Human Interest

Faculty of Health Sciences to host one-day Engaged Scholarship Impact Indaba

BELINDA BANTHAM — Mon, 15 Jul 2024 12:55:35 +0000

Faculty of Health Sciences to host one-day Engaged Scholarship Impact Indaba

BELINDA BANTHAM Mon, 07/15/2024 - 14:55

On 18 July the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Faculty of Health Sciences will host the Engaged Scholarship Impact Indaba, a dynamic one-day event dedicated to exploring the intersections of academic research, community engagement and societal impact.

Taking place at the Vanderbijlpark Campus, this event is set to attract scholars, practitioners, community leaders and students, all eager to discuss and showcase the transformative potential of engaged scholarship.

The aim of this indaba is to bring together diverse minds and ideas, reflecting the faculty’s commitment to fostering meaningful collaborations between academia and the community.

The keynote address, titled “Researching for Relevance & Impact: NWU Position,” will be delivered by Prof Jeffrey Mphahlele, deputy vice-chancellor for research and innovation.

Prof Awie Kotze, executive dean of the faculty, will be delivering the welcome and opening remarks, and Prof Ushotanefe Useh, the faculty’s deputy dean for community engagement and stakeholder relations, will be presenting the purpose of the day and introducing the resource persons and participants.

The event promises to be informative and engaging. Some of the topics to be explored during the event include the commercialisation of research outcomes and engaged scholarship, effective information systems for ensuring sustainability, and evaluating the impact of engaged scholarship in a resource-limited ecosystem and its community benefits.

Furthermore, Sizwe Khoza will be facilitating a session on advancing societal and knowledge impact through the National Research Foundation’s Engaged Research Framework. Siswe is the professional officer for engaged research at the NRF in its science engagement business unit, known as the South African Agency for Science and Technology Advancement.

Interested parties can join the online event HERE with the Meeting ID: 389 325 077 119 and Passcode: MoDmxJ. Click here for the Indaba programme.

NWU and ROF empower Afrikaans-speaking teachers

BELINDA BANTHAM — Mon, 15 Jul 2024 12:40:00 +0000

NWU and ROF empower Afrikaans-speaking teachers

by Willie du Plessis

BELINDA BANTHAM Mon, 07/15/2024 - 14:40

It has been 10 years since the North-West University (NWU) and the Rapport Onderwysfonds (ROF) first started collaborating to empower Afrikaans-speaking education students at the university through an ROF loan bursary.

A delegation from the ROF comprising Inge Kühne, chairperson, Phil-Marie Roberts from the ROF and Werner Human from the ROF Board of Trustees met with Prof Bismark Tyobeka, principal and vice-chancellor, on 11 July. The aim of the meeting was to discuss the way forward, as the renewal of the agreement is fast approaching and the current three-year term is coming to an end.

The discussions included exploring a possible increase in the loan bursary amount for 2025, as well as reflecting on the successes and past financial assistance to students.

The ROF initiative is celebrating two decades as an important role player in the training of Afrikaans-speaking teachers across the country. Through the ROF, successful Afrikaans-speaking education students can become part of the cohort of well-trained teachers.

During the past three years thirty-six NWU education students benefitted from the loan annually. The ROF and the NWU concluded a collaboration agreement as far back as 2014, in terms of which the NWU donates to the ROF on behalf of an NWU student, and then the ROF, in addition to the one student, financially supports another NWU student. In addition, ROF supports more students at the NWU from own and other donor’s funds.

From 2020 to 2022, a total of 205 students received support through ROF – some for one year and others for more years. Education students from the Foundation Phase to master’s degree students receive support from the fund.

Through these collaboration agreements, a total of R12 million has been invested in NWU education students.

Inge says NWU education students are academically strong and driven to complete their studies. “Therefore, the ROF can confidently recommend and allocate these students to our donors. NWU education students come from across all the provinces of the country. They are not concentrated in only one province. Therefore, students can be allocated to donors from other provinces who would like to support someone from their own area according to their wishes.”

She says the ROF’s 20-year milestone would not have been possible without the support of donors such as the NWU.

