The North-West University (NWU), through its Technology Transfer and Innovation Support (TTIS) office, showcased its growing innovation impact at the inaugural South Africa Innovation Week (SAIW), held from 16 to 20 March 2026 at the NASREC Expo Centre in Johannesburg.

Organised through a partnership between the Technology Innovation Agency (TIA) and the South African Innovation Summit (SAIS), the event brought together the government, industry leaders, investors and innovators to advance collaboration and drive South Africa’s innovation agenda.

Recognition for academic and community impact has placed the North-West University (NWU) in focus after one of its academics and two alumni were named among Inside Education’s 100 South African Shining Stars.

Dr Benjamin Rapanyane, a senior lecturer in political science at the NWU, was selected for his contribution to education in disadvantaged communities and his academic work in African political studies.

By Gosego Phutieagae

In a remarkable rise, the North-West University (NWU) ladies cricket team has exceeded expectations, securing promotion to the Premier A division after being crowned the North West Women’s Premier B Champions for the 2025/26 season. This demonstrates the power of resilience and the effectiveness of the NWU’s growing investment in women’s sport.

The spirit of International Women’s Day came alive at the Vanderbijlpark campus of the North-West University (NWU) on 26 March 2026, as leaders, scholars, and students gathered under the theme “Give to Gain: Advancing Rights, Justice, and Empowerment for Women and Girls in Africa: Gofa kego Atlega’’.

Anchored in the global call of “Rights. Justice. Action. for ALL Women and Girls,” the conference challenged participants to move beyond reflection towards meaningful, collective action.

The South African Canoe Polo Championships took centre stage, from 27 February to 1 March, in Century City, Cape Town bringing together top paddlers from across the country for a weekend of fast-paced, high-intensity action.

Torrential rains and flash floods that have claimed dozens of lives in Kenya and displaced more than 30 000 people have renewed debate among scientists and disaster-risk experts about the growing impact of climate change and the need for stronger preparedness systems across Africa.

The North-West University (NWU) positioned higher education as a driver of global cooperation as leaders from government, academia and the diplomatic community gathered to mark the 29th International Day of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) at its Mahikeng Campus on 27 March 2026.

The event, held in partnership with the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO), brought together stakeholders from across the Indian Ocean region, including diplomats and ambassadors from member states and dialogue partners.

The University of Zululand recently played host to a dynamic and impactful two-day Corpus Creation and Linguistic Text Processing Tools Workshop, held at its KwaDlangezwa campus on 17 and 18 March 2026.

The nuclear sector remains an important economic growth driver that can support job creation, skills development and industrial expansion in South Africa, according to North-West University (NWU) principal and vice-chancellor Prof. Mzubanzi Bismark Tyobeka.

Speaking at the NWU Nuclear Alumni Engagement held on 19 March 2026 in Sandton, Prof .Tyobeka said nuclear development should be viewed as part of the country’s broader economic strategy as the sector contributes to electricity generation, research, manufacturing and specialised training.