Human Interest

The way to a (Ful)bright future

On Thursday, 4 April, a delegation from the United States (US) consulate in Johannesburg visited the North-West University (NWU) as part of their project to recruit students for and inform them about the prestigious and world-renowned Fulbright Program.

The delegation presented an information session about Fulbright opportunities, which took place at the NWU’s Potchefstroom Campus, but was also streamed to the Vanderbijlpark and Mahikeng Campus.

Submitted on Tue, 04/18/2023 - 11:20

Becoming a professor at a time of decolonisation

Prof Emmanuel Mfanafuthi Mgqwashu, the director of the Centre for Higher Education Professional Development at the North-West University (NWU), recently delivered his inaugural lecture on the Potchefstroom Campus.

The topic of his lecture was “A timely question: How can we not talk about becoming a professor in the context of decolonising higher education?”

During this lecture, Prof Mgqwashu drew from his 26 years of experience in the academia and shared critical reflections on his journey to becoming a professor.

Submitted on Tue, 04/18/2023 - 10:19

NWU Eagles are Varsity Cup champions!

They came, they saw, and they conquered. The North-West University (NWU) Eagles are the newly crowned Varsity Cup champions after beating Ikeys from the University of Cape Town (UCT) 27-25 at the Fanie du Toit Sport Grounds in Potchefstroom on Monday night, 17 April 2023.

The half-time score read 20-9 for the Eagles. This marks the first time the NWU Eagles won the trophy since 2016, and the second time overall.

Submitted on Mon, 04/17/2023 - 21:57

NWU Soccer Institute secures a spot in the ABC Motsepe League provincial playoffs

The North-West University (NWU) Soccer Institute has secured a spot in the North West ABC Motsepe League Provincial playoffs and will be facing well-known opponent Orbit College FC.

The two teams will be facing each other in the provincial playoffs for the second year. In the 2022 playoffs, the NWU won the game, and they are geared to be crowned North West ABC Motsepe league champions for 2023 too.

Submitted on Fri, 04/14/2023 - 11:34

Passionate young water professionals win the Wetskills Water Challenge

Seipati Poopedi, a master’s student at the North-West University (NWU), recently participated in the Wetskills Water Challenge in Cape Town and her team walked away with the spoils.

Her team members were Tariro Marekwa, an MSc student from the University of Cape Town, Dr Fulya Kandamir from Antalya Metropolitan Municipality Climate Change in Turkey, Zanele Lulane of the Joint River Basin Authorities Project Board in Eswatini, and Nomandla Nxusa from Rand Water South Africa.

Submitted on Fri, 04/14/2023 - 11:21

Debate Union team takes part in Jozi Rumble Tournament

The Debating Union on the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Mahikeng Campus took part in the annual Jozi Rumble Tournament, hosted by the University of Witwatersrand from 7 to 9 April 2023.

The Jozi Rumble is a significant part of African debating history. The tournament explores the developmental aspects of African debating, and promote a culture of excellence. This year marked the 11th rendition of the tournament.

The Mahikeng Campus was represented by team members Abel Kayeye and Orefile Babeile and adjudicator Sandile Mbizeni.

Submitted on Thu, 04/13/2023 - 11:44

Guiding Grade 9 learners on their path to success

You should start planning your future career as early as in Grade 9. This was what North-West University (NWU) statistics lecturer Dr Piet Ntema, told Grade 9 learners during a recent career guidance workshop.

Dr Ntema hosted the workshop in partnership with the office of Prof Rodney Medupe, deputy dean for community engagement and stakeholder relations at the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, and Phomolong Community Library.

Submitted on Wed, 04/12/2023 - 12:40

Cycling team brings home gold

The NWU/CycloDNA team performed exceptionally well at the 2023 South African National Track and Para-Cycling Championships. They won two gold medals within the first two days of the event, which took place at the Belville Velodrome in Cape Town from 1 to 5 April.

Prof Pieter Kruger, director of the NWU Centre for Health and Human Performance (CHHP), participated in the 20 km race for veterans (aged 40 to 49) on Tuesday and successfully defended his title as winner, while earning UCI points for his ranking as a male road cycling rider.

Submitted on Wed, 04/12/2023 - 09:57

Short story one of only three in SA shortlisted for prestigious prize

A student from the North-West University (NWU) is one of 28 writers from 19 countries whose short story has been shortlisted by an international judging panel for the 2023 Commonwealth Short Story Prize.

Matshediso Radebe, a third-year communication student at the NWU’s Potchefstroom Campus, is also one of only three writers from South Africa ― and one of only six writers from Africa ― who has been shortlisted for the prestigious prize.

Submitted on Tue, 04/11/2023 - 15:11