Prof Danie Meyer, director of the TRADE research focus area at the North-West University (NWU), and Roan Neethling, a doctoral student, discuss the main themes from president Cyril Ramaphosa’s fourth state of the nation address (SONA) that was delivered on 13 February 2020.

“The wide-ranging state of the nation address (SONA) delivered by president Cyril Ramaphosa to Parliament recognised the grave socio-economic challenges currently faced by South Africa, especially its low growth and high unemployment.”

Dr Mathew Moyo, the North-West University’s (NWU’s) chief director for library and information services, was recently appointed as a board member of the National Council for Library and Information Services (NCLIS).

In recognition of the excellent work done by Prof Wilma Viviers in the North-West University’s (NWU’s) TRADE research entity under the World Trade Organization (WTO) Chairs Programme over the past few years, the WTO has agreed that the Chair will continue to be hosted by the NWU after its initial four-year run, with Prof Viviers remaining the Chair holder.

At the start of 2020 the South African economic outlook seems dire. According to economist Prof Danie Meyer, director of the TRADE research focus area at the North-West University (NWU), the International Monetary Fund (IMF) estimates that economic growth will be set at below 1% for the year.

The meaning of the term “accretion burst” is expanding. In a rare glimpse at how high-mass stars grow even larger, an astronomer from the North-West University (NWU) has been part of a 15-country research team that has observed star bursts – or growth spurts – previously unknown to humankind.

With their angelic voices, capturing the hearts and souls of their audiences, the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Potchefstroom Campus choir came out on top at the recent Prague Advent and Christmas Choral Festival.

Local tennis has been boosted by the news that Tennis South Africa (TSA) has secured the rights to bring an ATP Challenger tournament to the country in 2020. The ATP Challenger 50 event will take place from 9 March 2020 at the new tennis complex at the North-West University’s (NWU’s) campus in Potchefstroom.

“I am not ‘moedeloos’ (in despair). I haven’t lost hope for the future but I am deeply concerned about where we are at the moment.”

The North-West University (NWU) is on a mission to be a university where everybody will feel welcome in their languages, and can use their own language to teach, learn and interact freely.