“Partnerships between the government, the private sector and civil society are critical for any sustainable development agenda. However, experience in Africa has shown that participation by local communities in development projects is rarely interactive or empowering,” says Otsile Maditsi, a PhD candidate and lecturer at the Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS) Centre of the North-West University (NWU).

North-West University (NWU) students and twins Andrea and Marco Fiorita, recently received their degrees in computer and electronic engineering with distinction.

“Growing up, we were inseparable and always in cahoots. We made smoke bombs, took apart electronics around the house, build crazy contraptions and watched endless YouTube videos on how to make cool gadgets at home,” says Marko.

All these activities created an interest and stirred a love for creating and learning, and it came as no surprise when they decided to enroll for a degree in engineering.

Prof Leepile Sehularo, an associate professor in the North-West University’s (NWU’s) School of Nursing, conducted a literature review in line with the theme for World Mental Health Day 2022 – “Mental Health in an Unequal World”.

The World Federation for Mental Health has encouraged researchers to share their knowledge about mental health inequality and to suggest ways how this inequality may be addressed.

Written from a South African perspective, Prof Sehularo’s paper was submitted to and accepted by the Journal of Gender and Behaviour.

Africa has abundant flora that can be used for food and medicine, and a young botanist at the North-West University (NWU) and his collaborating researchers are determined to ensure that communities themselves benefit from the rich plant life around them.

Prof Christa Rautenbach’s hard work on legal pluralism and cultural diversity finally paid off when she received a B-rating in the highly competitive rating process of the National Research Foundation (NRF).

One of her reviewers remarked that her “research is significant for legal pluralism and development in postcolonial developmental settings, where law reforms must be mindful of the continued relevance of indigenous laws”.

North-West University (NWU) academic Prof Olubukola Oluranti Babalola was elected a fellow of the Nigerian Academy of Science (NAS) during its annual general meeting earlier this year.

She was formally inducted as fellow, along with 10 international distinguished scientists on 12 May 2022.

The NAS fellow induction is one of the highest honours of the academy, and each fellow receives a certificate and gold medal.

Kgame Molope, a programme leader in the subject group Political Studies and International Relations on the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Mahikeng Campus, was recently elected to serve a two-year term as chairperson of the group of South African academics representing the country in the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA).

Before his election, Kgame served as the co-chair of the Trade and Investment Facilitation sub-group of the South African Indian Ocean Rim Academic Group (SA IORAG).

World-renowned poet and writer Audre Lorde held that poetry is not only a dream and vision; it is the skeleton architecture of our lives. It lays the foundations for a future of change, a bridge across our fears of what has never been before.

No one understands and resonates more with this saying than Dr Kezell McCarthy-Klinck, North-West University (NWU) lecturer, researcher, supervisor, mentor and poet.

As part of its community engagement and stakeholder relations, the School of Christian Ministry and Leadership at the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Vanderbijlpark Campus recently partnered with church leaders in the Vaal area to create a forum to recover and strengthen ethical and moral leadership within the church and community.

It is with great sadness that the North-West University (NWU) has learned about the passing of lecturer and political analyst, associate professor Barry Rhulani Hanyane.

He died on Wednesday, 11 May at the Netcare Milpark Hospital in Johannesburg after being sick for some time.

Prof Hanyane from the Faculty of Humanities’ School of Government Studies was a revered and esteemed specialist with a keen research interest in public management and administration.