Human Interest

Including indigenous plants in diets can boost food security

Indigenous grains, fruits and vegetables could go a long way towards boosting food security in South Africa. What is needed is greater awareness among households and other stakeholders about the value of these plants. 

This is according to two researchers from the North-West University (NWU). Dr Abiodun Olusola Omotayo and Prof Adeyemi Oladapo Aremu are from the research niche area Food Security and Safety and the Indigenous Knowledge Systems Centre in the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences.

Submitted on Wed, 08/25/2021 - 13:55

Liezl Gouws is ready to make her Paralympic mark

She has proven her resolve more than anyone of her age should have, and Liezl Gouws is ready to prove it again. This fourth-year pharmacy student from the North-West University (NWU), who has cerebral palsy after suffering a stroke as a five-year-old, will represent South Africa at the 2021 Paralympic Games in Tokyo, Japan.

Liezl will compete in the 200 m and 400 m events in the T37 category. She holds the world record in the 800 m event, but the 800 m will not be contested in the Land of the Rising Sun.

Submitted on Mon, 08/23/2021 - 11:53

Prof Lubbe’s pioneering work is being recognised internationally

In the light of Women’s Month, we are proud of one of our own frontierswomen who is being recognised internationally for her groundbreaking work in the rainbow nation. Prof Welma Lubbe, professor in the School of Nursing Science at the North-West University (NWU), was recently approached by the Developmental Observer, the official newsletter of the NIDCAP Federation International, about her work in neurodevelopmental supportive care for premature babies.

Submitted on Fri, 08/20/2021 - 08:33

The price of bullying

Some children can easily process the impact of bullying behaviour, while others struggle with the aftereffects of these traumatic events for years.

Tebello Mabusela, a counselling psychologist and psychology lecturer at the North-West University (NWU), discusses some of the consequences and the real price of bullying for some victims.

Submitted on Fri, 08/20/2021 - 08:09