Going forward, the two parties aim to explore and leverage possible opportunities and lessons learnt in this venture in order to enhance the development of Sesotho, isiZulu and Setswana as languages of instruction.

More about the ROF

An ROF loan bursary is a loan of which a portion is annually converted to a scholarship based on academic achievement. It establishes the principle of “hard work is rewarded” in young people.

According to Inge, the ROF receives more than 750 applications annually, from which approximately 300 students can be supported.

For more information, visit the ROF website at https://rof.org.za/.

ROF representatives visited the office of the NWU vice-chancellor, Prof Bismark Tyobeka. Werner Human from the ROF Board of Trustees, Phil-Marie Roberts from the ROF, Prof Bismark Tyobeka, Inge Kühne, Nkosinathi Tom, NWU director for Strategic Partnerships and Special Projects, and Philip Malan, manager in the office of the vice-chancellor, attended the meeting.

Easy Matjila to receive honorary doctorate

BELINDA BANTHAM — Mon, 15 Jul 2024 09:09:30 +0000

Easy Matjila to receive honorary doctorate

by Phenyo Mokgothu

BELINDA BANTHAM Mon, 07/15/2024 - 11:09

Renowned broadcaster and SABC newsreader Masego Ezekiel Matjila will be awarded an honorary doctorate by the North-West University (NWU) on 18 July at the Mahikeng Campus.

Masego has demonstrated significant dedication in promoting the Setswana language at the SABC.

He started his career more than 30 years ago as an on-air radio personality for Radio Setswana, which later became Motsweding FM after merging with Radio Mmabatho. During this time, he also managed the archives for Radio Setswana, the Afrikaans Service, Radio Ndebele (Ikwekwezi FM), and Radio Swazi (Ligwalagwala FM).

His exceptional broadcasting skills and language proficiency, led to his appointment as a Setswana sports commentator for SABC Topsport (SABC Sports). He was later seconded to the News department, where he worked as a Sesotho, Sepedi and Setswana prime-time news presenter from 1993 until his retirement in 2021. He also served as a bulletin editor and executive producer.

Masego advocated for more multilingual youth programmes on SABC2, noting that Setswana, Sepedi, and Sesotho-speaking youth were underrepresented. His efforts at the SABC earned him numerous awards, including Best News Writer (SABC, 2008) and Commentator of the Year: AFCON 1996.

His contributions to South African society, particularly in promoting the Sesotho, Sepedi, and Setswana languages in broadcasting, are noteworthy. The honorary doctorate from the NWU recognises these significant contributions.

SABC newsreader Masego Ezekiel Matjila will be awarded an honorary doctorate by the NWU.

Public Protector advocates for community engagement and constitutional democracy

BELINDA BANTHAM — Mon, 15 Jul 2024 07:03:54 +0000

Public Protector advocates for community engagement and constitutional democracy

by Phenyo Mokgothu

BELINDA BANTHAM Mon, 07/15/2024 - 09:03

Public Protector Adv Kholeka Gcaleka delivered a lecture at the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Mahikeng Campus on 11 July 2024, during which she emphasised the role of community engagement and the Public Protector in upholding and strengthening South Africa’s constitutional democracy.

Adv Gcaleka highlighted the principles of South Africa’s constitutional democracy, established in 1994, adding that the rule of law, transparency, and accountability are the bedrock of the nation's democratic framework.

"Community engagement is essential for ensuring that the government remains accountable and responsive to the needs of its citizens."

In her address, Adv Gcaleka elaborated on the role of the Public Protector's office, describing it as a vital avenue for citizens to express concerns and grievances regarding public services. She stressed that the responsibilities of the Public Protector's office extend beyond oversight, and that it plays an important role in fostering a culture of transparency and responsiveness in public administration.

Reflecting on the legacy of her predecessor, Prof Thuli Madonsela, she noted the standard set for community engagement and emphasised her commitment to continuing this legacy.

One of the themes of Adv Gcaleka's discussed, the importance of effective complaints management frameworks. She outlined how these frameworks are designed to ensure accessibility and fairness in handling public grievances. By making it easier for citizens to lodge complaints and ensuring that these complaints are handled efficiently and justly, the Public Protector’s office can more effectively address issues of maladministration and corruption.

