At the North-West University (NWU), research not only plays a pivotal role in the daily functioning, but it is also where the university helps to change the world.

As an expert in computer-integrated education and digital learning, Prof Mmankoko Ziphorah Ramorola firmly believes that, since learners in the 21st century are technology-savvy, they absolutely cannot be taught in the same way as learners before them. Whereas the children of today are – so to speak – born with digital competence, the same cannot be said about their teachers. This reality poses serious challenges in the contemporary classroom. Very few, if any, industries today can effectively separate their products and services from technology, and education is no exception.

The inauguration of Dr Bismark Tyobeka as the third vice-chancellor of the North-West University (NWU) is the start of an exciting new journey for the university.

Dr Tyobeka, who started his five-year term as principal and vice-chancellor on 1 June 2022, was officially inaugurated on 26 August during a prestige event at the Feather Hill Hotel and Venue in Potchefstroom.

Our world is speeding up, and never in human existence have we been able to search as fast, travel as far or delve as deep. The last century alone has seen a meteoric increase in the accumulation of data and we are able to store unfathomable quantities of information to help us solve problems known and unknown. At some point the ability to optimally utilise these vast amounts of data will be beyond our reach, but not beyond that of the tools we have made.

Ontiretse Motingwa

Cluster 11, the new residence on the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Mahikeng Campus, has come up with a unique mental health intervention programme called “Becoming”.

The programme consists of sessions that take place every Wednesday at the residence’s recreational hall, covering a different psychological subject each week to educate students on the value of maintaining good mental health.

Folklore tells the tale of a mythical bird of Greek origin. A big, feathered creature with talons and wings, its plumage radiant and beautiful, burst into flame, consumed in its own fiery inferno only to soon after rise from its ashes in a transformation from death to life.

To many, this is simply a tale told to while away time, but for North-West University (NWU) residence officer at the Mahikeng Campus Leihandra Naidoo, this is a symbol of living life to the fullest.

by Phenyo Mokgothu and Nande Kolo

According to statistician-general and head of Statistics South Africa Risenga Maluleke, the world of work is a competitive space where the skilled and unskilled often compete for opportunities, with some feeling discouraged or ending up being employed in an industry that is misaligned to their profession. 

The North-West University (NWU) Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS) Centre in partnership with Modi Donkey Farm will be hosting a donkey farmers’ Lekgotla on 1 September 2022 at the NWU’s Mahikeng Campus.

Director of the IKS Centre Dr Motheo Koitsiwe says the purpose of the lekgotla is to discuss challenges and possible mitigation strategies, to establish a database and council for donkey farmers, and to start a donkey information desk at the NWU’s School of Agricultural Sciences.

North-West University (NWU) alumnus and Miss NWU 2018 Taahirah Zungu will represent South Africa at the Miss Intercontinental World pageant that will take place in Egypt later this year.

This is after she was crowned as Miss Intercontinental South Africa for 2022 during a pageant held at Gold Reef City on 20 August 2022.

Originally from Mahikeng,Taahirah has completed two qualifications at the NWU, a diploma in sports coaching and a BHSc degree in sports coaching and human movement sciences.