October is Transport Month in South Africa, but there is not much to celebrate as the country’s economy is paying the price for decades of underinvestment and neglect in its transport system.

Failing roads, crumbling railways and inefficient ports are costing the country billions of rands and undermining its global competitiveness, according to transport analyst Dr Olebogeng Baikgaki of the North-West University (NWU).

By Mzwandile Ndlovu

An online writing competition hosted by the Debating Union at the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Mahikeng Campus is keeping the conversation about women’s empowerment alive long after Women’s Month has ended.

The competition, themed “Accelerate action: Rights, equality, empowerment for all women and girls”, invited students to reflect on the challenges facing women and girls globally and propose solutions. The goal was to spark dialogue that could lead to practical action on campus and beyond.

By Gofaone Motsamai

Thanks to the interest and mentorship of her lecturers, North-West University (NWU) alumnus Seipelo Kgosiejang is playing a key role today in advancing South Africa’s higher education agenda on the continent and globally.

In her current role in international relations at the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET), Seipelo is responsible for developing partnerships with African and Middle Eastern countries and coordinating South Africa’s participation in major international platforms.

By Gofaone Motsamai and Phenyo Mokgothu

When aircraft take off from South Africa’s major airports, they do more than connect people with destinations, they also leave behind a growing environmental footprint. The complex relationship between aviation, tourism and climate change is the focus of a recent book chapter by Kgomotso Mereotlhe, a lecturer at the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Mahikeng Campus in the School of Tourism Management.

By: Gosego Phutieagae

A public lecture at the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Mahikeng Campus on 1 October 2025 highlighted how telecommunications and information technology are transforming financial management for small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs), both in business operations and personal finance.

By Gofaone Motsamai

On an ordinary morning at the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Mahikeng Campus, Lesego Molema follows his usual routine, attending lectures, meeting with student groups and checking on campus projects. For him, these are not separate roles but connected responsibilities that link his studies, leadership and community work. This year, his efforts have led to national recognition.

Young scientists from all over the world are putting their heads together to find sustainable water solutions for people in rural areas. One of them is North-West University (NWU) doctoral student Keaobaka Masego Mahoko, who will represent the institution at the 2025 Technical University of Denmark (DTU) Next Generation Digital Action Summit in Denmark in November.

By Gofaone Motsamai and Phenyo Mokgothu

When students from the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Mahikeng Campus gathered for the School of Physical and Chemical Sciences-in-Action event on 7 and 8 October 2025, they joined an initiative that brought academia and industry together.

Under the theme “Connecting academia and industry through science”, the two-day event created a space for students, academics and professionals to engage with organisations working across various scientific fields.

By Gofaone Motsamai and Phenyo Mokgothu

In the scientific field, learning theory and doing practical work at university provides a foundation for aspiring scientists, but developing real-world skills is what prepares students for professional environments.

South Africa’s pursuit of sustainable development remains uneven, with economic growth often taking precedence over environmental and social considerations, and while laws and policies highlight sustainability, practice tells a different story.

“Economic growth dominates the discourse,” said Dr Fredua Agyemang, a postdoctoral research fellow under the SARChI Chair: Cities, Law and Environmental Sustainability at the North-West University (NWU).

“Social sustainability is often reduced to consultation exercises, and environmental concerns are treated as secondary.”