By Gofaone Motsamai

Master’s degree student Otsile Emily Moatshe from the Indigenous Language Media in Africa (ILMA) research niche area of the North-West University (NWU) is advancing the role of Setswana in academic research.

She is the first student at ILMA to write a master’s-degree dissertation entirely in Setswana, aligning with the research niche area’s focus on African languages in the media. She is supervised Prof Gilbert Motsaathebe – a renowned scholar in journalism, film, and television studies at the NWU.

A disease without a diagnosis is a battle fought in the dark. Without precise diagnostic tools, treatment decisions become guesswork, prevention efforts lack direction and disease control remains ineffective. This was the core message of Prof Oriel Thekisoe’s inaugural lecture at the North-West University (NWU).

“Diagnosis is the foundation of disease control,” said Prof Thekisoe during his lecture on 6 March 2025 at the Potchefstroom Campus. “It determines the effectiveness of treatment and guides prevention strategies.”

The recent State of the Province Address (SOPA) delivered by the North West province’s Premier, Lazarus Mokgosi, sought to strike a balance between the service delivery needs of residents and the limited resources available.

This is according to Thabang Motswaledi, a political analyst and academic at the North-West University (NWU), interpreting the Premier’s maiden SOPA.

For decades Dr Masego Ezekiel “Easy” Matjila’s voice has carried the baton of the Setswana language in the hope of handing it over to the younger generation. This message came across loud and clear at a recent event at the North-West University (NWU).

On 13 March 2025, he shared his journey in Setswana broadcasting at the annual public lecture hosted by the Indigenous Language Media in Africa (ILMA) research entity at the NWU’s Mahikeng Campus.

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.