Gender Awareness Week (GAW) has become an integral part of the North-West University’s (NWU’s) strategy of promoting diversity and inclusivity among students, staff, and other stakeholders.

GAW takes place from 8 to 12 August 2022, with activities, sessions, and presentations focusing on creating awareness and discussing issues such as gender and identity in diverse contexts. This year’s theme centres around the arts.

Dr Adri du Toit, a member of the research unit for Self-directed Learning, was recently elected as managing president of the South African Association of Family Ecology and Consumer Sciences (SAAFECS) for a period of two years.

This was announced at the bi-annual General Meeting of the SAAFECS organisation, which was part of the SAAFECS Conference.

What good is theory if it is not put into practice? This is especially true for those studying or working in the health sciences. The Africa Unit for Transdisciplinary Health Research (AUTHeR) at the North-West University (NWU) is presenting various informal workshops and webinars throughout the year, concentrating on qualitative and quantitative research methodologies that focus on skills development and optimal support for researchers, study leaders and students. 

Minister of Social Development Ms Lindiwe Zulu recently appointed North-West University (NWU) academic Dr Elizabeth Smit as member of the Professional Board for Social Work at the South African Council for Social Service Professions (SACSSP). 

Dr Smit, the deputy director in the School of Psychosocial Health in the Faculty of Humanities, says her appointment for a period of five years comes after a nomination process early in May. 

“Most of the social workers supported my nomination, and the local Department of Social Development office also rallied behind me. 

The famous French fashion designer Coco Chanel said to be irreplaceable, one must always be different and that was definitely the case when Dr Anja Erasmus received her PhD in Environmental Science on 29 July 2022. She stood out by wearing a dress with her research printed on it.

Her journey at the NWU started in 2012 where she enrolled for her BSc degree in Tourism, Zoology, and Geography. She went on to obtain her Honours degree in Biodiversity and Conservation Ecology in 2015 and her Master’s degree in Environmental Sciences in 2017.

North-West University (NWU) alumnus Advocate Dineo Mongwaketse has recently been appointed as the first-ever female manager for the Mahikeng local municipality, and assumed office on 1 August.

Advocate Mongwaketse recently graduated with an LLM degree from the NWU. She also holds an LLB and MBA degree from the NWU, as well as a BTech in internal auditing and a national diploma in internal auditing from the Cape Peninsula University of Technology. After completing her LLB degree, she served pupillage at the North West Bar Association.

The story of Dr Elfas Torerai is a classic case of focus, determination, persistence and success personified. He started off as a rookie journalist, plying his trade in community newspapers. Before long, he joined the mainstream media where he rose to become the provincial correspondent of the now defunct The New Age/AfroVoice.

In between the tight deadlines, he pursued an LLB degree at Unisa, and graduated in 2018.

Ontiretse Motingwa

North-West University (NWU) Prof Ferdinand Potgieter, a professor and sub-area leader for discipline in the research unit Education and Human Rights in Diversity (Edu-HRight), recently received notice of his C2-rating as an established researcher from the National Research Foundation (NRF).

Ever wanted to pursue a career in the medical sciences, public health or hospitality and tourism? These are the highest-ranked subject offerings of the North-West University (NWU) according to the latest rankings from the ShanghaiRanking Consultancy.

The popular annual NWU-Juta Mock Trials competition is back in full force, with last year’s virtual format making way for an in-person competition this year.

“We are very excited to have everyone back in our mock courtroom,” says Adv René Koraan, director of Professional Development and Community Engagement and senior lecturer at the Faculty of Law on the Potchefstroom Campus. She says the competition is an excellent opportunity for second- and third-year students to gain much-needed experience.