As South Africans brace for a likely fourth wave of Covid-19 around November, the North-West University (NWU) is keeping the channels of communication open in a sea of confusion.

The institution hosted an online webinar on 31 August 2021 during which various issues were discussed with senior employees, partners and members of the business community. These issues included the NWU’s continued operations, the impact of Covid-19 on students, staff and communities, safety and transformation matters as well as a myriad of business-related concerns.

Even though the Covid-19 pandemic has exposed the ugly side of the country, including some unpalatable acts of thievery, it has also revealed another side of South Africans – generosity and kindness. 

Crises that start out as disruptive emergencies can soon become the new normal. This is evident from most challenges in higher education in South Africa.

Teaching and learning, in particular, have had to develop contingency plans to offset the effects of major events such as load-shedding, #FeesMustFall and, currently, the Covid-19 pandemic.

Helping staff and students to adapt is essential to weather these unforeseen storms. It requires people to seek collective wisdom, share insights and develop a workable consensus together with stakeholders.

North-West University (NWU) alumna and IT boffin Bianca Blomerus’ balanced approach to work, relaxation, and the ability to seize opportunities, has put her on the fast track to success as an engineer at South Africa’s state-owned freight rail operator, Transnet.

North-West University (NWU) alumnus Bongani Mahlangu represented South Africa at the
India Brazil South Africa (IBSA) virtual Youth Summit that took place from 26 to 28 August 2021.

In a little over two weeks, the Centre for Health and Human Performance (CHHP) at the North-West University (NWU), together with Autism South Africa (A; SA), will host their sixth National Autism Symposium. The South African Association for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Allied Professions will again join as a supporting partner.

There are numerous examples where women’s rights are still being disregarded in a traditional setting and an important aspect that has been neglected thus far is the role of women in Traditional Governance.

Despite pandemic-induced delays, the new Administration Building on the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Vanderbijlpark Campus was finally opened on 27 August 2021.

The national cricket team, the Proteas, called the North-West University “home” again when they used the university’s Sport Village in Potchefstroom as a base for their preparations.

The top echelons of any given sport are reserved for only a select few: those who – through determination – manifest their talent in their field. It is no easy task, and few succeed. When they do, their exploits are there for the world to behold – and especially at the Olympic Games.