From climate change and associated extreme weather events to pollutants, over-utilisation and invasive species, human activities are the main threats to freshwater species in South Africa’s largest floodplain ecosystem.

This is according to the Water Research Group (WRG) of the North-West University (NWU), which for the past 10 years has been actively involved in studies relating to water preservation in the Pongola River and floodplain (PRF).

In 2018, the Constitutional Court of South Africa legalised the cultivation and use of cannabis, provided that it is for private use by an adult person in a private place.

In her master’s-degree research carried out at the North-West University (NWU), Advocate Dineo Mongwaketsi looked at the legal implications of the legalisation of cannabis for employers and employees.

At the North-West University (NWU), research not only plays a pivotal role in the daily functioning, but it is also where the university helps to change the world.

Prof Febe De Wet, an associate professor in the School of Electrical, Electronic and Computer Engineering at the North-West University (NWU), has more than three decades of experience in her field, and her passion is the driving force in making a meaningful contribution to her industry.

She is working on several projects that deal with speech technology and language resources for native South African languages Her current project involves localising Mozilla Firefox's Common Voice platform for the 11 official languages recognised in the South African Constitution.

Everyone interested in digital humanities is in for a double treat.

The Digital Humanities Association of Southern Africa (DHASA) will be hosting a summer school from 31 October to 3 November 2022, followed by the inaugural digital humanities conference organised by the North-West University's (NWU's) Faculty of Humanities from 2 to 4 November 2022.

During the summer school a series of courses will cover a wide range of topics related to the digital humanities field, which is a relatively new research field in South Africa.

Varsity Football continues to play a prominent role in nurturing talent for role players involved with the game – from players, technical staff, masters of ceremonies, photographers, and sports writers – to name but a few.

Dimpho Khumalo, master of ceremonies (MC) for the North-West University (NWU) during the 2022 Varsity Football tournament, believes her role as MC in this tournament is a steppingstone to greatness.

Mental health expert Prof Miriam Mmamphamo Moagi is a research professor at the School of Nursing Science (Mahikeng Campus) of the North-West University (NWU). In contrast to typical nursing-related interests, her research interests include mental health, substance use and abuse, programme development, student/adolescent health and well-being, and the homeless who are mentally impaired. Her current research developed from when she was conducting her doctoral research.

As an expert in computer-integrated education and digital learning, Prof Mmankoko Ziphorah Ramorola firmly believes that, since learners in the 21st century are technology-savvy, they absolutely cannot be taught in the same way as learners before them. Whereas the children of today are – so to speak – born with digital competence, the same cannot be said about their teachers. This reality poses serious challenges in the contemporary classroom. Very few, if any, industries today can effectively separate their products and services from technology, and education is no exception.

Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm and hard work and this the case for Dr Janine Chantson.