North-West University (NWU) academic Prof Olubukola Oluranti Babalola and student Sinenhlanhla Mthembu have been named finalists for the 2024 South African Women in Science Awards (SAWiSA).

These awards recognise outstanding contributions by women in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).

Prof Babalola and Sinenhlanhla will join other distinguished women at the awards ceremony on 15 August in Mbombela.

Prof Wannie Carstens, the former director of the School of Languages at the North-West University (NWU), has been awarded the prestigious Jan H Marais Prize for his exceptional contributions to Afrikaans as a scientific language by the Suid-Afrikaanse Akademie vir Wetenskap en Kuns (the South African Academy of Science and Arts). This is in recognition of his high level and high quality of work, as well as his expert contribution to Afrikaans linguistics.

Not unexpectedly, for the seventh time, the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) decided by a four to two majority vote (as opposed to a unanimous decision in May) to again keep interest rates unchanged for now.

In commenting on this decision of 18 July, Prof Raymond Parsons, economist from the North-West University (NWU) Business School, says the MPC viewed the risks to the inflation outlook as now being on the upside again and wants to see low and stable inflation entrenched at its 4,5% target.

Veteran Setswana broadcaster and SABC newsreader, Masego Ezekiel “Easy” Matjila, received an honorary doctorate in humanities from the North-West University (NWU) on 18 July at the Mahikeng Campus. This was in recognition for his outstanding achievements in promoting Setswana and other languages through his work at the SABC.

"Allow me to express my gratitude and appreciation to the NWU for honouring an individual such as myself while still alive. I consider myself lucky and I am truly humbled," says Dr Matjila.

Public Protector Adv Kholeka Gcaleka delivered a lecture at the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Mahikeng Campus on 11 July 2024, during which she emphasised the role of community engagement and the Public Protector in upholding and strengthening South Africa’s constitutional democracy.

Adv Gcaleka highlighted the principles of South Africa’s constitutional democracy, established in 1994, adding that the rule of law, transparency, and accountability are the bedrock of the nation's democratic framework.

The North-West University (NWU) is celebrating two wins at this year’s NSTF-South32 Awards.

Prof Linda Godfrey and Jonker Sailplanes (Pty) Ltd received these prestigious awards ─ also known as the “Science Oscars” – during a hybrid event and live broadcast from Johannesburg and Cape Town on 11 July.

It is with great sadness that the North-West University (NWU) has taken note of the untimely passing away of Adv Ilyayambwa Mwanawina on 10 July 2024. He was a practicing advocate in the High Court of South Africa and was employed at the Duma Nokwe Group of Advocates in Sandton.

Dr Casper Lötter, a conflict criminologist affiliated with the North-West University’s (NWU) School of Philosophy, gives his wish list for what the new Minister of Correctional Services, Dr Pieter Groenewald, can do to improve the country’s correctional services system.

On Thursday, 11 July, Public Protector Adv Kholeka Gcaleka will deliver a public lecture – titled “Community engagement and the role of the public protector in supporting and strengthening constitutional democracy” – at the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Mahikeng Campus.

Adv Gcaleka holds an LLB degree from the University of KwaZulu-Natal and an LLM in commercial law from the University of Johannesburg.

The much-anticipated announcement by President Cyril Ramaphosa of the new Government of National Unity (GNU) Cabinet is, on the whole, good for business and investor confidence.

Prof Raymond Parsons, economist from the NWU Business School, says the markets are likely to respond positively as they digest the new mix of Cabinet appointments.