus South Africa.

This is in recognition of her dedication to contributing to socio-economic development through her entrepreneurial action in Enactus and her distinguished mentorship and coaching of students involved in the Enactus team.

According to Prof Chrisna Gouws, associate professor at the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Centre of Excellence for Pharmaceutical Sciences, inquisitiveness and a vigorous personality have led her to where she is today.

This dynamic researcher has a PhD in biochemistry and is well known in the scientific community for publishing numerous notable scientific papers and reviewing manuscripts for international journals.

On Women’s Day this year, the Business School of the North-West University (NWU) had the privilege of honouring gifted young learners and students with great minds and the potential to shape a better future for all! The Modiragatsi Youth Innovation Competition finalists and winners were celebrated during a breakfast event at The Capital On The Park Hotel in Sandton.

The Covid-19 pandemic has once again highlighted the reading literacy crisis in South Africa. The inaugural 2030 Reading Panel calls for “fundamental reforms” to ensure that all children read for meaning by 2030 at the age 10. Currently, 78% of children cannot read for meaning. Due to rotational timetables and school closures in 2020 and 2021, children in South Africa have lost 1,3 years of learning.

This is according to Prof Carisma Nel from the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Faculty of Education.  

Oldrin Masowa

Local libraries often do not have the means to acquire much-needed computers and books on a regular basis. Staff of the North-West University (NWU) Library and Information Service (LIS) in Potchefstroom saw this need and reached out with a generous donation to the JB Marks community libraries.

Louise Vos, LIS senior manager, says the donation on 15 August consisted of 10 computers and nearly 800 books.

Prof Lebo Gafane-Matemane, an associate professor of Physiology at the North-West University (NWU), is paving the way for the next generation of researchers by carving new paths in cardiovascular health research.

Prof Gafane-Matemane, who carries out her research activities as part of the Hypertension in Africa Research Team (HART) and the Medical Research Council Research Unit for Hypertension and Cardiovascular disease, is making waves in her field.