Soprano Thando Mabuza, an honours degree music student at the North-West University (NWU), has received a scholarship to further her studies at the Musikhochschule Lübeck in Germany, following her participation in the Vocal Masterclass and Scholarship Scheme with Martin Hundelt.

“When I received the news, I could not believe it, because during the masterclass everyone was so prepared,” said Thando. “I was excited, and I scared my family with my screams.”

The vice-chancellor of the North-West University (NWU), Prof. Mzubanzi Bismark Tyobeka, is representing the university at the 2026 Investing in African Mining Indaba, taking place from 9 to 12 February at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC).

The North-West University (NWU) has taken a bold step forward in its sustainability journey with the unveiling of its first Reverse Vending Machine (RVM). The launch, held at the NWU Student Centre (SS), marked a proud moment for the institution and its commitment to environmental responsibility.

Technology Transfer and Innovation Support (TTIS) hosted a high-level engagement focused on testing an institutional capability framework (ICF) being developed by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). The ICF provides a structured way for institutions to understand their capability for knowledge and technology transfer (K/TT). The framework is meant to encourage institutions to reflect on how formal decisions, lived experience and observed outcomes align in practice, rather than measuring performance through rankings or compliance-driven assessments.

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

It’s been 30 years since the New Zealand All Blacks last toured South Africa for a traditional rugby test series, but 2026 will see the old foes meet for three tests in the Republic and one abroad.

For rugby fans at home and in the Land of the Long White Cloud, The Greatest Rivalry Tour – which includes provincial matches between the All Blacks and the Stormers, Sharks, Bulls and Lions – is the stuff dreams are made of.

The North-West University (NWU) recently hosted the deputy minister of Higher Education and Training, Dr Mimmy Gondwe, and officials from the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET), along with representatives from the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS), as part of a national assessment of the readiness of universities for the 2026 academic year.

Today, the North-West University (NWU) and JB Marks Local Municipality held a strategic engagement aimed at deepening cooperation and advancing shared developmental priorities within the municipal area.

The meeting, hosted at the NWU Potchefstroom Campus, brought together senior leadership from both institutions to reflect on existing collaborations and to chart a forward-looking programme of action that responds to the social and economic needs of local communities.

Ahead of the opening of the 2026 academic year, Higher Education and Training Minister Buti Manamela led a high-level oversight visit to the North-West University. Joined by Waseem Carrim, the acting chief executive of the National Student Financial Aid Scheme and senior Department of Higher Education officials, the minister assessed infrastructure, student accommodation, funding systems and campus safety.

The 4 to 2 majority decision by the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) on 29 January to pause its interest rate easing cycle and leave the repo rate unchanged for now was widely expected.

Prof. Raymond Parsons, economist from the North-West University (NWU) Business School, says the MPC majority view provided a plausible case as to why it was considered necessary to further entrench inflationary expectations amid ongoing global uncertainty before making a further cut in borrowing costs for businesses and consumers.