The high calibre of postgraduate research at the North-West University (NWU) has been nationally recognised. Seven NWU students were awarded top honours at the South African Institute of Physics (SAIP) annual conference, the country’s leading platform for physics scholars.

The awards span three fields: space science, astrophysics and condensed matter physics. Six students from the NWU’s Centre for Space Research (CSR) and one student from the Physics subject group walked away with the spoils.

The involvement of students from the North-West University's (NWU’s) Mahikeng Campus in the recent National School Sport Championships marks another significant milestone in the university’s growing partnership with the North West Provincial Department of Sport, Arts and Culture.

They hardly put a foot wrong. With flair and dazzling dance performances, the Dance Sport team of the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Mahikeng Campus has successfully defended their title as University Sports South Africa (USSA) Dance Sport champions.

The NWU team of 20 athletes competed against dancers from 13 South African universities in a tournament hosted by the University of KwaZulu-Natal Westville Campus in Durban from 28 June to 3 July.

By Gofaone Motsamai and Phenyo Mokgothu

A partnership with the common goal of producing researchers ready to respond to the needs of society has unlocked full bursaries for nine postgraduate chemistry students from the North-West University (NWU). This is one of the results of the ongoing partnership between the university and the Sasol Foundation.

The scholarships, awarded under the National Research Foundation-Sasol Foundation Scholarship Programme, are for the 2025 academic year and were confirmed during a visit to the Mahikeng Campus.

For years, the bodybuilding team of the Vanderbijlpark Campus of the North-West University (NWU) has been a consistent force, never dropping out of the top three at the University Sports South Africa (USSA) Bodybuilding Championships.

2025 was no different, as they once again showcased their class at the USSA Bodybuilding and CrossFit Championships hosted by the Durban University of Technology in Pietermaritzburg on 28 June.

The North-West University’s (NWU) Vanderbijlpark Campus burst into life on June 16 as it welcomed back former students, staff, and community partners for its inaugural Alumni and Friends Sports Fun Day. The event, held on Youth Day, blended athletic energy with heartfelt reconnection, marking a new chapter in alumni engagement through the unifying power of sport.

In celebration of Youth Month – a time to recognise the boldness, creativity and grit of South Africa’s emerging leaders – we spotlight Cimoné Louw, a dynamic 26-year-old whose career path proves that precision, purpose and passion are a powerful combination.

What did you study at the NWU?

I studied Forensic Accounting at the North-West University.

What is your current profession/occupation?

I am a forensic accountant at StoneTurn and the owner of a small business called Cfisticated.

By Phenyo Mokgothu and Gofaone Motsamai

Five speakers from the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Mahikeng Campus Debate Union proved their strength at a national debate and public-speaking competition held at the University of the Free State.

“We chose the speakers from the internal public-speaking competition, and they showed they have what it takes to compete at national level,” says Sandile Mbizeni, chief adjudicator of the Debate Union.

A call has gone out to stakeholders in the North West Province to be part of the process of unlocking the economic potential of “matekwane” - the Setswana word for cannabis - for the benefit of rural communities.

The South African Statistical Association (SASA) has announced the winner of its 2024/25 Honours Bursary Competition. Relebohile Makhanya, a student from North-West University’s (NWU’s) Mahikeng Campus, has been awarded the bursary valued at R50 000.

The competition is open to third-year students in statistics or mathematical statistics who plan to pursue honours studies at a South African university. It aims to support academic progress and address financial need in the field.