Human Interest

From waste to compost

By Kangwa Nkonde

An initiative by Dr Willem van Niekerk, a senior lecturer in the North-West University’s (NWU’s) School of Mechanical Engineering, aims to assist the community in turning waste into compost.

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Prof Lebo Gafane-Matemane to lead mentorship initiatives at international level

Prof Lebo Gafane-Matemane, associate professor of Physiology and community engagement champion at the Hypertension in Africa Research Team (HART) in the Faculty of Health Sciences, has been appointed as the new chair of the International Society of Hypertension (ISH) Mentorship and Training Committee (MTC).

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South African institutions collaborate to celebrate World Intellectual Property Day 2024

On 16 April 2024, the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC) will join forces with various institutions to launch the World Intellectual Property Day (WIPD) celebrations. They are the North-West University (NWU), the Department of Trade, Industry, and Competition (DTIC), the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI), the National Intellectual Property Management Office (NIPMO), the Technology Innovation Agency (TIA), and the Small Enterprise Development Agency (SEDA).

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Tennis continues to triumph at the NWU

Languages with origins from across the world were heard, and the tennis courts at the Fanie du Toit Sports Grounds at the North-West University (NWU) became a global village during the recent hosting of two junior ITF tournaments.

The upsurge in the number of tennis tournaments hosted by the NWU has been something to behold, and can be attributed to the new clay courts at the Potchefstroom Campus as well as the superlative organising and coaching team.

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Reserve Bank remains highly cautious amid uncertainties

“While most analysts believe that, barring shocks, rates have now peaked in South Africa, the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) for understandable reasons still sees inflation risks as being on the upside.”

In commenting on the decision by the MPC on 27 March to again leave interest rates unchanged, Prof Raymond Parsons, economist at the North-West University (NWU) Business School, says it was widely expected that interest rates would be left unchanged.

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Academic explores customary law among Khoi-San communities

Prof Christa Rautenbach, a lecturer at the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Faculty of Law, recently delivered a keynote address titled "Reviving and recognising customary law: traditional leadership and governance among Khoi-San communities" at the Commission on Khoi-San Matters Research Symposium in Cape Town.

The symposium was a collaborative effort between the Commission on Khoi-San Matters and esteemed academic institutions, such as the University of the Western Cape, University of Stellenbosch, University of Johannesburg, Sol Plaatje University and Rhodes University.

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Soccer Institute's u-21 team gears up for the Pirates Cup tournament

By Phenyo Mokgothu and Lerato Tshweu

The North-West University (NWU) Soccer Institute's under-21 team is gearing up for a thrilling challenge as they prepare to compete in the Pirates Cup tournament, one of South Africa's most esteemed youth soccer competitions.

Set to kick off at the Wits Marks Park Sports Grounds, the tournament promises intense matches starting on 28 March.

In the first round the team will face formidable opponents, including Vhembe Cora Academy, TUT Emalahleni and Midlands Academy.

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VC calls for introduction of meritocratic approach to appointment of executives and board members in SOEs

A continued downward trajectory is the only possible forecast for South Africa’s state-owned enterprises (SOEs) if political appointments in SOEs continue to take precedence over expertise.

This is according to Prof Bismark Tyobeka, principal and vice-chancellor of the North-West University (NWU). Prof Tyobeka says this is not only an inescapable truth, but a gross dereliction of duty by those in key positions, which serves to hamper economic growth to the detriment of the country’s struggling citizens.

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