Adv Gcaleka also provided an overview of the constitutional and legislative mandates of the Public Protector. These include investigating instances of maladministration, enforcing executive ethics, combating corruption, protecting whistleblowers, and regulating access to information. She emphasised that these functions are crucial for maintaining the integrity of public institutions and for protecting the rights of citizens.

"Our role is to ensure that public power is exercised in a manner that is consistent with the Constitution," she said.

In discussing the challenges and opportunities facing South Africa’s democracy, Adv Gcaleka underscored the importance of citizen responsibility and political engagement, especially in the context of coalition governance. She argued that informed voting and participation in political discourse are essential for ensuring that government officials are held accountable. Additionally, she cautioned against undue influence in coalition agreements, stressing the need for vigilance and transparency in these processes. "We must be vigilant to ensure that coalition agreements do not undermine the principles of democracy," she said.

Adv Gcaleka concluded her lecture with a call to action. She urged citizens to strengthen civil society, promote inclusive governance, and safeguard democratic principles. She highlighted the role of the Public Protector as a facilitator of community engagement and a guardian of constitutional democracy, reaffirming her commitment to these roles.

"The Public Protector’s office is committed to upholding the values enshrined in South Africa’s Constitution. This commitment is essential for building a more just and equitable society where the rights and freedoms of all citizens are protected."

From left are Public Protector Adv Kholeka Gcaleka, executive director for corporate relations and marketing, Clement Manoko, and the executive dean of the Faculty of Law, Dr Neo Morei.

Enhanced research collaboration on agenda at NWU-NRF meeting

BELINDA BANTHAM — Mon, 15 Jul 2024 06:55:54 +0000

Enhanced research collaboration on agenda at NWU-NRF meeting

by Steve Maphakathe

BELINDA BANTHAM Mon, 07/15/2024 - 08:55

The principal and vice-chancellor of the North-West University (NWU), Prof Bismark Tyobeka, welcomed a delegation from the National Research Fund (NRF), led by the chief executive officer, Prof Fulufhelo Nelwamondo, during a meeting held on Monday, 8 July.

The aim of the meeting was to foster collaboration, share strategic insights, and to explore opportunities for joint initiatives between the NRF and the NWU.

Among the attendees at the meeting were Prof Jeffrey Mphahlele, deputy vice-chancellor for research and innovation, who took the lead in directing the proceedings.

Prof Mphahlele unpacked the recently launched institutional strategy of the NWU for 2024, which focuses on key priorities such as impact, growth, partnerships and internationalisation. Speaking on the research and innovation landscape of the university, Mphahlele said the demand for competent researchers is rising.

“The university hopes to strike a balance between quality and quantity by generating postgraduate students and postdoctoral fellows who will compete both nationally and internationally. The way you train your students determines who will be the leaders of tomorrow, and we want to provide the best training possible for NWU researchers,” he said.

Prof Nelwamondo expressed his gratitude for the meeting and said the NRF will actively identify areas where it can support the NWU.

In advancing the global ranking of the university, Prof Mphahlele urged that the quality of the publications that are published with international collaborators must improve.

Furthermore, the meeting highlighted the parties’ joint interest of strategic collaboration to advance the performance of science systems, even beyond the NWU. Throughout the meeting, the focus remained on building a collaborative relationship to support increased research outputs and the generation of knowledge at the NWU and in the country.

“I want to thank you for this opportunity. As the NWU we hope to have this engagement on an annual basis as it is beneficial to come back and reflect on how discussions of this nature have improved our research and innovation,” said Prof Tyobeka in his closing remarks. He added that the information presented by the NRF will aid the NWU in its future strategies.

The engagement concluded with a visit - led by Prof Mphahlele - to the NWU’s research facilities at the faculties of Engineering, Health Sciences and Natural and Agricultural Sciences.

Prof Bismark Tyobeka with Prof Fulufhelo Nelwamondo, CEO of the NRF.

Prof Jeffrey Mphahlele leading the meeting.

