• An opinion piece by Prof. Koketso Matlakala, Prof. Hanelie Malan and Dr Lucé Pretorius

A person sits across from a social worker, struggling to articulate the confusion of the past few hours. Sometimes the crisis follows an act of violence. At other times it is the result of weeks or months of emotional strain that have gradually become unbearable. By the time individuals reach this point, they are often carrying far more than the immediate event.

Prof. Re-an Müller, deputy director of the School of Management Sciences at the North-West University (NWU), delivered a compelling public lecture at the Vaal University of Technology (VUT) as part of its 60-year celebrations.

Hosted by the Department of Marketing, Retail Business and Sport Management in the Faculty of Management Sciences, the lecture formed part of the theme “VUT beyond 60 years: inclusive sports as a catalyst for social change”.

North-West University (NWU) fundraiser Sbusiso Gwala has been elected as the new chairperson of MACE (Marketing, Advancement and Communication in Education), marking a major milestone in the higher education sector of South Africa.

Renowned for his fundraising expertise and strategic vision, this excellent fundraiser is set to lead the organisation in elevating professional standards and fostering collaboration among universities and TVET colleges nationwide.

As part of its ongoing community engagement initiatives, the bhive Enterprise Development Centre (EDC) at the Nort-West University (NWU), in collaboration with the LUSA NPO, recently supported the Gr8Start Early Childhood Development (ECD) educator capacity-building programme in Evaton.

Andiswa Msi, campus chief director of the Vanderbijlpark Campus of the North-West University (NWU), joined leaders from business, academia and international organisations at the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) for the annual Ring the Bell for Gender Equality market opening ceremony.

The event marked a global call to advance gender equality and expand women’s participation in leadership and economic decision-making.

What began in 2025 as a targeted initiative through the HIV Unit at Vaal University of Technology (VUT) has grown into a powerful example of how institutions can work together to address real student needs. On Thursday, 12 March, something simple yet deeply meaningful took place at Tsebonokeng, as partners came together to support a cause that is crucial, but often overlooked, menstrual health.

Researchers from Nicolaus Copernicus University in Poland recently visited North-West University (NWU) to strengthen an international research partnership exploring how artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming the banking sector.

The sound of machinery and the dust in the air will soon go away as the North-West University (NWU) Vanderbijlpark Campus prepares to unveil its newly constructed astro hockey field. This state-of-the-art turf signals a new era for NWU Hockey and is set to transform the institution’s sporting landscape.

Developed as part of the university’s’ ongoing commitment to the holistic development of its students, the new pitch is expected to raise the standard of competitive hockey on campus while strengthening the NWUs’ edge in university sports.

The North-West University’s (NWU’s) Vanderbijlpark Campus officially launched its highly anticipated Inter-Res Tournament, ushering in a season of competition, social awareness and strengthened student unity.

The Inter-Res League officially kicks off in the third week of March and will run until August. This year’s tournament will feature soccer, netball and e-sports, with each residence fielding teams to represent their communities.

The Vaal River – one of the most important water sources in South Africa – is currently “surviving but not thriving”, according to North-West University (NWU) researcher Prof. Wynand Malherbe, who is studying the ecological health of the river in the Vredefort Dome area.

Although the river continues to sustain aquatic life, increasing levels of pollution are placing severe pressure on the ecosystem.

The phrase “surviving but not thriving”, originally coined by a journalist from the Parys Gazette, captures the delicate state of the river, Prof. Malherbe explains.