Newsroom - Mafikeng Campus

Pope’s visit to Africa positions religion at centre of peace and diplomacy

 

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Thabang Motswaledi

 

The ongoing African tour by Pope Leo XIV has drawn global attention, positioning the continent as a key player in international relationships and peacebuilding efforts at a time when several regions continue to face conflict, governance pressures and social divisions.

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Busting myths and promoting understanding in Autism Awareness Month

Little understood but more common than many realise, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a condition that often leaves individuals living with it – and their families – feeling isolated and marginalised. With April being Autism Awareness Month, the time is ripe to promote understanding, acceptance and inclusion in society of individuals with ASD.

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Green Team drives environmental action through tree planting and community clean-up

The North-West University (NWU) Green Team is turning small environmental actions into sustained community impact, with recent initiatives showing how student-led efforts are reshaping public spaces while building a culture of responsibility among young people.

A tree-planting initiative and a large-scale clean-up campaign, both held in March 2026 with support from the Safety, Health and Environment (SHE) department, have highlighted the focus of the group on environmental awareness, collaboration and long-term sustainability.

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Academic joins inaugural global cohort for IOC diploma in sports pharmacy

A North-West University (NWU) professor has been selected for a new diploma in sports pharmacy offered by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), marking a significant milestone for both the institution and the pharmacy profession.

Prof. Stephan Steyn, an associate professor in Pharmacology, will join the inaugural 2026 intake of the programme, the first qualification of its kind worldwide, positioning the NWU among the early contributors to the emerging field of sports pharmacy.

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Academic support programme introduced to address students’ concern

The Students’ Campus Council (SCC) at the Mahikeng Campus of the North-West University (NWU) has introduced academic support programme to address student concerns related to academic matters and services offered by faculties.

The initiative was developed in response to ongoing student concerns about marks, credits, graduation outcomes and GPA calculations. It will take place twice a month for six months from 10:00 to 16:00 near the SCC offices and aims to connect students with faculty support through student leaders.

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Academic takes public health leadership role on global stage

Taking along the spirit of Ubuntu, a North-West University (NWU) academic is stepping onto the international stage to connect South African public health research with global networks through her appointment to a key leadership role at a major international conference.

Dr Mpho Chipu from the School of Nursing has been appointed by the International Institute of Knowledge Management (TIIKM) as country coordinator for the 12th International Public Health Conference set to take place in Bali, Indonesia, from 5 to 7 August 2026.

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Researchers call for stronger community involvement in wetland management policies

A recent study, co-authored by Dr Mandla Dlamini, researcher from the Unit of Environmental Management and Sciences (UESM) at the North-West University (NWU), emphasises that floodplain wetland management and disaster risk reduction efforts are unlikely to succeed without the active participation of affected communities.

The research found that while conservation and flood-control frameworks exist in many regions, people living near wetlands often experience these policies differently from how they were intended.

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Alumnus joins DStv Premiership club’s medical team

From campus sport to top-flight football, Lulutho Jizana has joined the medical team at Orbit College FC with a focus on player care and injury management.

Lulutho, a former first aider at North-West University (NWU), joined Orbit, a club competing in the DStv Premiership, in March.

He studied sport coaching and human movement science at the NWU and gained experience across multiple sporting codes and match environments while working with NWU rugby and the Soccer Institute.

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