By Menziwa Msibi

Representatives from the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Education and Human Rights in Diversity (Edu-HRight) research unit, recently embarked on a visit to the University of Crete in Greece to strengthen the two institutions’ longstanding research partnership.

Prof Charl Wolhuter, Prof Ewelina Niemczyk and Prof Johan Botha also participated in the TASTstrategy Conference on Education, aimed at addressing the prevalent issue of skills mismatch between education and employment.

As next year’s much-anticipated national elections draw closer and election fever starts to build, electoral matters will soon be taking centre stage.

Naledi Modise, a political science lecturer from the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Mahikeng Campus, believes the current format of the Electoral Amendment Bill, as well as the legal challenges it faces and how they unfold, will determine the political future of South Africa.

Staff from the North-West University's (NWU’s) Vanderbijlpark Campus recently gathered at the Big Lapa for a mid-year event to celebrate their hard work and dedication.

The mad hatter-themed event was a playful and whimsical affair, with colleagues donning colourful and creative hats, props and decorations to mark the occasion. Anna Jantjie and Corlia Gouws each won a R300 voucher for best-dressed female.

By Menziwa Msibi

The North-West University’s (NWU’s) School of Nursing, in collaboration with the North West Department of Basic Education, recently presented a disability workshop at Orion in Rustenburg.

The workshop was attended by employees with disabilities from the department, representing all the districts in the North West province.

Senior academic Prof Leepilo Sehularo represented the School of Nursing and shared a presentation on mental health issues related to disability.

Pride Month is observed every June, with its main aim being to simultaneously honour the movement for LGBTQIA+ rights and celebrate the community’s culture. Kurt Naicker, senior lecturer at the Vanderbijlpark Campus, shares his thoughts on the experiences of the LGBTQIA+ community.

The Faculty of Health Sciences at the North-West University (NWU) is incredibly proud of Prof Ankebé Kruger, who has been appointed as the South African student team’s team psychologist for the World University Games in Chengdu, China this July. This significant role speaks volumes regarding Prof Kruger's capabilities as a sports psychologist and her remarkable track record of effectively restoring and preserving the mental health and well-being of competing sportsmen and -women across disciplines.

She is one of the tallest netball players in the country, but there seem to be no end to the heights Elmeré van den Berg can achieve on the netball court.

The 1,91m beanpole who hails from Bloemfontein, matriculated from Jim Fouché High School before joining the North-West University (NWU) where she is currently enrolled in a sports coaching and human movement sciences course.

She quickly made waves on the netball court – catching the eyes of national selectors – and greater accolades soon followed.

North-West University (NWU) alumni Anke Rothmann, Lebohang Raputsoe and Ané Oosthuysen secured a spot among the prestigious top 12 finalists in the Miss South Africa competition.

Anke, Lebohang and Ané will now compete with their fellow finalists to follow in the footsteps of Ndavi Nokeri, Miss South Africa 2022.The final event will take place on Sunday,13 August 2023, at the SunBet Arena in Time Square, Pretoria.

Beauty and brains

Imagine for a moment that you are standing in a long hallway. On either side of you there are numerous open doors. As you make your way to the exit, each one of these doors close once you walk past them. These doors signify development opportunities, and the hallway represents your journey from early childhood through the various stages of adolescence. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to look back and know that you stepped through each of those doors?

By Mafumane Tlhapi and Phenyo Mokgothu

The North-West University (NWU) mourns the passing of Mme Grace Masuku, an expert in indigenous knowledge systems. She was honoured with the NWU Chancellor Award in 2013.

Nkoko Grace Masuku was laid to rest on 18 June 2023, in her village of Lekutung near Moruleng in Rustenburg, North West. The 91-year-old indigenous knowledge holder and practitioner, a former principal and respected elder of the Bakgatla baa Kgafela Royal family, passed away on 12 June 2023.