Folklore tells the tale of a mythical bird of Greek origin. A big, feathered creature with talons and wings, its plumage radiant and beautiful, burst into flame, consumed in its own fiery inferno only to soon after rise from its ashes in a transformation from death to life.

To many, this is simply a tale told to while away time, but for North-West University (NWU) residence officer at the Mahikeng Campus Leihandra Naidoo, this is a symbol of living life to the fullest.

by Phenyo Mokgothu and Nande Kolo

According to statistician-general and head of Statistics South Africa Risenga Maluleke, the world of work is a competitive space where the skilled and unskilled often compete for opportunities, with some feeling discouraged or ending up being employed in an industry that is misaligned to their profession. 

The North-West University (NWU) Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS) Centre in partnership with Modi Donkey Farm will be hosting a donkey farmers’ Lekgotla on 1 September 2022 at the NWU’s Mahikeng Campus.

Director of the IKS Centre Dr Motheo Koitsiwe says the purpose of the lekgotla is to discuss challenges and possible mitigation strategies, to establish a database and council for donkey farmers, and to start a donkey information desk at the NWU’s School of Agricultural Sciences.

He may be small in posture, but everybody knows he has an enormous spirit. Dr Ali Bacher, South Africa’s most famous cricket administrator, who at the age of 80 still enjoys global standing, this week visited the North-West University (NWU) to share enough life lessons and anecdotes to fill a number of books.

This guest lecture was hosted by the Faculty of Health Sciences and arranged by the Centre for Health and Human Performance, and man, it was interesting!

Where to start?

North-West University (NWU) alumnus and Miss NWU 2018 Taahirah Zungu will represent South Africa at the Miss Intercontinental World pageant that will take place in Egypt later this year.

This is after she was crowned as Miss Intercontinental South Africa for 2022 during a pageant held at Gold Reef City on 20 August 2022.

Originally from Mahikeng,Taahirah has completed two qualifications at the NWU, a diploma in sports coaching and a BHSc degree in sports coaching and human movement sciences.

“Preclinical research serves as a bridge to new medicines,’’ says North-West University (NWU) academic Prof Rose Hayeshi, associate professor and director of the DSI/NWU Preclinical Drug Development Platform (PCDDP).

Preclinical drug development is one of the stages of development for new medicines and her specific interest is in drug metabolism.

Prof Hayeshi says the development of new medicines can be divided into two broad areas – discovery and development.

The North-West University (NWU)'s subject group History recently held its inaugural seminar in a newly established hybrid history seminar series.

This series aims to create a discussion platform for scholarly works in progress and intellectual exchange within the NWU and the wider academic community, sharing cutting-edge research on various historical themes.

Dr Bismark Tyobeka, principal and vice-chancellor of the North-West University (NWU), has been nominated to replace Dr Trevor Dudley as South-Africa’s representative on the Senior Industry Advisory Panel (SIAP) of the Generation IV International Forum (GIF). This forum was created in 2001 as an international body to develop research necessary to ensure the deployment of fourth-generation nuclear systems by 2030.

Dr Bismark, how does it feel to be nominated to serve on the SIAP of the GIF?

By Oldrin Masowa

He still vividly recalls all the tragic moments like it was yesterday. The discomfort every day, the roars and sleepless nights that left him feeling powerless. But even though the torture and suffering were unbearable, even though it sometimes crippled his very being, he was never broken. Now that he is a grown man, he holds his head high and vows to put an end to gender-based violence (GBV).

It is said that one of the greatest compliments an academic can receive is to be recognised and acknowledged.

Lerato Mohalajeng, a lecturer at the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Faculty and Economic and Management Sciences and Enactus faculty co-advisor, has been named the 2022 National Faculty Advisor of the Year by Enactus South Africa.

This is in recognition of her dedication to contributing to socio-economic development through her entrepreneurial action in Enactus and her distinguished mentorship and coaching of students involved in the Enactus team.