North-West University (NWU) academic Prof Moses Phooko has lauded the National Assembly’s approval of South African Sign Language as the 12th official language on 2 May 2023.

The South African Constitution previously provided for 11 official languages, which include Sepedi, Sesotho, Setswana, siSwati, Tshivenda, Xitsonga, Afrikaans, English, isiNdebele, isiXhosa, and isiZulu.

The adoption of this amendment brings the number of official languages in South Africa to 12, once the President signs the Bill into law.

Article by Nolwazi Xulu and Menziwa Msibi

The Faculty of Health Sciences at the North-West University (NWU), together with the subject groups Biochemistry and Physiology, the Lifestyle Diseases research niche area, and the Mahikeng Campus Health Centre hosted a diabetes drive on 10 May 2023 to raise awareness about preventing and managing diabetes mellitus.

This drive forms part of an inter-faculty registered community engagement project.

For centuries small-scale livestock farmers have been relying on plants to ensure the health of their animals, knowledge which could benefit veterinary science.

The North-West University’s (NWU’s) ballroom and Latin dance team on the Mahikeng Campus secured no less than 24 trophies and 14 medals in the South African Dance Federation Championship Super Series that took place at the Springs Civic Centre in Gauteng on 22 April.

More than 30 well-established dance teams participated in the competition, representing community dance studios, as well as university and school teams. Ten couples competed in the Bronze, Silver, Gold Star, Rising Star, and Championship sections of the tournament.

By Menziwa Msibi

On 5 May 2023 students from the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Mahikeng Campus showed their hearts are in the right place when they reached out to help fellow students in need with their Feed a Student campaign.

The food was donated to a Meal-A-Day project.

This campaign supplements the Meal-A-Day project run across all three of the NWU’s campuses, which gives needy students a month’s supply of essentials, including clothing and toiletries sponsored by Tiger Brands.

By Mafumane Tlhapi and Menziwa Msibi

Three female alumni of the North-West University (NWU) and former university team boxers – Onalenna Tsae, Goitseone Kgopiso, and Keamogetse Lesole – opened the SK Boxing Academy in 2022 to develop and promote the sport in their community.

The academy, strictly owned and run by women, currently has two branches – one in Uitkyk Village and the other in Mmabatho.

A North-West University (NWU) senior lecturer in the subject group Psychology, Dr Petro Erasmus, developed and designed the mathematics programme Whartels™ – which is exclusively used in Let’s Really Play Maths Centres – to help foundation phase learners excel in maths.

This programme was recently launched at the Technology Innovation Agency (TIA) in Pretoria.

Her innovative programme focuses on developing both cognitive and neuro-psychological facets to help children improve their maths skills.

North-West University (NWU) student Oscar Mosenogi, who has been selected as one of the World Changers Candidates Ambassadors, was given the opportunity to speak at the Best Diplomats Conference that took place in Thailand.

This conference was organised by Best Diplomats, a New York-based international organisation focusing on training and crafting future diplomats through diplomatic simulations. Supported by the United Nations, it serves as a platform for young leaders and change-makers to exchange ideas and find solutions to the world's most pressing issues.

The North-West University (NWU) is celebrating the recent announcement that one of their football players, Heaven Prince Julius Sereetsi, has been named the best player of the North West ABC Motsepe league.

Heaven, an NWU Soccer Institute attacking winger, has been recognised for his outstanding performances throughout the league season. He has been a key player in the NWU team, contributing to their success in the league and helping them secure a place in the playoffs.