Africa is facing a challenge in ensuring food security due to contamination of agricultural products by toxic fungi and their byproducts, mycotoxins, amid climate change.

This is according to Prof Mulunda Mwanza, who delivered his inaugural lecture at the North-West University (NWU) on 6 June 2024.

"Mycotoxins are toxic compounds produced by fungi such as Aspergillus, Fusarium, and Penicillium, which infect staple crops including maize, peanuts, wheat, rice and various tree nuts,” he explained.

The North-West University’s (NWU’s) Mathlogonolo Bodibe’s fancy footwork and passion for dance recently took her to the international stage.

Mathlogonolo, a second-year BA communication student, participated in the annual DanceStar World Dance Masters competition that took place from 20 to 26 May in Croatia

Her dedication paid off and she achieved notable placements: she came seventh out of 20 competitors in the solo category and was third in the open formation category.

The North-West University (NWU) made a significant mark at the North West Provincial Nursing Awards held on 23 May 2024 at the Sun City Convention Centre.

The event, organised by the North West Department of Health, recognised outstanding contributions and excellence in the nursing profession. These awards also show appreciation for the dedication and selflessness of nurses in the province, and motivate them to uphold and improve the standards of nursing education and practice in the North West province.

North-West University (NWU) student Rahama Metroll Milanzi has been selected as a semi-finalist for Miss World South Africa 2024. If she wins the title, she will represent South Africa in the global Miss World 2024 pageant, competing against more than 100 contestants from around the world.

The North-West University's (NWU’s) People and Culture division held an engagement session for its Women in Leadership initiative on 17 May 2024 at the Mahikeng Campus.

This session marks the first of three across the NWU’s campuses, following the programme's launch in 2023. The aim is to empowering female staff through professional development and extensive training opportunities.

Omphile Makhobosi and Palesa Mphela, members of the North-West University’s (NWU’s) dance team on the Mahikeng Campus, have been selected to represent South Africa at the 2024 World Dance Sport Federation (WDSF) World Championship’s Latin Under-21 competition. The prestigious event will take place on 16 November 2024 in Salaspils, Latvia.

Prince Gontse Motaung, their head coach and manager, has also been selected as national coach and manager, and he will manage and coach the couple.

Moses Phiri, widely known as DJ 10111, graduated with a PhD in statistics from the North-West University (NWU) on 22 May 2024.

He is the second DJ to achieve this academic milestone at the NWU, following DJ HK who earned a PhD in geography in 2022.

Born and raised in Mahikeng, he completed his bachelor’s degree in statistics in 2009 and his honours degree (cum laude) in 2010. His pursuit of education continued at the Gordon Institute of Business Science, where he completed a postgraduate diploma in general management in 2018 and an MBA in strategic leadership in 2020.

Moses Radebe, a two-time world Morganti Ju-Jitsu and a five-time national Ju-Jitsu champion, graduated with a PhD in radiation science at the North-West University (NWU) on 20 May 2024.

Moses also holds a BSc in computer science and physics, and a BScHons and MSc in applied radiation science.

His PhD thesis was on “The design, construction, and validation of a radon chamber for the calibration of radon monitors at the North-West University, South Africa”.

On 15 May 2024 a delegation from Infrastructure South Africa (ISA), a programme within the Ministry of Public Works and Infrastructure, visited the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Mahikeng Campus to showcase the progress made with the 1 738-bed multi-funded student housing complex that was completed in 2022.

Prof Philip du Toit and Prof Alfred Brunsdon from the Faculty of Theology at North-West University’s (NWU’s) Mahikeng Campus have lent an experienced hand in editing the book The Theological Perspective on Reimagining Leadership in Post-COVID Africa.

Prof Du Toit specialises in New Testament theology, while Prof Brunsdon focuses on practical theology. Both scholars are deeply engaged with the leadership challenges specific to the African context through their work.