Research

South Africa’s schools have not collapsed, and that is precisely why we should be worried

  • South Africa’s schools have not collapsed — but “not collapsed” must never become our standard for success. 
  • A child who cannot read for meaning by Grade 4 is not merely behind at school; that child faces a narrowed future. 
  • A country cannot build an innovation economy when hundreds of its schools do not even offer Mathematics.
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PhD study develops AI to detect misinformation in South African languages

When false information spreads online in English, artificial intelligence (AI) can often help identify it. But when the same misinformation appears in isiZulu, Sepedi or many other South African languages, the tools are limited. 

A North-West University (NWU) PhD study by Dr Seani Rananga is addressing that gap by developing multilingual AI that can detect misinformation across English, isiZulu and Sepedi, laying the groundwork for safer digital spaces in South Africa.

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Animal health centre builds a bridge between classrooms and communities

For many farmers and animal owners in the North West Province, access to animal healthcare can determine the health of their livestock, household income and food security. At the North-West University (NWU), the Dale Bieghle Animal Health Centre has become a link between academic training and community service, providing animal healthcare while preparing graduates to serve South Africa's agricultural sector.

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Building inclusive cities one conversation at a time

In an effort to continuously pave the way towards building sustainable communities, the Faculty of Law’s Chair in Cities, Law and Environmental Sustainability (CLES), funded by the National Research Foundation (NRF) as part of its South African Research Chair Initiative (SARChI), recently held its second critical conversation of the year.

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Kgodiso Development Fund partners with NWU to advance climate-resilient farming in the North West

The Kgodiso Development Fund (KDF), in partnership with the North-West University (NWU), is making significant progress on a flagship agricultural development initiative aimed at supporting emerging commercial farmers and strengthening food security in South Africa.

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Africa's classrooms must embrace AI without abandoning human-centred education

Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly reshaping education across the globe, offering unprecedented opportunities to personalise learning, improve access to knowledge and ease administrative burdens. However, Africa's education systems must ensure that technological innovation strengthens, rather than replaces, the human relationships at the heart of teaching and learning.

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IAEA delegation explores research collaboration at NWU

The North-West University (NWU) welcomed a high-level delegation from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the Department of Electricity and Energy (DEE) to its Potchefstroom Campus on Wednesday, 1 July 2026, for a strategic engagement aimed at strengthening collaboration in nuclear science, research and human capital development.

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