By Ontiretse Motingwa

North-West University (NWU) graduate Siphiwe Ncube from Lonely Park in Mahikeng has chosen to not only focus on using her qualification to better her life, but also to knock an all doors that could possibly open to better opportunities.

During her final year in 2021, Siphiwe got a job at a lodge to make extra money, since she was studying remotely during the pandemic. Soon thereafter she joined the Department of Agriculture in Zeerust as a general assistant.

North-West University (NWU) academic Prof Olubukola Oluranti Babalola was elected a fellow of the Nigerian Academy of Science (NAS) during its annual general meeting earlier this year.

She was formally inducted as fellow, along with 10 international distinguished scientists on 12 May 2022.

The NAS fellow induction is one of the highest honours of the academy, and each fellow receives a certificate and gold medal.

Kgame Molope, a programme leader in the subject group Political Studies and International Relations on the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Mahikeng Campus, was recently elected to serve a two-year term as chairperson of the group of South African academics representing the country in the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA).

Before his election, Kgame served as the co-chair of the Trade and Investment Facilitation sub-group of the South African Indian Ocean Rim Academic Group (SA IORAG).

World-renowned poet and writer Audre Lorde held that poetry is not only a dream and vision; it is the skeleton architecture of our lives. It lays the foundations for a future of change, a bridge across our fears of what has never been before.

No one understands and resonates more with this saying than Dr Kezell McCarthy-Klinck, North-West University (NWU) lecturer, researcher, supervisor, mentor and poet.

North-West University (NWU) master’s student Obriel Maposa has been awarded a Golden Key Humanitarian / Service Response Award.

This award is presented to Golden Key International Honour Society members who display an exceptional commitment to service.

Obriel is among nine Southern African category winners who received Golden Key International Honour Society Awards.

Obriel says Golden Key members are invited to apply for the various award categories, thereby affording them the opportunity to win the relevant award and accompanying cash prizes.

Over the past week the State of Nebraska in the United States of America (USA) has been engulfed in wide spread protest action over its highest courts’ anticipated appeal judgment. This decision will, once in effect, overturn its 1973 landmark judgment affording women the right to choose to legally terminate pregnancies. 

North-West University (NWU) academic and researcher Itumeleng Dinku says South Africa’s Choice on Termination of Pregnancy (CTOP) Act of 1996 was a monumental step towards in protecting the right to reproductive autonomy.

On 4 May 2022 a delegation from the Sasol Foundation visited the subject group Chemistry on the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Mahikeng Campus.

The North-West University’s (NWU’s) School of Management Sciences will be hosting a community engagement workshop on 22 and 23 June 2022 at its Mahikeng Campus.

The aim of this workshop is to encourage and empower staff members to participate more effectively in community engagements projects.

President Cyril Ramaphosa recently signed into effect three anti gender-based violence bills that will afford victims more protection.

These amendments will, among other things, allow victims to apply for protection orders online without having to appear in court, and will require all sexual offenders to be placed on a national registry.

The Criminal and Related Matters Amendment Bill, Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Related Matters) Amendment Bill, and Domestic Violence Amendment Bill were all signed into law.

Ontiretse Motingwa

North-West University (NWU) Prof Olubukola Oluranti Babalola recently shared her expertise by editing the book, Food Security and Safety: African Perspectives, published by Springer, Cham.