Academic

Toto Tshona: from a small community to the great success story of the NWU

She danced, sang and prayed. For a few moments, the entire Potchefstroom Campus of the North-West University (NWU) and all the joy in the world belonged to Ntombizanele Beauty Tshona. Because, on a Thursday morning, with the winter sun smiling playfully through the rows of wattle trees, the 38-year-old Toto Tshona received his doctoral degree in Mathematics Education from the Faculty of Education. 

Submitted on Mon, 08/15/2022 - 08:58

NWU Debating Union focuses on student development

Ontiretse Motingwa

The Mahikeng chapter of the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Debating Union recently hosted a one-day hybrid dialogue session on financial literacy and workplace readiness.

According to Boitumelo Malatji, president of the Debating Union, the union aims to foster meaningful conversations that are of value to the student community. "We want our members and the student body as a whole to talk about important matters that will help them in future.”

Submitted on Mon, 08/15/2022 - 08:54

NWU Gender Awareness Week encourages getting comfortable with the uncomfortable

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.

Submitted on Fri, 08/12/2022 - 12:19

AUTHeR’s webinars put theory into practice for researchers, supervisors and students

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. 

Submitted on Wed, 08/10/2022 - 14:40

Minister appoints NWU academic on professional board for social work

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. 

Submitted on Thu, 08/04/2022 - 09:49

Dr Anja graduated and stood out from the rest

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.

Submitted on Wed, 08/03/2022 - 15:06

NWU alumnus is first female municipal manager

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.

Submitted on Wed, 08/03/2022 - 12:54

From the newsroom to a PhD in law

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.

Submitted on Tue, 08/02/2022 - 10:06