Human Interest

NWU physical trainer hones his skills with PSL team

Ontiretse Motingwa

Dino Rangaka, physical trainer at the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Soccer Institute, recently received an invitation from PSL outfit Stellenbosch FC to hone his skills on physical training.

The training specifically focused on strength training and conditioning. “I went there to learn more about their tactical periodisation, their training loads and how they do their analysis,” says Dino.

Submitted on Mon, 06/13/2022 - 12:26

From DJ to PhD, there’s just no stopping Hans

DJ Hans Kekana, better known as DJ HK, took off his headphones and stepped out from behind his turntables to receive a PhD in geography during the North-West University’s (NWU’s) graduation ceremony on 23 May 2022.

This adds to his already impressive list of successes in academic research, public service, the music industry, entrepreneurship and events management.

His journey

Hans registered for his first-year studies at the former University of Bophuthatswana (Unibo) in 1992 and joined the South African Student Congress (Sasco).

Submitted on Thu, 06/09/2022 - 15:33

NWU ecotoxicology researchers represent Africa on a global scale

A group of 15 researchers from the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management recently presented their work at the 32nd Annual Meeting of the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC) Europe conference in Copenhagen, Denmark.

The theme for the meeting was “Towards a reduced pollution society”.

According to one of the NWU researchers, Dr Hannes Erasmus, a variety of topics were discussed, ranging from laboratory-based studies to field studies in terrestrial, fresh water and marine ecosystems.

Submitted on Thu, 06/09/2022 - 15:24

Language short learning programme to bring multilingualism to the forefront

Language traverses borders. It connects us, inspires us, educates us and enriches us. It is the fundamental tool that allows us to connect with each other. And, in a diverse, multilingual society, the more we appreciate each other’s native language, the fewer boundaries there will be between us.

Submitted on Wed, 06/08/2022 - 16:34

GDP figures show economic production is virtually back to pre-pandemic levels

It is very encouraging that the latest much-better-than-expected gross domestic product (GDP) figures for the first quarter of 2022 show a further strong recovery in the economy following the economic setbacks of the Covid-19 lockdowns and the widespread civil unrest of July 2021.

Prof Raymond Parsons, economist from the Business School of the North-West University (NWU), says the figures that were announced on 7 June 2022 reinforce the 4,9% GDP growth recorded for 2021 as a whole, after the negative -6,4% growth experienced in the previous year.

Submitted on Wed, 06/08/2022 - 09:49

NWU All Sports Chapter supports Meal-A-Day project

Ontiretse Motingwa

The All Sports Chapter (ASC) on the North-West University’s Mafikeng Campus recently hosted an inter-residence tournament in support of Student Counselling Development’s (SCD’s) Meal-A-Day project.

Students were invited to donate non-perishable goods in exchange for tickets to attend the finals of the tournament.

The Meal-A-Day project is a food security programme that provides needy students with a monthly supply of non-perishable food and other essentials such as toiletries and clothes.

Submitted on Tue, 06/07/2022 - 09:20

Terseus Liebenberg named the best coach of past three decades

 “Master”. That is a title few can lay claim to. Best of the best. That is when a profession becomes a calling and is then developed into an art. Terseus Liebenberg definitely falls into this category.

Over more than three decades his knowledge and skill have taken athletes with talent and transformed them into global stars.  

In the recent 2021–2022 SA Athletics Annual, a publication of the SA Athletics Statisticians (SAAS), Liebenberg was named the top coach of the readmission era by the executive committee of the sports body.

Submitted on Fri, 06/03/2022 - 13:50

Burger and Bossie keep the NWU undefeated

Three years and 21 games. That is how long the senior team of the North-West University (NWU) (this is now not the Varsity Cup team) has been undefeated.

On Saturday afternoon in Potchefstroom the NWU beat a star-studded Wits by 37–19 to remain undefeated in this, their eighth victory of 2022 in this year’s Predator Competition.

The second team won by 21–7, the third team by 64–12, the under 21s by 45–35 and the under 19s by 43–0.

It is clear that the NWU’s senior team has found a dream partnership in coaches Burger van der Westhuizen and Leon Boshoff.

Submitted on Fri, 06/03/2022 - 12:39