• Hunters, especially international hunters, believe that they benefit local communities.

• International hunters spend up to four times more per visit than local hunters.

• International hunters perceive their impact to be greater than local hunters.

• The perspective of the local community is still missing.

The North-West University (NWU) continues to shine in international rankings. The latest Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings by Subject place four of the NWU’s subject groups in the top 850 globally, with one of these featuring in the 301 to 350 ranking category. The subject groups are agriculture, environmental sciences, physics and medicine. QS published these rankings on 12 March 2025.

The revised Budget statement presented to Parliament by Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana on 12 March, proposing a new fiscal mix of spending, borrowing and taxing as a response to the previous opposition to the 2% rise in VAT proposed in the original Budget, diverges to some extent from the parameters outlined in the original Budget.

The North-West University (NWU) Young Guns put on a strong show in their Varsity Cup Young Guns clash against Stellenbosch University (Maties) on Monday 10 March, securing a hard-fought 33-31 victory to climb to the top of Group A.

Both teams were level on nine points going into the game, setting the stage for a crucial encounter. The atmosphere at the Fanie Du Toit Sports Grounds was electric, with the passionate NWU supporters creating a stimulating environment.

Prof Conroy Cupido’s musical journey has been nothing short of extraordinary, and his latest triumph at the kykNET Fiesta awards – often dubbed the "Oscars" of South Africa's arts festivals – in 2025 is another feather in his already illustrious cap.

The North-West University (NWU) Business School has established a formidable foundation and inaugurated the PhD Hub for Africa, a pioneering initiative aimed at nurturing doctoral talent and enhancing supervisory expertise throughout the continent. The PhD Hub was officially launched on Monday, 10 March 2025, during the International Conference on Green and Sustainable Development held at the Kigali Serena Hotel in Rwanda.

After recent developments, impactful leadership in nutrition is needed now more than ever. The United Nations (UN) Decade of Action on Nutrition* ends this year and USAID funding to Africa and other developing countries has come to an abrupt halt.

The North-West University (NWU) Young Guns (YGs) will lock horns with the Stellenbosch YGs in a showdown third-round Varsity Cup Young Guns clash at the Fanie Du Toit Sports Grounds on Monday, 10 March. With both teams boasting a 100%-win record so far, this encounter promises to be a fierce battle with only one team able to continue their perfect winning streak.

Team form and Stats

The North-West University (NWU) Young Guns (YGs) are proving why they are the reigning champions, kicking off their title defence with back-to-back wins.

After an outstanding campaign last season, the Eagles soared into the new campaign with a nail-biting 36-33 win over the University of Pretoria (Tuks) YGs at the Fanie Du Toit Sports Grounds on Monday 24 February. Their ability to withstand the pressure speaks volumes about their preparation and hunger to retain their title.

By Gofaone Motsamai and Oscar Mosiane

The North-West University (NWU), in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD), has established an agri-hub to advance agricultural development in North West.

This initiative represents a substantial progression in addressing critical issues such as food security, economic growth and agricultural sustainability in the province. The hub was launched at the university's Molelwane Farm on Monday, 3 March 2025.