The North-West University (NWU) Water Research Group (WRG) hosted its annual Life Below Water outreach event on Saturday, 11 April 2026, drawing 120 children to the Lekwena Wildlife Estate for a morning of hands-on learning focused on aquatic ecosystems and environmental awareness.

According to North-West University (NWU) principal and vice-chancellor Prof. Bismark Tyobeka higher education institutions have a role to play in supporting governance reform at local municipalities - many of which are in disarray.

“Universities can contribute to the rehabilitation of local government through research, skills development and evidence-based policy input,” he said during a public lecture by Dr Ben Bole, head of the Department for North West Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) on13 April.

The North-West University (NWU) will roll out a new mental-health support system this month, bringing a national crisis network onto its campuses as demand for student support continues to rise.

The university has partnered with the South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG) to provide counselling, crisis intervention and support services to all registered students.

• Severe teacher shortages, with tens of thousands of vacant posts, are destroying learning conditions.
• “Learners are being left defenceless in places meant to protect and nurture them.” – Dr Marelize Vergottini.
• “Without dedicated psychosocial support, these conditions will continue to hinder learning and jeopardise children’s futures.” – Dr Vergottini.

The Dusi Canoe Marathon is not for the faint-hearted. Known as one of South Africa’s toughest endurance races, it pushes paddlers to their limits with punishing portages, technical rapids, and the relentless heat of the valley. For North-West University (NWU) students Craig Cribbins and Ethan Kleu, the 2026 Dusi was more than just a race. It was a test of character, resilience, and heart.

At the North-West University (NWU), research is more than publishing, it is about transforming lives. This is the vision driving a team at the Centre for Human Metabolomics (CHM), where scientists developed a nanostar-based reagent that could revolutionise how rare diseases such as galactosemia are detected. The reagent promises significant advantages over conventional spherical gold nanoparticles, and demonstrates high sensitivity detection in biosensors, colorimetric assays, surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) and molecular diagnostics.

• By Prof. Joseph Sekhampu, chief director of the NWU Business School

In communities across the country, frustration is quietly building. What begins as a missed service or delayed response often grows into something deeper, a sense that the system meant to serve the people is no longer working for them. The failures of local government are no longer distant policy concerns or abstract debates. They are lived, daily realities, and for many, it is not just about the lack of services but about a loss of trust.

Prof. Pieter Kruger, director at the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Centre for Health and Human Performance, opened his national cycling campaign with outstanding results in sprint and endurance events at the South African Track Cycling Championships. The event took place from 1 to 6 April 2026 at the Bellville Velodrome in Cape Town.

Prof. Kruger won gold in the 3 000 m Individual Pursuit, the 10 km Scratch Race and the 750 m Sprint Time Trial. His winning margin in the 750 m event was 0,3 seconds. He also took silver in the 1 500 m Individual Pursuit on the opening day.

• “As a country, we can only succeed if we adhere to the principles of transparency and accountability. Accounting professionals are the counterbalance to corruption.” – Prof. Bismark Tyobeka, Principal and Vice-Chancellor.
• “It is our duty to ensure that we deliver enough accounting professionals of the highest quality, with the ethical and leadership frameworks to stem the tide of corruption.” – Prof. Tyobeka.