South Africa's voter turnout has been falling for more than two decades, even as the country's electoral system was designed to broaden political participation. New research by Dr Naledi Modise, Political Science and International Relations lecturer at the North-West University (NWU), suggests that the decline is not only a matter of voter attitudes, but also a consequence of how the country's electoral institutions function

The North-West University (NWU) held its yearly conference about good teaching and learning practices at the Emerald Hotel in Vanderbijlpark on 26 and 27 May 2026.

The main theme was "Rethinking Teaching, Learning, and Assessment: Helping Students Succeed in the Digital Age”. This event gathered academia, educators and learning experts to look at new ways to teach in universities.

The North-West University (NWU) has strengthened its contribution to South Africa’s multilingualism agenda with three university-affiliated language experts now serving on the National Task Team Towards a Unified National Language Action Plan.

South Africa's most recent employment statistics present a dismal image in a nation where millions of people wake up every morning yearning for a chance to work.

The official unemployment rate has increased to 32.7%, according to the most recent Quarterly Labour Force Survey (QLFS) for the first quarter of 2026. This means that almost one in three South Africans who are economically active are unemployed. Approximately 8.1 million people are unemployed overall, and the expanded unemployment rate which takes discouraged job seekers into account has risen to an alarming 43.7%.

When the NWU Eagles team from the NWU Soccer Institute arrived in Mthatha for the 2026 ABC Motsepe League National Playoffs, the mission was clear. Four matches stood between the North West champions and a place in professional football.

On Saturday afternoon, that mission became reality.

The NWU defeated KwaZulu-Natal champions Mkhambathi FC 2-1 in a tense semi-final to secure promotion to the Motsepe Foundation Championship and book a place in the national final.

The NWU Eagles from the NWU Soccer Institute secured a place in the semifinals of the 2026 ABC Motsepe League National Playoffs after defeating Gauteng champions La Masia 3–2 in a decisive Group A encounter in Mthatha on Wednesday.

The victory saw the NWU finish level on four points with Mpumalanga champions Luthuli Brigades, but the Eagles progressed to the knockout stage at the top of the group on goal difference.

“A memorandum of understanding is more than a document; it is a commitment to action, accountability and shared purpose.”

Today's signatures represent a collective commitment to building a stronger, more responsive post-school education sector.”

These sentiments set the tone as the North-West University (NWU) and Vuselela TVET College signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), marking a significant milestone in strengthening collaboration in skills development, research and innovation, and student development.

The North-West University (NWU) connected thousands of students with employers during a series of career fairs across its Mahikeng, Potchefstroom and Vanderbijlpark campuses in May 2026.

Organised by the Career Services and Alumni Relations office, the fairs gave students direct access to employers, career guidance and valuable networking opportunities. Students explored internships, vacation work, graduate programmes and employment opportunities while gaining first-hand insight into workplace expectations.

At a recent Prestige Lecture hosted on the Potchefstroom Campus, researchers, students and the NWU community were challenged to rethink what it means to fight for the environment and the people who depend on it the most.