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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Mainstream radio combined with social media can do more to preserve South African indigenous languages than either can on their own

A recent study by North-West University (NWU) master’s graduate Gofaone Motsamai explores how Motsweding FM radio is using Facebook to promote Setswana through podcasts and live streams.

“Motsweding FM is not just broadcasting, it’s preserving,” says Gofaone. “Through Facebook, the station connects Setswana speakers across borders, offering accessible and engaging content that supports linguistic and cultural continuity.”

The recent announcement by Cameroon’s 92-year-old President, Paul Biya, that he will seek re-election has reignited debates around prolonged leadership in Africa. Biya, who has been in office for 43 years, would be nearing 100 should he complete another term, making him one of the oldest and longest-serving leaders on the continent.

North-West University (NWU) academic Thabang Motswaledi from the School of Government Studies says Biya’s announcement reflects a larger governance issue in Africa.

By Gofaone Motsamai

There is more to being a spokesperson than issuing press statements; it is a role that demands speed, the ability to manage crises under pressure and, above all, honesty and integrity. This was the core message shared by North-West University (NWU) communications alumni at a seminar hosted by the university.

Cardiovascular diseases remain among the world’s leading killers, but everyday foods like rooibos tea and broccoli may hold the key to protecting the heart, according to new research from the North-West University (NWU).

This was the core finding of the PhD study of Dr Sinenhlanhla Xoliswa Happiness Mthembu, who explored plant-based compounds that could help counter heart damage caused by metabolic disorders.

Languages clash, blend and connect users across the North-West University (NWU) Mahikeng Campus Updates Facebook Group, revealing how multilingualism drives communication in a digital student space.

Ontiretse Motingwa, an NWU graduate, led a study that examined how language choice, ethnicity and power relationships influence communication patterns on the NWU Mahikeng Campus Updates Facebook Group. The group, moderated by NWU students, functions as a platform where members post, comment and engage in various languages, including indigenous ones.