At the North-West University (NWU), the Library and Information Service team recently took a break from books and databases to enjoy something a little more personal and playful — a series of sip-and-sketch sessions that brought together creativity and conversation.

Hosted on each of the NWU’s three campuses, the sessions started in Potchefstroom, moved on to Vanderbijlpark, and concluded in Mahikeng. Although traditional paintbrushes were nowhere to be found, participants fully embraced the moment with sketchpads, snacks and lots of laughter.

By Gofaone Motsamai

South Africa’s beloved Madiba was a member of the law fraternity, so it was fitting that in honour of Mandela Day, law students and lecturers from North-West University (NWU) engaged with Grade 12 learners on the role of law in society.

On 28 July 2025, the Faculty of Law at the NWU’s Mahikeng Campus offered learners from Living Faith Independent Combined School insights on the impact of law of people’s lives and what to expect when transitioning from high school to university.

With the 2025 Varsity Football tournament set to kick off on 7 August, the men’s team from North-West University (NWU) say they are mentally and physically prepared for another competitive campaign.

Head coach of the NWU Soccer Institute, Nkululeko Malgas, says the team is entering the season with a solid foundation and the benefit of experience. “They are in the right mental space, having retained almost 70% of the players from the 2024 season. They know exactly what is at stake,” he says.

When healthcare staff at the Klerksdorp/Tshepong Hospital complex voiced a heartfelt need for debriefing and support, Dr Khumo Shopo, deputy director of the School of Nursing at the North-West University (NWU) and hospital board member, listened.

Her response set in motion an inspiring initiative: the Presence workshops, an initiative of the Presence team of the School of Nursing and the NuMIQ research focus area, designed to nurture well-being and relational caring among hospital staff, and now making waves across North West.

Prof Welma Lubbe from the Quality in Nursing and Midwifery (NuMIQ) research focus area at the North-West University (NWU) has been appointed as the nursing representative on the global committee for the Newborn Brain Society.

Prof Lubbe, who is the director of NuMIQ and focuses her research on neonatal care in the Faculty of Health Sciences, will represent the nursing profession in an international forum focused on newborn brain health.

On Wednesday, 30 July, the North-West University (NWU) conferred an honorary doctorate on Professor Sir Hilary McDonald Beckles, a distinguished Caribbean historian and vice-chancellor of the University of the West Indies (UWI). The award recognises Sir Hilary’s formidable academic contributions and his global advocacy for social justice. On the evening before the ceremony, he delivered a public lecture titled From Durban to Accra: Rise of the Global Reparations Movement.

In order to enhance healthcare throughout Africa, it is crucial to equip frontline healthcare workers with the necessary tools and confidence to drive change. However, their hard work often goes unnoticed and unappreciated.

On Thursday, 24 July, the 2025 Leopards Lair® Student Pitching event showcased a vibrant celebration of innovative ideas. Held at the D’Vine VenU on the Potchefstroom Campus, the event highlighted exceptional student talent across two categories: Side Hustles and Research-Based Ventures.

TTIS and the bhive Enterprise Development Centre collaborated to host an event that brought together a panel of esteemed judges, industry professionals, staff, and students, creating an atmosphere of ambition and creativity.

The high calibre of postgraduate research at the North-West University (NWU) has been nationally recognised. Seven NWU students were awarded top honours at the South African Institute of Physics (SAIP) annual conference, the country’s leading platform for physics scholars.

The awards span three fields: space science, astrophysics and condensed matter physics. Six students from the NWU’s Centre for Space Research (CSR) and one student from the Physics subject group walked away with the spoils.

Tanya Lerm never imagined herself in the aerospace sector. But nearly seven years after joining NewSpace Systems, she now leads it.

“Stepping into the role of CEO at NewSpace Systems has been one of the most significant moments of my career, both professionally and personally,” said Tanya, who holds a Bachelor of Engineering degree in Metallurgical Engineering from the North-West University (NWU). “It is a company I have grown with, a team I believe in, and an industry that never stops pushing boundaries.”