Newsroom - Mafikeng Campus

PhD candidate and Mrs South Africa semi-finalist inspiring change

By Gofaone Motsamai

Bontle Manana, a 34-year-old industrial psychologist and PhD candidate at the Mahikeng Campus of the North-West University (NWU), is breaking barriers and inspiring women across South Africa.

Hailing from Phola Village in Mahikeng, she recently achieved the prestigious milestone of being named a Mrs South Africa semi-finalist.

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NWUFM presenter rules the province’s airwaves

A familiar voice, Mogomotsi "Peculiar" Ntehalang, a final-year communication student on the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Mahikeng Campus, walked off with the coveted Radio Presenter of the Year Award at the 2024 North West Media Awards in December.

Peculiar has been hosting the NWUFM Maftown Drive show on weekdays from 15:00 to 18:00 since from 2022. The programme features segments such as Ispan Iplan, which provides job insights, and Flash of Thought, which focuses on controversial discussions and factual information for listeners.

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Saying goodbye after 42 years of service

When Eugenia March entered the Information Technology (IT) department as telephone coordinator and later as administration secretary at the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Mahikeng Campus 42 years ago, it was a very different environment she recently retired from.

She joined the NWU in 1982 and has played a vital role in the department’s operations over the years, witnessing changes within the university and adapting to evolving processes and technologies.

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Alumnus reappointed to the National Indigenous Knowledge panel

South African indigenous knowledge is precious, and few people are better qualified than North-West University (NWU) alumnus, Dr Thulisile Bhuda, to contribute to preserving it.

This explains why Dr Bhuda has been reappointed to the Indigenous Knowledge / Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) National Authentication Panel.

She will serve on the panel until 2027, following her initial appointment in 2021.

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How global financial cycles shape South Africa’s economy

By Tiyiselani Precious Miyambu

Global financial conditions have a significant effect on the stability of the South African economy, according to a recent study by two researchers from the North-West University (NWU).

In their study on the influence of global financial cycles on South Africa’s financial cycle, Prof Precious Mncayi Makhanya and Khwazi Magubane from the School of Economic Sciences on the NWU’s Vanderbijlpark campus, examined the impact of global capital flows, asset prices and investor risk sentiment.

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Expert unpacks the hidden costs of rising electricity tariffs

By: Gofaone Motsamai

The recent approval by the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA) of a 12,7% electricity tariff increase for the 2025/26 financial year has raised serious concerns about its implications for household budgets, business operations and socio-political stability.

Mpho Lenoke, an economics lecturer at the Mahikeng Campus of the North-West University (NWU), provides expert insights into how this significant rise will impact various aspects of South African life.

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Trump’s pause on foreign aid upsets global health programmes

United States President Donald Trump’s pause in his country’s foreign aid is being felt on the campuses of the North-West University (NWU).

The Health Care Centre and HIV/Aids Office on the NWU’s Mahikeng Campus have received notification from Shout-it-Now, the non-governmental organisation providing youth-centred sexual reproductive health services and support, of the suspension of all their services, posing a challenge for students and employees alike.

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Study examines herbicide in South Africa’s environment

By Tiyiselani Precious Miyambu

Researchers from the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Unit of Environmental Sciences and Management conducted a study on the presence of a widely used herbicide – glyphosate – and its byproduct, AMPA, in South Africa’s water, soil and sediment.

Glyphosate, a key ingredient in many weed-control products, is essential in modern agriculture, particularly in the production of crops like maize and soybeans.

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Bridging language gaps on African Radio

By: Gofaone Motsamai

The rich linguistic diversity in Africa has always posed challenges and opportunities for the media, particularly for radio. A new book, Reconceptualising Multilingualism on African Radio, seeks to redefine multilingualism on African radio broadcasting by proffering epistemological ways to solve the African language problem.

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