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.

The dream of bringing the Varsity Cup home came to a heartbreaking end for the NWU Eagles on Monday, 13 April, in Pretoria after they fell 31-3 short against a seasoned FNB UP-Tuks side in a sold-out final. A defeat at the rain-soaked Tuks Stadium will always be remembered as one that sparked pride and identity for the Eagles.

Alarm bells have been ringing about how artificial intelligence (AI) will replace certain, if not most, future jobs. But this fixation on job loss may be asking the wrong question. The real issue is not whether AI will take jobs; it is about who controls AI and how it will be used.

The North-West University (NWU), through its Centre for Health Professions Education (CHPE), recently played a key role in a major continental initiative to strengthen the quality of health professions education across Africa.

While many developing countries are still in the early stages of establishing governance frameworks for Artificial Intelligence (AI), NWU master’s student Lebogang Marago is advocating for its responsible and secure use.

Born in a rural community in the Ventersdorp region, where young people face high unemployment and limited prospects, Lebogang was motivated to ask deeper questions about governance, development, inequality and policy making.

Family disputes are traumatic, especially for the young and vulnerable involved. Resolving issues such as divorce is difficult and painful. However, South Africa’s overloaded courts, delays in custody arrangements, prolonged conflict between parents and mounting legal costs mean that children are ultimately the ones who pay.