When it comes to midwifery, neonatal care and nursing research, the name of North-West University’s Prof Welma Lubbe is the first that comes to mind.

As South Africa prepares to ease restrictions aimed at preventing the spread of Covid-19, a North-West University (NWU) virologist, Prof Albie van Dijk, shares her views on the country’s fight against the pandemic.

The North-West University has for years been an informative and entertaining presence on the very popular weekly environmental radio programme, Omgewingspraatjies. This tradition continues with a new expert following in the footsteps of his NWU colleagues.

While some people might think the social media field is purely for popular consumption, it has become a separate field of study for research in its own right.

Covid-19 is tightening its grip and those with the least financial means are feeling its stranglehold the most. Their plight is being heard. Students from the North-West University (NWU) again showed that – even in the face of a global pandemic – their commitment to helping the community is unwavering.

‘President Cyril Ramaphosa’s additional economic support package to address the fallout on the economy from Covid-19 represents a highly substantial raft of measures designed to assist distressed businesses, households and individuals, adding up to about 10% of South Africa’s GDP.”

The team from PUKfm, the radio station on the North-West University’s (NWU’s) campus in Potchefstroom, was filled with joy and excitement after they walked away with three awards during the South African Radio Awards ceremony which was held on 17 April 2020.

Across the world the Covid-19 pandemic has changed our assumptive worlds drastically, yet life continues to happen. Babies are born, people develop health conditions that are not related to Covid-19, others reach milestone birthdays, while others die.

Vivien Redelinghuys, a second-year BA sociology and labour relations student at the North-West University (NWU), became an overnight sensation after going viral on social media.

There is a saying in Tibetan: “Tragedy should be utilised as a source of strength. No matter what sort of difficulties, how painful experience is, if we lose our hope, that's our real disaster.”