Correctional Services Minister, Dr Pieter Groenewald, recently stated his intention to deport foreign criminals in South African jails back to their countries of origin. The Minister said that about 26 000 foreigners are either serving sentences in South African prisons or are awaiting sentencing. This places a massive burden on taxpayers, equating to R463 per day for each incarcerated foreigner, or around R11 million per year. With a target set for 2026, Minister Groenewald also acknowledged that a number of legal constraints must be addressed before the deportation process can begin.

In a world where innovation meets wellbeing, Chantel Muller is proving that the two can powerfully coexist. A published author and senior lecturer in marketing research and sports marketing at the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Vanderbijlpark Campus, Chantel is redefining how technology can transform health — and she’s doing it from right here at the NWU.

Neighbours share more than fences, and neighbouring countries more than borders. This is especially true for the relationship between South Africa and Botswana. In the theatre of southern African politics, South Africa and Botswana share more than just a 2 000 km border: they share intertwined fates.

The North-West University’s (NWU’s) third annual Vice-Chancellor’s Science Day on 6 August in Kuruman once again brought science out of the laboratory and into the community.

Kicking off the proceedings, NWU astrophysicist Prof Thebe Rodney Medupe led teachers and learners from local schools in a stargazing workshop.

North-West University (NWU) academics Prof Kgaugelo Lekota from the School of Biological Sciences and Prof Lebo Gafane-Matemane from the Hypertension in Africa Research Team (HART) were recipients of Research Excellence Awards for Early Career/Emerging Researchers at the 2025 National Research Foundation (NRF) Awards.

The North-West University (NWU) left it until the 89th minute to earn a valuable away draw against the University of Johannesburg (UJ) in the opening round of the 2025 Varsity Football season.

Playing under chilly skies in front of a packed UJ Stadium on 7 August 2025, the home side struck early. UJ’s Thabo Moshikere tapped in from close range after a well-placed free kick was headed into his path by Yasidu Lifa. The early goal gave UJ the momentum as they went into halftime leading 1-0.

South Africa's bold economic reform initiative, Operation Vulindlela (OV), is gaining momentum as it enters its second phase. Government officials are promoting significant progress in tackling the deep-rooted issues holding back the country’s economy.

The programme focuses on improving key services like electricity, water, transport, and digital communications, essential building blocks for a strong economy.

Taxonomic immortality can take many forms. For Prof Louis du Preez of North-West University (NWU), it comes with a twist of humour and a splash of irony: a newly discovered parasite, Latergator louisdupreezi, now bears his name.

The Technology Transfer and Innovation Support (TTIS) office at the North-West University (NWU) recently hosted its first-ever SHAPE innovation impact events across all three campuses. These sessions occurred on 24 July in Potchefstroom, 25 July in Vanderbijlpark, and 28 July in Mahikeng.

Researchers from the faculties of Humanities, Education and Economic and Management Sciences assembled to explore ways to transform SHAPE research into high-impact projects for communities.

The STEM education specialist behind Renewable Rangers, a digital educational game designed for children aged 4 to 6, has been selected as one of South Africa’s Forty Under 40 leaders for 2025 in the Education category.

Dr Moleboheng Mokhele-Ramulumo is a senior lecturer in the Faculty of Education and a member of the Research Unit for Self-Directed Learning at the North-West University (NWU). The official Forty Under 40 awards ceremony will be held on 18 October 2025 at the Marriott Hotel in Johannesburg.