Two North-West University (NWU) students, Makatu Mashanyu and Fhatani Munwana, have been nominated for the national ACCESS Habitable Planet Workshop (HPW) annual awards. These nominations recognise their contributions to science education and environmental initiatives.

The awards, hosted by ACCESS – the Alliance for Collaboration on Climate and Earth Systems Science – honour individuals who have made significant contributions to the Habitable Planet Programme.

By Gofaone Motsamai

Communities near Krugersdrift Dam, located between Bloemfontein and Dealesville in the Free State province, have been cautioned about possible waterborne infections linked to the dam. Dr Nisa Ayob, senior lecturer at the North-West University’s (NWU’s) School of Geo and Spatial Sciences, provides insight into the potential causes and risks of these infections.

By Gofaone Motsamai and Phenyo Mokgothu

The School of Management Sciences at the North-West University (NWU) hosted a Side Hustle Master Class at the Mahikeng Campus on 6 March 2025, bringing together students, lecturers and business professionals to explore strategies for developing and sustaining side businesses.

The event featured entrepreneur and author Willem Gous as the main speaker.

Companies listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) must navigate evolving sustainability reporting requirements to ensure compliance, credibility and investor confidence.

Prof Neels Kilian of the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Faculty of Law outlined the complexities of this shift in his inaugural lecture – titled “The legal background to integrated financial reporting” – on 5 March 2025 at the Potchefstroom Campus.

“The JSE has taken steps to standardise sustainability reporting,” Prof Kilian said. “But ensuring consistent compliance remains a challenge.”

A new weapon in the battle against malaria is emerging, and this time not from a laboratory, but rather driven by machine learning.

Researchers at the North-West University (NWU) have leveraged artificial intelligence (AI) to accelerate the search for life-saving drugs, a breakthrough that could shift the tide against this deadly disease.

By Keaoleboga Motshabi and Phenyo Mokgothu

Renowned radio broadcaster and cultural advocate Lucky Tlale, widely known as Hala Hala LTK, recently visited the School of Communication at the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Mahikeng Campus to share insights with undergraduate broadcasting students.

In Zimbabwe’s evolving political landscape, where promises of reform have yet to materialise, one unexpected force has emerged – comedy.

While official narratives speak of progress, social media tells a different story, one shaped by satire, memes and skits that turn national struggles into humour. But in a country where dissent carries risks, is laughter merely an escape, or is it a tool of resistance?

GoAllOut, a student-led organisation at the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Mahikeng Campus, is pressing for legislative action to provide free sanitary pads in schools and public spaces.

“We advocate for the provision of free sanitary pads as we want to promote female hygiene and take a stand against period poverty,” says Karabo Moalusi, a GoAllOut representative.

The Indigenous Language Media in Africa (ILMA) research entity at the North-West University (NWU) will host its annual public lecture at the Mahikeng Campus on 13 March 2025.

The lecture will focus on the role of indigenous languages in media, with veteran broadcaster and NWU honorary doctorate recipient Dr Masego Ezekiel “Easy” Matjila as the keynote speaker.

By Gofaone Motsamai and Oscar Mosiane

In a significant step towards advancing agricultural research and community development, Eden Roots – a bee farming enterprise based in Tloung Village, Mahikeng – donated a honey extractor to the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Crop Science subject group on 28 February 2025.

The honey extractor will be stationed at the NWU’s Molelwane Farm.