The visit included a stop at the Faculty of Engineering’s coal stove facilities.

The distinguished guests were welcomed at the Preclinical Drug Development Platform.

South Africa needs nuclear engineering expertise…now

BELINDA BANTHAM — Mon, 15 Jul 2024 06:53:44 +0000

South Africa needs nuclear engineering expertise…now

by Bertie Jacobs

BELINDA BANTHAM Mon, 07/15/2024 - 08:53

South Africans must have ownership of nuclear technology.

Without properly trained people, South Africa will face a major problem with the nuclear waste.

South Africa should not rely on others when it comes to nuclear safety and decommissioning.

South Africa is faced with a question, and the answer should be simple: Either the country must train and retain expertise in the field of nuclear engineering, or risk being left behind technologically. With its well-documented energy crisis and the need to grow its economy, infrastructure and service delivery – not to mention the multi-layered issues, obstacles and debates surrounding fossil fuels – the question is evidently rhetorical.

Given that South Africa is a ‘nuclear power’, Professor Vishana Naicker of the Unit for Energy and Technology Systems (UETS) at the North-West University (NWU), believes that: “South Africans must have ownership of this technology, at least in terms of safety and decommissioning. This is because the environmental, socio-economic and other impacts of nuclear power in terms of nuclear waste and possible nuclear accidents are significant. South Africa, and Africa, in terms of its sovereignty, cannot afford not to have South African expertise in the operation and maintenance of nuclear reactors. We should not rely on others when it comes to safety and decommissioning.”

There is more. “Of course, there are other benefits of training South Africans and Africans through nuclear engineering, such as localisation and job creation.”

In this regard, the NWU is uniquely positioned to meet South Africa’s diverse nuclear engineering needs. “In South Africa, to my knowledge, there are two institutions which can carry out reactor engineering analysis of nuclear reactor cores: the NWU and the South African Nuclear Energy Corporation (NECSA). At the NWU, being an academic institution, we have the advantage of being able to look at research and industrial issues from both an operator and regulatory perspective. We also perform state-of-the-art calculations using international computer codes and publish our findings in accredited journals,” Naicker explains.

The NWU’s expertise is further underscored by its participation in benchmark studies through the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and research projects in collaboration with the National Nuclear Regulator (NNR), NECSA and Eskom (via Koeberg). The NWU’s area of research is computational nuclear engineering analysis.

Naicker also strongly encourages prospective students to consider studying nuclear engineering at the NWU.

“There are two reasons. Firstly, as a career, it is a top-end career. Graduates do get employed in the nuclear industry. However, it is not a big market. If the South African government goes ahead with the planned nuclear build, the nuclear engineering job market will expand. The second reason is that South Africa is a ‘nuclear power’ country. It is important that people are trained to run this industry. Without properly trained people, we will have a big problem with the nuclear waste that we already have, given that we have three reactors that have been running for many decades. With the new reactors that may be built, this need would be even more important.

Looking to the future, Naicker highlights two aspects that are crucial to ensuring that South Africa reaps the many benefits of nuclear power.

“The first is the financing of the nuclear reactors. In this respect, the South African government has to be the main stakeholder, because in the South African context, the costs may be too high for a private enterprise. Secondly, we need to ensure that the reactor is properly licensed. The design has to be a proven design, so that the licensing processes can be based to some extent on previous licensing in other countries. In addition, the regulator must be adequately prepared to carry out the licensing task. At present, the regulator is able to regulate the current fleet of reactors. However, if the new reactors are of a different design, and they most likely will be, the regulator would need to assess its current capabilities and proactively build more capabilities if needed.”

Then there is the issue of the civilian nuclear power industry.

“This industry is often compared to the pharmaceutical and aeronautical industries. Given the necessity of the latter two industries, they will continue to play a major role in today’s global society. These two industries have stringent controls in place, given the risks. The same applies to nuclear energy, with institutions such as the IAEA acting as watchdogs. With global warming and climate change, and the thirst for energy in the world, the world has no choice but to include nuclear power in the energy mix. However, we must ensure that what we do does not put a burden on future generations. This means that we must be sure that the systems that we deploy are engineered to the highest standards, and that we make our decisions based on clear, non-emotional thinking.”

