In South Africa more than 5,7 million citizens are actively looking for employment – and it is the youth (between the ages of 15 and 24) who are facing the brunt of this socio-economic challenge.

When it comes to business strategy and development, Sazini Mojapelo needs no formal introduction. As a highly sought-after expert in the establishment, development and execution of social programmes, Sazini – who is the group head of Africa Citizenship for Barclays Africa Group Limited – is widely regarded as a pioneer in socio-economic empowerment.

The Office for Students with Special Needs on the North-West University’s (NWU’s) campus in Vanderbijlpark, or OSSN as it is better known among students, recently received a R20 000 grant from the Carl and Emily Fuchs Foundation.

It is official! The North-West University (NWU) is ranked second in the country when it comes to bodybuilding as a competitive sport.

Six football players of the North-West University’s (NWU’s) campus in Vanderbijlpark have been selected for the U/21 USSA (University Sport South Africa) football squad. This team will take part in the 2017 rendition of the SAB League Championships in Soweto.

Legendary American rapper, record producer, actor and poet Tupac Shakur once said that no matter how hard life gets, you should stick your chest out, keep your head up and handle it.Up-and-coming South African hip hop artist and NWU alumnus Unathi Abraham Mtolo (25) couldn’t agree more.

Zanele Ngobese might be the new kid on the block, but she is no stranger to the ins and outs of stakeholder relations.As the newly appointed alumni coordinator on the North-West University’s (NWU’s) campus in Vanderbijlpark, Zanele is excited about contributing towards the growth of the campus’s dynamic alumni fraternity.

“Scientific knowledge underpins our work with sportsmen and women but the critical difference comes in the application of this knowledge.”This is Lerato Maqena’s take on the importance of the science behind sport. For Lerato, a qualified sport scientist and an alumna of the North-West University’s (NWU’s) campus in Vanderbijlpark, sport represents a high-impact tool for development and a powerful agent for social change.

“More and more students are realising that they can’t simply pass their degree and find a job immediately upon graduation as was traditionally the case. Due to economic constraints and increasing competition within the formal employment sector, the so-called normal path to growing a career has been replaced by a more self focused and accountable career management process.“

The choir of the North-West University’s (NWU’s) campus in Vanderbijlpark – known as the ‘Voices of the River’ – performed exceptionally well at the recent 34^th annual SATICA Eisteddfod in Durban.