By Oldrin Masowa

He still vividly recalls all the tragic moments like it was yesterday. The discomfort every day, the roars and sleepless nights that left him feeling powerless. But even though the torture and suffering were unbearable, even though it sometimes crippled his very being, he was never broken. Now that he is a grown man, he holds his head high and vows to put an end to gender-based violence (GBV).

It is said that one of the greatest compliments an academic can receive is to be recognised and acknowledged.

Lerato Mohalajeng, a lecturer at the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Faculty and Economic and Management Sciences and Enactus faculty co-advisor, has been named the 2022 National Faculty Advisor of the Year by Enactus South Africa.

This is in recognition of her dedication to contributing to socio-economic development through her entrepreneurial action in Enactus and her distinguished mentorship and coaching of students involved in the Enactus team.

Ontiretse Motingwa

On 17 August 2022, the Theology Student Chapter (TSC) of the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Mahikeng Campus celebrated and honoured women by hosting a candle-lighting prayer session.

Paballo Motshwaedi, chairperson of the TSC, explained that the purpose of the session was to pray for the eradication of gender-based violence, and to honour the memory of women who have died as a result of abuse.

The Vanderbijlpark Campus of the North-West University (NWU)will launch a Gender-Based Violence (GBV) Awareness campaign on 1September.

The campaign is a collaborative effort between the NWU’s Student Judicial Services, Employee Wellness and Alumni Relations, and will run until 11 October.

The North-West University (NWU) Eagles football players have had a hectic programme preparing for the 2022 Varsity Football tournament. To keep the players physically fit and mentally ready to maximally compete in this year’s tournament, the NWU counts on its physical trainer and fitness coach, Dino Rangaka.

Dino, who has been with the NWU’s Soccer Institute on the Mahikeng Campus for seven years, holds an introductory certificate on coaching from the Netherlands, and an advanced periodisation certificate from the World Football Coaching Academy.

According to Prof Chrisna Gouws, associate professor at the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Centre of Excellence for Pharmaceutical Sciences, inquisitiveness and a vigorous personality have led her to where she is today.

This dynamic researcher has a PhD in biochemistry and is well known in the scientific community for publishing numerous notable scientific papers and reviewing manuscripts for international journals.

Over the past few years, there were not nearly enough school-leaving applicants who met the minimum requirements for tertiary fields of study such as Engineering, Natural Sciences, Economic Sciences and Health Sciences. This is according to Elza Hattingh from the Faculty of Engineering at the North-West University (NWU). She heads the faculty’s Xcel programme – an initiative that offers a second chance to students who want to improve their previous Grade 12 Senior Certificate exam results in Mathematics and Physical Sciences.

North-West University (NWU) academic in the Indigenous Language Media in Africa research entity Prof Gilbert Motsaathebe recently presented a seminar titled “Multilingual online responses on the ‘Hollywood-style’ arrest of a defence lawyer in a high-profile case”.

The North-West University’s (NWU’s) Mahikeng Campus recently hosted its annual Mr and Miss Mahikeng Campus pageant and Kowan Thomas and Nontokozo Makhubu clinched the titles.

Hosted by the Student Campus Council, this annual event was supported by many students and family members at the campus’ Great Hall.

Following a tough elimination round that tested the contestants’ knowledge on social awareness, Thomas and Ntokozo emerged victorious. In addition, Thomas was also announced Mr Community.

The Covid-19 pandemic has once again highlighted the reading literacy crisis in South Africa. The inaugural 2030 Reading Panel calls for “fundamental reforms” to ensure that all children read for meaning by 2030 at the age 10. Currently, 78% of children cannot read for meaning. Due to rotational timetables and school closures in 2020 and 2021, children in South Africa have lost 1,3 years of learning.

This is according to Prof Carisma Nel from the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Faculty of Education.