NSTF awards prestigious “Science Oscars” to two from NWU

BELINDA BANTHAM — Fri, 12 Jul 2024 08:01:43 +0000

NSTF awards prestigious “Science Oscars” to two from NWU

by Willie du Plessis

BELINDA BANTHAM Fri, 07/12/2024 - 10:01

The North-West University (NWU) is celebrating two wins at this year’s NSTF-South32 Awards.

Prof Linda Godfrey and Jonker Sailplanes (Pty) Ltd received these prestigious awards ─ also known as the “Science Oscars” – during a hybrid event and live broadcast from Johannesburg and Cape Town on 11 July.

Prof Godfrey, an extraordinary professor in the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, won the award in the Green Economy category. This award is sponsored by the Technology Innovation Agency. Prof Godfrey is the manager of Circular Innovation South Africa and the principal scientist for circular economy at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR).

“I like to acknowledge the other nominees and finalists in the category for the brilliant work that they are doing. Also, the National Science and Technology Forum (NSTF), the CSIR and the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI) for recognising the importance of investing in science, technology and innovation and the circular economy. I could not have done this without you.”

She commended all the environmental scientists and engineers and technicians across South Africa working in the green environment space for their work. “Keep at it, we need all of you committed to the environmental cause.”

Jonker Sailplanes (Pty) Ltd, with Prof Attie Jonker of the School of Mechanical Engineering as a co-founder, shareholder and director, received the Innovation Award for Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises.

Prof Jonker said at the NWU there is a lot of collaboration between industry and the university with regard to research. “I want to add what a brilliant student said: perseverance is so important, but if you add passion to perseverance, success is inevitable.”

Prof Jeffrey Mphahlele, chairperson of the NSTF and deputy vice-chancellor for Research and Innovation at the NWU, said the awards are playing an important role in addressing national imperatives such as inclusivity and diversity. “This is attested by the profiles of our nominees, finalists and winners. Perhaps most impressive is that the awards are not just recognition of talent but go a long way towards advocating for a thriving world-class science system and scholars in various sectors, both in the public and the private sector.”

He said the awards ceremony is also a platform to inspire the youth to become the next generation of leaders, professionals, innovators and scientists in the fields of science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM).

The NSTF-South 32 Awards are the largest, most comprehensive and among the most coveted national awards. They recognise outstanding contributions in science, engineering and technology (SET) and innovation by individuals, teams and organisations. The theme for this year’s event was the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) in South Africa.

The NWU had a strong showing in the run-up to the awards, having received eight nominations and ending up with three finalists in the various categories. Prof Rose Hayeshi, director at the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI)/NWU Preclinical Drug Development Platform (PCDDP), was a finalist for the Management Award.

For more information about the event visit: https://nstf.org.za/awards-gala-dinner/.

Prof Linda Godfrey receives the award from Minister Blade Nzimande

Photos by: Steve Maphakathe

Prof Attie Jonker receives the award on behalf of Jonker Sailplanes (Pty) Ltd and the NWU.

Prof Jeffrey Mphahlele during the event.

Conference on gender-based violence, diversity and inclusivity fosters a brighter future

BELINDA BANTHAM — Fri, 12 Jul 2024 10:01:27 +0000

Conference on gender-based violence, diversity and inclusivity fosters a brighter future

by Angeline Marokoane

BELINDA BANTHAM Fri, 07/12/2024 - 12:01

In a significant stride towards promoting equity and inclusivity in higher education, the 5th Bi-Annual National Conference on Gender-Based Violence, Diversity and Inclusivity was held from 1 to 3 July on the Vanderbijlpark Campus of the North-West University (NWU).

The Gender Practitioners' Community of Practice, in collaboration with the NWU and the Vaal University of Technology (VUT), successfully hosted the conference, bringing together a diverse group of gender practitioners, researchers, policymakers and activists.

