By Gofaone Motsamai and Phenyo Mokgothu

Cannabis is much more than a plant for South Africa’s traditional healers; it is part of a spiritual practice and a tool for healing in our communities, according to five postgraduate students from the North-West University’s (NWU) Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences.

If Khumo Feni, an Indigenous knowledge systems (IKS) PhD candidate and IKS coordinator at the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Mahikeng Campus, has her way, each of the three campuses at the NWU will soon have an Indigenous Games office.

Aimed at promoting indigenous languages, cohesive social structures, and engagement among members of campus communities, the beauty of indigenous games is that they have wide appeal among people of all ages and from all walks of life.

Working and playing together

By Phenyo Mokgothu and Gofaone Motsamai

Five speakers from the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Mahikeng Campus Debate Union proved their strength at a national debate and public-speaking competition held at the University of the Free State.

“We chose the speakers from the internal public-speaking competition, and they showed they have what it takes to compete at national level,” says Sandile Mbizeni, chief adjudicator of the Debate Union.

In a classroom where calculators are shared and pencils run short, a delivery of 70 branded pencil cases from the North-West University (NWU) Botswana Alumni Chapter landed with purpose. These cases containing pens, maths sets and scientific calculators represent the means to bridge more than just academic gaps.

A call has gone out to stakeholders in the North West Province to be part of the process of unlocking the economic potential of “matekwane” - the Setswana word for cannabis - for the benefit of rural communities.

By Gofaone Motsamai

When South Africa went into lockdown in response to the Covid-19 pandemic, the economic impact was immediate. Informal traders – those who operate without formal registration or protection – were among the most affected. With no income, no access to trading spaces and limited government support, many were pushed into a state of deep uncertainty.

The South African Statistical Association (SASA) has announced the winner of its 2024/25 Honours Bursary Competition. Relebohile Makhanya, a student from North-West University’s (NWU’s) Mahikeng Campus, has been awarded the bursary valued at R50 000.

The competition is open to third-year students in statistics or mathematical statistics who plan to pursue honours studies at a South African university. It aims to support academic progress and address financial need in the field.

Drama has its uses beyond the stage and screen. It can even be applied to workplace challenges.

In a creative approach to learning, second-year students from the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Human Resource Management, Industrial Psychology and Tourism subject groups have been using drama to explore workplace challenges and propose practical solutions.

As part of their Training and Development module, students were tasked with identifying gaps in real-world company training practices and presenting strategic responses through dramatised scenarios.

North-West University (NWU) alumnus Tsholofelo Lejaka has entered the ring as Boxing South Africa’s (BSA’s) new chief executive officer.

Tsholofelo previously served as BSA CEO from 2016 to 2020, and he returned to the organisation in September 2024 as acting accounting officer. His appointment, effective 17 June 2025, follows a comprehensive recruitment process initiated in January 2025 to restore stability within the organisation.

Never underestimate the value of actively participating in student activities while studying. Ntlantla Lucky Kgatlhane, now a senior political reporter at the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC), is testament to that. He started out at the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Mahikeng Campus radio station, writing for the campus newspaper and generating content for the university’s website.

“I would never choose any other university because for me, the NWU is where it all started, where I built the foundation of my career,” he says.