It is the diagnosis dreaded by most: cancer. Two professors at the North-West University (NWU) who were both affected in different ways by this life-threatening disease, say the emotional toll it takes can be just as detrimental as the physical havoc it causes. They offer expert advice on how to deal with it when cancer becomes a personal reality.

Prof Welma Lubbe, director of the Quality in Nursing and Midwifery (NuMIQ) research focus area in the Faculty of Health Sciences, says her journey started almost seven years ago when she discovered a lump in her breast.

By Phenyo Mokgothu and Nolwazi Xulu

North-West University (NWU) academic in the Faculty of Theology, Prof Alfred Brundson, presented his inaugural lecture on 13 October 2022 at the NWU’s Mahikeng Campus.
The title of the lecture was “Are we there yet? Probing the notion of contextualising practical theology and pastoral care in a post-Covid glocal African context.”

The North-West University’s (NWU’s) Lifestyle Diseases research niche area and Stadt Primary School hosted an International Child Health Day at Barolong Ratshidi Hall on 14 October 2022.

According to Prof Sonia Swanepoel, deputy vice-chancellor for community engagement and Mahikeng Campus operations, the purpose of the event was to raise awareness about lifestyle diseases and the prevalence thereof in primary schools of the North-West province.

By Oldrin Masowa

The Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences (FNAS) on the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Potchefstroom Campus recently hosted an awards ceremony in recognition of top student achievers.

During the event students were rewarded for achieving top academic results in their various modules during the first semester.

By Onitretse Motingwa

“Little attention is given to the mental health of those affected by divorce,” says Dr Lebogang Philda Selahla, a North-West University (NWU) PhD alumnus.

Dr Selahla who recently obtained her PhD, conducted research on mental health issues of men and women who are affected by divorce. Her thesis is titled “Psychosocial predictors of the mental health of divorcees and efficacy of intervention”.

One of Mahikeng’s well-known journalists, Sosty Rammutla, received a BA communication degree during the North-West University (NWU) graduation ceremony on 11 October 2022 at the Mahikeng Campus.

Sosty says he is truly grateful and proud of this achievement.

“I would like to thank God for His grace, and I dedicate this qualification to my wife who stood by me, to my mother who has been my anchor all my life, and thirdly, to the man that gave me this opportunity in the first place – Prof Dan Kgwadi,” says Sosty.

The North-West University (NWU) remains among the top local universities as is evident in the latest World University Rankings by Times Higher Education (THE).

According to the THE, the NWU is among the top six universities in South-Africa. The ranking agency released the rankings for their 2023 cycle on 12 October. It places the NWU in the 601 to 800 category.  

By Ontiretse Motingwa

Dineo Nakedi, a North-West University (NWU) transport economics honours graduate, conducted research on the need to establish efficient public transportation in non-metropolitan areas.

The title of her study is “Identifying the challenges faced by a commuter train in non-metropolitan areas with specific reference to Mahikeng”.

“It can be argued that the lack of commuter trains in non-metro areas negatively affects the mobility of daily commuters as it denies them access to various economic activities,” says Dineo.

According to Statistics South Africa, the demand for air transport has been increasing for the past decade in South Africa. This is due to an increase in physical activity and major economic development in different cities across the country.

North-West University (NWU) transport economics graduate Amantle Gaokgorwe investigated the determinants that authorities can look at to revive the Mahikeng Airport.

The North-West University (NWU) in collaboration with WATERnet and Baleware (Bridging Africa, Latin America, and Europe on Water and Renewable Energies Applications), is hosting an International Water-Climate Summer School from 4 to 18 October 2022.

The summer school is a hybrid, interactive, transdisciplinary event aimed at strengthening capacity to achieve Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6 – “Ensure access to water and sanitation for all”, and SDG 13 – “Climate action”.