Under the theme "Accelerating Gender Equality for a Sustainable, Resilient, and Inclusive Future in Higher Education”, the event served as a beacon of hope and progress. In her opening statement, Prof Linda du Plessis, deputy vice-chancellor for planning and Vanderbijlpark Campus operations, mentioned the relevance and urgency of the conference’s theme in tackling society's complex challenges.

She said that one in five women in South Africa in relationships have experienced gender-based violence (GBV). “GBV was identified as a second pandemic during the Covid-19 pandemic, with an estimated 10 516 rape cases reported by former Minister of Police, Bheki Cele.

“While more centres to support GBV victims have been established, there are still gaps in implementation. Building a community of inclusivity is a fundamental value that necessitates increased access and awareness,” she said.

Prof Khehla Ndlovu, VUT vice-chancellor and principal, described the conference as a gathering of brilliant minds and passionate individuals that are dedicated to addressing one of the most pressing challenges of our time – GBV and femicide. He encouraged delegates to engage openly and challenge assumptions.

Representatives from major South African universities attended and organisations such as Higher Health, the National Prosecuting Authority, University College Dublin, and Kwanele Group South Africa made presentations. Experts in their respective fields explored strategies to combat GBV and femicide, to promote diversity and foster inclusivity within university environments, highlighting the critical role higher education institutions play in shaping societal values and practices.

Additionally, a student voices platform presented by the National Student Cohort allowed students to share their experiences and perspectives on various topics relevant to the conference theme.

“This conference is more than just an event – it is a movement towards a brighter, more inclusive future in higher education,” said Lucas Makoro, manager of Student Judicial Servicesand project manager of the NWU’s local organising committee.

“Through collaborative efforts and shared commitment, we can accelerate gender equality and build resilient, inclusive academic environments that empower every individual to thrive,” said Ujeet Maharaj, prosecutor and head of Student Judicial Services on the Vanderbijlpark Campus. Ujeet is also the project head and convenor of the local organising committee.

Moreover, the event offered numerous networking opportunities, allowing stakeholders, academics, students and delegates from both national and international contexts to connect and share their passion for advancing equity and social justice in higher education.

The conference concluded with a gala dinner, a befitting celebration, that was attended by distinguished guests such Advocate Yasmin Mohamed, an advocate of the High Court of South Africa, and Cara Geduld, an activist, content creator and model.

Prof Linda du Plessis, deputy vice-chancellor for planning and Vanderbijlpark Campus operations, welcomes delegates to the conference.

Prof Stephen Khehla Ndlovu, principal and vice-chancellor of VUT, giving an overview of the significance of the conference.

Adv Joseph J Phelane discusses higher education's role and responsibilities to the South African GBV and femicide legislation.

The conference’s local organising committee comprised members from the Student Judicial Services and People and Culture divisions.

Prof Sibusiso Chalufu, executive director for student life, addresses the delegation

Tumelo Rasebopye is the chairperson of the Gender Practitioners' Community of Practice.

Engineering Week 2024 inspires the next generation of innovators

BELINDA BANTHAM — Fri, 12 Jul 2024 09:29:05 +0000

Engineering Week 2024 inspires the next generation of innovators

by Steve Maphakathe

BELINDA BANTHAM Fri, 07/12/2024 - 11:29

It all starts at the North-West University (NWU), and the Faculty of Engineering on the Potchefstroom Campus has risen to the occasion to fulfil that mission. For many years, the goal of the biennial Engineering Week has been to introduce high school learners from Grade 8 to 12 to engineering as a fascinating career.

This year the project ran from 2 to 5 July, welcoming learners from across South Africa and neighbouring countries as they started an interactive and engaging learning experience at the engineering facilities of the NWU.

Through interactions with engineers, engineering students and professors, the project gave the learners a first-hand experience of the excitement and thrill of being an engineering student. The learners also had the opportunity to see the renowned NWU Naledi 2.0 solar car, highlighting the faculty’s efforts to develop energy-efficient transportation technology.

The undergraduate programme manager at the School of Electrical, Electronic and Computer Engineering, Christo van der Merwe, gave a hearty welcoming speech to kick off the proceedings, and his deft wordplay set the tone for the remainder of the week. Senior marketer Johan Pyper provided an outline of the requirements for studying Engineering at the NWU and expressed the hope that the learners would enrol at this esteemed university.

