By Gofaone Motsamai and Phenyo Mokgothu

In a world wired for global communication, local languages are falling silent.

This was the stark message during a recent public lecture hosted at the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Mahikeng Campus, where policymakers and scholars addressed the growing threat to indigenous languages.

The lecture, held on 3 April and organised by the Indigenous Language Media in Africa (ILMA) research niche area, focused on how publishing, arts and media can contribute to language preservation.

By: Gofaone Motsamai

NWU researchers have completed a groundbreaking study that sheds light on the environmental implications of antiretroviral drugs (ARVs) in South Africa’s water resources. The report, “Quantification, fate, and hazard assessment of HIV-ARVs in water resources”, was submitted to the Water Research Commission (WRC) and is the most comprehensive study to date on the issue.

Although indigenous agricultural practices play a major role in enhancing food security in local communities, they are still undervalued, overlooked and regarded as old fashioned. A master’s student at the NWU is conducting research that could help to give indigenous agricultural practices a place in the sun.

Thato Hazel Seemise, a master’s student in indigenous knowledge systems at the Mahikeng Campus, is studying the indigenous agricultural practices used to enhance food security among the Batswana of Moruleng in the North West province.

The North-West University’s (NWU’s) Vanderbijlpark Campus has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Gauteng Department of Community Safety (GDCS) to empower communities and promote social justice, focusing on gender-based violence (GBV).

In a moment that left both her and her colleagues in awe, Suanne de Bruyn, a North-West University (NWU) alumnus and dedicated social worker at Lerato Child and Youth Care Centre (CYCC), was recently honoured with the esteemed Hope Bearer Award. This award celebrates her tireless commitment to improving the lives of children and families, especially those dealing with trauma and adversity.

A passionate call has been made to integrate indigenous knowledge of astronomy into the development of responsible astro-tourism – also known as dark sky tourism – in South Africa.

The North-West University’s (NWU’s) principal and vice-chancellor, Prof Bismark Tyobeka, has been reappointed as a member of the South African Council for the Non-Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction for a period of five years from 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2030.

This announcement was made by Mr Mpho Parks Tau, Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, on 31 March 2025.

"Education is the most powerful weapon you can use to change the world." These words by Nelson Mandela encapsulate the spirit of a recent initiative by the North-West University (NWU) Mahikeng Campus Student Campus Council (SCC).

This initiative provided primary school learners from Ditsobotla Public School in Lichtenburg, Boikhutso, with a transformative experience through an induction and university exposure programme.

"The NWU Career Services continues to take centre stage in driving efforts concerning employability, and to be a convenor of engagements related to employability for NWU graduates," said Thoriso Maseng, senior manager for Career Services and Alumni Relations, during a breakfast engagement session hosted by the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Career Services.

The event provided an opportunity for academic staff to engage with the Career Services team and explore ways to better equip students for the job market.

The North-West University (NWU) Petroglyph Research Group, which is part of the Visual Narratives and Creative Outputs (ViNCO) and Musical Arts in South Africa: Resources and Applications (MASARA) guest lecture series, recently hosted an insightful seminar on the preservation and restoration of Khoe-San rock carvings. This seminar was presented by researchers At Lamprecht, Lynette Boardman, Theuns de Klerk, and Charl Yates, who discussed their groundbreaking work, and highlighted the role of technology in the conservation of indigenous heritage.