If the streets of Orange Farm could talk, it would tell of all the tears that had fallen on its red dirt: tears of hopelessness and poverty.

Are you dreaming of a career in science and technology? If so, GeeXpo 2018 is just for you! Diarise Saturday, 13 October and make sure you take part in the North-West University’s (NWU’s) largest annual science and information technology expo.

For the graduating class of 2018 the exciting world of work awaits. A world which is characterised by unmatched change, rapid technological advancements and a dire need for responsive and strategic leadership. 

Economic instability has changed the way in which companies operate. Long gone are the days when decisions were made solely with the help of forecasts and projections. Risk management has become an integral part of good management and governance.

Poverty, unemployment, poor service delivery, lack of economic growth. There are a lot to be done before we will see the African continent truly thriving. The need for interdisciplinary research has never been greater.

At first glance, Olivia Vaughan has it made. She is a successful entrepreneur, an academic scholar and an executive management member of the Golden Triangle Chamber of Commerce. The latter has been awarded the Best Business Chamber in South Africa for three consecutive years. 

Each and every one of us, as active citizens in South Africa, need to speak out about the serious lack of authentic leadership. Having said this, the challenges facing the country – such as unemployment, crime, gender-based inequalities, inadequate infrastructure and issues pertaining to land reform – can only be addressed when leaders are sufficiently equipped to take control within complex and diverse milieus.

Edward Netherlands is an inspiring researcher who is continuously challenging the boundaries of existing scientific knowledge. His most recent accolade vests him as one of the country’s most productive and innovative young male researchers.

It was the late Kofi Annan who said that the empowerment of women is the most effective tool for the development of any nation. With this in mind, members of the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Faculty of Education in Vanderbijlpark are hard at work to ensure that no young lady needs to skip class because of her period and a lack of sanitary products.

If you are interested in Local Economic Development (LED), then diarise 16 and 17 October 2018. On these days, the North-West University (NWU) will host two special lectures on the topic.