The better-than-expected headline inflation of 3% in February is welcome, but has now already been overtaken by a highly negative inflationary outlook.

In commenting on this easing in the CPI from 3,5% in January, Prof. Raymond Parsons, economist from the North-West University (NWU) Business School, says it is no longer only the external oil price shock that will have a likely future impact on the economy, but also the extent to which it will coincide with several domestic price increases on 1 April.

As South Africa marks Human Rights Day on 21 March, the commemoration is again drawing attention to the gap between constitutional rights and the lived conditions of many citizens, with analysts saying the day should serve both as an opportunity for remembrance and as a measure of government performance.

The recent escalation in the United States/Israeli war with Iran has now injected new urgency into assessing the economic and business implications for countries like South Africa.

Prof. Raymond Parsons, economist of the North-West University (NWU) Business School, says with the Brent crude oil price opening at over $100 a barrel this week, the Middle East conflict is widely seen as becoming increasingly protracted.

The North-West University (NWU) recently took centre stage as co-host of the 5th World Association for Sport Management (WASM) Conference, held from 3-6 March 2026 at the Newlands Cricket Ground in Cape Town.

Hosted in partnership with the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT), this landmark event marked the first WASM Conference ever held on African soil.

The North-West University’s Ikateleng programme is expanding into Rustenburg’s platinum belt, helping to build a pipeline of future engineers and mining professionals from local schools.

The FNB NWU Eagles maintained their impressive form by defeating the FNB UP-Tuks 30-22 in Monday night's Varsity Cup encounter at the Fanie Fortress, thereby climbing to the top of the Varsity Cup log.

The NWU Eagles set the tone early on, scoring a polished try and adding a penalty conversion in the seventh minute to establish an early lead in front of a cheerful home crowd. UP-Tuks attempted an immediate response, but the Eagles stood their ground and protected their lead.

Police dogs are among the most effective yet underutilised crime-fighting tools available to South African law enforcement.

The principal and vice-chancellor of the North-West University (NWU), Prof. Mzubanzi Bismark Tyobeka, recently participated in the Nuclear Forum at the Africa Energy Indaba, one of the premier platforms on the continent for dialogue on energy security, policy and innovation.

The Africa Energy Indaba brings together policymakers, energy experts, academics and industry leaders from across Africa and beyond to deliberate on sustainable energy solutions that can drive economic development while addressing the growing energy demands of the continent.

The good news is that, compared with gross domestic product (GDP) growth rates of 0,8% and 0,5% in 2023 and 2024, respectively, growth improved to 1,1% in 2025.

Prof. Raymond Parsons, economist from the North-West University (NWU) Business School, says the latest figures for 2025 that were released by StatsSA confirm that South Africa has been experiencing a slow and uneven economic recovery over the past year.

He says household spending continues to do much of the heavy lifting in sustaining economic activity.

After both sides suffered defeats in their previous away fixtures in the Varsity Cup and Young Guns competitions, respectively, the FNB NWU Eagles and FNB Young Guns bounced back in style.

The Eagles fell short in the City of Gold, losing 35-29 to FNB UJ, while the YGs suffered their first home defeat of the season against FNB UCT YGs. Both sides responded with commanding performances on the road with the Eagles FNB Eagles securing a hard-fought win in Bloemfontein and the YGs claiming bragging rights in the Jacaranda City.