By Mafumane Tlhapi and Menziwa Msibi

Khayakazi Madlala, a final-year BA in music and society student at the North-West University’s (NWU’s) School of Music and Conservatory, was part of the stellar ensemble that performed at the famous Playhouse Theatre in Durban on 26 March 2023.

Giving up has never been an option for 23-year-old René Engelbrecht, who recently graduated with her BEd Foundation Phase degree at the North-West University (NWU). She obtained her degree with cum laude.

Three female alumni of the North-West University (NWU) and former university team boxers – Onalenna Tsae, Goitseone Kgopiso, and Keamogetse Lesole – opened the SK Boxing Academy in 2022 to develop and promote the sport in their community.

The academy, strictly owned and run by women, currently has two branches – one in Uitkyk Village and the other in Mmabatho.

On request of the family of the late Prof Dan Kgwadi, former principal and vice-chancellor of the North-West University (NWU), a memorial service to honour him was held on 4 May 2023 at the Mahikeng Campus.

Prof Kgwadi passed away on 30 April 2023.

Many speakers paid tribute to him during the memorial service, describing him as a visionary leader who was committed to making a difference in the lives of students and the wider community.

A North-West University (NWU) senior lecturer in the subject group Psychology, Dr Petro Erasmus, developed and designed the mathematics programme Whartels™ – which is exclusively used in Let’s Really Play Maths Centres – to help foundation phase learners excel in maths.

This programme was recently launched at the Technology Innovation Agency (TIA) in Pretoria.

Her innovative programme focuses on developing both cognitive and neuro-psychological facets to help children improve their maths skills.

Expert knowledge is needed to protect and manage water, an essential and scarce natural resource. As a relatively dry country, South Africa faces crucial challenges that include insufficient water, water quality problems, inadequate infrastructure and inconsistency in access.

The Water Research Commission (WRC) plays an integral role in enabling the country to address these issues. One of the NWU’s own is now stepping up to play a part in this commission’s important work.

North-West University (NWU) student Oscar Mosenogi, who has been selected as one of the World Changers Candidates Ambassadors, was given the opportunity to speak at the Best Diplomats Conference that took place in Thailand.

This conference was organised by Best Diplomats, a New York-based international organisation focusing on training and crafting future diplomats through diplomatic simulations. Supported by the United Nations, it serves as a platform for young leaders and change-makers to exchange ideas and find solutions to the world's most pressing issues.

The North-West University (NWU) Water Research Group (WRG) and the University of Limpopo (UL) recently hosted a Snail Day community workshop, sponsored by the Water Research Commission (WRC).

According to Dr Lizaan de Necker, principal investigator from the NWU, this formed part of their project that focuses on the distribution of schistosomiasis in South Africa, how it may have changed over the past 40 years, and to model how the distribution may change in the future because of climate change.

The North-West University (NWU) is celebrating the recent announcement that one of their football players, Heaven Prince Julius Sereetsi, has been named the best player of the North West ABC Motsepe league.

Heaven, an NWU Soccer Institute attacking winger, has been recognised for his outstanding performances throughout the league season. He has been a key player in the NWU team, contributing to their success in the league and helping them secure a place in the playoffs.