After they had been sorted into groups that would collaborate for the rest of the week, the learners were introduced to four Engineering schools: Industrial, Chemical, Mechanical and Electrical, and Electronic and Computer Engineering.

Day 2 saw the groups of learners moving between the Engineering schools and having the opportunity to explore and work on diverse fun projects that kindled the spirit of teamwork. The learners constructed basic LED circuits and made rockets from 2 l water bottles. Brewing coffee, building animal structures from colourful objects and evaluating vinegar-infused chemical reactions were among the other fun activities on the day. A number of sponsored learners from the Vaal Triangle and the JB Marks Municipality attended for the day and received a complete engineering experience as they also participated in the fun projects.

The third day of the programme saw the learners visit Jonker Sailplanes, an industry location where they were given an inspiring tour of the manufacturing process of a glider sailplane. The second location they visited was CFAM, an industrial equipment manufacturer, where the learners saw the production of raw steel products. Educating the learners about the production process for a whole-grain and white-maize porridge by the CFAM food processing division formed part of the fascinating excursion.

The exciting Engineering Week came to an end on Day 4, when the learners took a campus tour and visited the iconic amphitheatre, as well as several men’s and women’s residences. The Engineering Week was a remarkable success, as it hosted about 160 learners with a continued aim of providing educational information regarding the field of engineering. Ewan Mans, a learner from the Walvis Bay Private School in Namibia, shared his experience:

“I now have a greater understanding of engineering thanks to the Engineering Week. I had always wanted to study Mechanical Engineering, and after attending the NWU’s Engineering Week and receiving the much-needed exposure, I feel more confident in my decision to continue pursuing this deep-rooted ambition.”

The learners building basic LED circuits.

Launching the 2 l water-bottle rocket made by the learners.

The learners at the CFAM food processing plant in Potchefstroom.

The learners in front of the G23 Res Glider manufactured at Jonker Sailplanes.

The learners were bouncing off the walls during their chemical-reaction activity.

Alumnus recognised as Sunday World Unsung Hero

BELINDA BANTHAM — Fri, 12 Jul 2024 09:25:50 +0000

Alumnus recognised as Sunday World Unsung Hero

by Phenyo Mokgothu

BELINDA BANTHAM Fri, 07/12/2024 - 11:25

North-West University (NWU) alumnus Dr Thulisile Bhuda has been selected for the Sunday World Unsung Heroes 2024 list under the Youth in Academia and Education category.

The Sunday World Unsung Heroes list acknowledges individuals for their entrepreneurial spirit in making significant contributions to the country.

Dr Bhuda is an academic and specialises in indigenous studies. She describes herself as career-driven and passionate about education. In 2019, she obtained her master's degree with distinction, followed by a PhD in 2022. Her work has earned her the Voice of Heritage and an NWU Alumni Excellence award in 2023.

She says she is grateful for the acknowledgement. "This recognition indicates that my work as a young emerging academic is taken note of, and this encourages me to work harder and explore my capabilities."

She adds that she owes this recognition to her mentors who always pushed her to reach her fullest potential. “I hope this achievement may serve as an inspiration to young people. As an academic myself, I can confirm that academic spaces are now occupied by young people."

More about Dr Bhuda

Dr Bhuda is a lecturer in culture and heritage studies at the University of Mpumalanga and completed her bachelors, master’s and PhD degrees in indigenous knowledge systems at the NWU’s Mahikeng Campus.

Her master's study focused on Ndebele ethnomathematics, demonstrating that Ndebele women use symmetrical geometry in their beadwork and mural art. Her PhD research investigated the origin of mathematical ideas and concepts in Ndebele artifacts. Her areas of expertise include African metallurgy, African ethnomathematics, and African cosmology and metaphysics.

Dr Thulisile Bhuda made the Sunday World Unsung Heroes 2024 list. Here she is during the NWU’s Biennial Alumni Excellence Awards in 2023 where she received an award in the Education category.