Newsroom - Mafikeng Campus

Achieving Africa’s vision: why universities must return to serving society

By Prof Ushotanefe Useh

Universities in Africa stand at a crossroads today. While they continue to produce research, award degrees and rank in global academic listings, an uncomfortable question lingers: are they truly serving the societies that fund and sustain them? Are their graduates solving the most pressing problems of the continent, or are they simply joining the long queues of unemployed youth?

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Education, animal health, and basic services at the heart of Mandela Day outreach

In the spirit of compassion and service that defined Nelson Mandela’s legacy, the North-West University (NWU) marked Mandela Day 2025 with a series of impactful community outreach initiatives, focusing on education, animal health, and basic service delivery.

Laying the foundation through early childhood education

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Political analyst weighs in on allegations against minister of police

The allegations against the South African police minister are indeed serious and damaging, further eroding the little trust that citizens still have in institutions.

According to Thabang Motswaledi, a political analyst at the North-West University (NWU), the allegations have placed the already preoccupied Government of National Unity (GNU) under even greater strain, and put President Cyril Ramaphosa into a position where he must choose between government and party politics.

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South Africa faces a waste crisis with legal and health consequences

South Africa’s failure to manage waste properly is no longer just an environmental issue; it is a growing legal, health and human rights concern and without urgent reform, the costs will continue to mount in landfills and lives.

With nearly a third of households lacking access to formal waste removal, communities increasingly rely on open dumping, backyard burning and unregulated landfill use, exposing themselves to serious health and environmental hazards.

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Faculty of Humanities celebrates top academic performers

By Gofaone Motsamai

In a hall filled with eager students and guests, the air buzzed with anticipation as the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Faculty of Humanities prepared to host its annual Dean’s Merit Awards.

The Dean’s Merit List recognises students who achieve an average of 75% and above in all their modules. Only 138 students from the Faculty of Humanities– just 2% of the 7 000 enrolled – earned a place on the 2025 list for excelling academically in the previous year.

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North West agriculture budget grows overall but research funding declines

While an impressive R1,27 billion has been budgeted for agriculture and rural development in the North West Province for the 2025/26 financial year, the decrease in funding for research and technology services is disappointing. This is the view of Dr Kaya Myeki of the School of Agricultural Sciences at the North-West University (NWU).

Commenting on the budget delivered by Madoda Sambatha, MEC for Agriculture and Rural Development, on 24 July 2025, Dr Myeki welcomed the 5,53% increase in the agriculture and rural budget.

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Forging stronger ties to boost entrepreneurial education through STEP TTT

The North-West University (NWU) recently hosted a transformative STEP train-the-trainer (TTT) programme, further cementing its commitment to cultivating an entrepreneurial mindset among students and communities.

The week-long initiative, held at the NWU’s Mahikeng Campus, brought together educators, trainers and innovation champions to deepen their expertise in entrepreneurship facilitation and expand their collective impact.

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Training for traditional leaders combines language, custom and justice

In a powerful demonstration of language, heritage and collaboration, university language specialists have partnered with the Provincial House of Traditional and Khoisan Leaders to hold a training programme for Dikgosi (traditional leaders).

The Language Directorate of the North-West University (NWU) played a key role in the week-long programme, held in Rustenburg from 2 to 6 June for Dikgosi from across the North West Province.

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