“Do your little bit of good where you are; it's those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world.” Desmond Tutu.

Community engagement is about people meeting people and sharing knowledge. It is done to touch lives, strengthen human connections, and remind us that learning has its deepest meaning when it serves others. Helping others is not just an act; it is a gift of compassion and a quiet way to leave the world better than we found it.

On a bright and sunny Saturday morning, 30 August 2025, the grounds of the Samuel Broadbent House in Potchefstroom became the starting point of a remarkable journey. The TRACTOR Awareness Rally (Together Rallying Across Communities To Overcome Remembrance-loss) began its 1 900-kilometre trip with an emotional departure.

Soccer balls rolled, whistles blew and chess pieces moved quietly as learners from five schools gathered at Maano Secondary School in Mmasutlhe Village for a day of sports organised by the North-West University (NWU) Mahikeng Campus Sports Department.

The community sports tournament on Friday, 25 July 2025, brought together Maano Secondary School, Sejankabo Secondary School, Mococoe Secondary School, Mailakgang Primary School and Mogakolodi School. The learners participated in soccer, netball, volleyball and chess.

By Kealeboga Motshabi

Plastic bags packed with clothes, blankets and shoes made their way from the North-West University (NWU) Mahikeng Campus to the Unathi Community Orphans Home as the Zulu Cultural Society marked Mandela Day through a student-led donation drive.

In true Mandela Day spirit, the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Potchefstroom Campus turned up the energy and heart rate (?) on 18 July with a vibrant and meaningful walk around the Fanie du Toit Sports Grounds.

When healthcare staff at the Klerksdorp/Tshepong Hospital complex voiced a heartfelt need for debriefing and support, Dr Khumo Shopo, deputy director of the School of Nursing at the North-West University (NWU) and hospital board member, listened.

Her response set in motion an inspiring initiative: the Presence workshops, an initiative of the Presence team of the School of Nursing and the NuMIQ research focus area, designed to nurture well-being and relational caring among hospital staff, and now making waves across North West.

The Faculty of Humanities at the North-West University (NWU) recently reaffirmed its dedication to societal transformation during a seminar that explored the vital relationship between academic engagement and real-world impact.

A spirit of collaboration and compassion is flourishing at Witrand Hospital, thanks to the innovative Taking HANDS community engagement project led by the Presence team of the North-West University (NWU) School of Nursing and NuMIQ research focus area. This inspiring initiative is transforming the hospital environment, fostering unity among staff, students and patients, and setting a new standard for quality care.

A vibrant trial run took place this past Saturday, 19 July at Matlosana Mall in Klerksdorp, setting the pace for the upcoming TRACTOR Awareness Rally, an inspiring campaign by North-West University (NWU) aimed at raising awareness around dementia and Alzheimer’s in South Africa.

The TRACTOR campaign (Together Rallying Across Communities to Overcome Remembrance-loss) is a collaborative initiative driven by NWU’s Faculty of Health Sciences, Engineering Compliance, and the Department of Sustainability and Community Impact, in partnership with corporate and community stakeholders.

The Faculty of Humanities at the North-West University (NWU) recently reaffirmed its dedication to societal transformation during a seminar that explored the vital relationship between academic engagement and real-world impact.