Experts

NWU academic says public service strike will have very negative effects on SA

Workers in the public sector are furious with government, accusing it of negotiating “in bad faith” after wage negotiations collapsed following the employer’s 3% wage offer.

Only one of the unions represented, the South African Democratic Teachers Union, has accepted the offer.

Thousands of workers were expected to picket countrywide to demonstrate their unhappiness with the offer on Monday, 31 October. Read more here.

Submitted on Tue, 11/01/2022 - 09:54

NWU principal and vice-chancellor honoured with appointment as adjunct professor at top US university

The dream of the North-West University (NWU) to be an internationally recognised university was recently given a boost by the appointment of its principal and vice-chancellor as adjunct professor at one of the top universities in the United States of America.

Submitted on Tue, 11/01/2022 - 08:51

Minister delivers realistic and credible fiscal message in budget statement

“Against the background of difficult global and domestic economic circumstances Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana generally delivered a realistic and credible fiscal message in the Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS) today.”

In commenting on the MTBPS, Prof Raymond Parsons, economist from the Business School of the North-West University (NWU), says South Africa’s public finances have now been put on a much more sustainable basis.

He points out that both expenditure and revenue are good-news stories that help to build economic resilience.

Submitted on Thu, 10/27/2022 - 09:10

Bringing biokinetics to the public sector

Prof Hanlie Moss, research director of PhASRec (Physical Activity, Sport and Recreation) at the North-West University (NWU), completed her master’s degree in Biochemistry, although she has always had a profound interest in the way the human body moves.

She coached gymnastics while completing a BSc in Physiology and Biochemistry and decided to study human movement science to become a better coach.

Submitted on Tue, 09/06/2022 - 11:45

Sustainable growth strategies and African Union (AU) Agenda 2063 - Interview with Minister Naledi Pandor

The North-West University Business School's Prof Raymond Parsons interviews Minister Naledi Pandor and unpacks the Department of International Relations and Cooperation’s (DIRCO’s) vision and mission in Africa and to examine whether the relationship between DIRCO and business can be strengthened for this purpose.

To this end the role of diplomatic missions on the continent and their interaction with South African business has been interrogated in this video to see in what ways South Africa’s economic interests in Africa can be further promoted and expanded.

Submitted on Fri, 06/24/2022 - 08:49

South Africa needs to maximise job creation at any given growth rate

“The slightly better news on the unemployment front is a welcome trend, as it comes after a prolonged period of persistent deterioration in South African employment levels in recent times.”

In commenting on the latest unemployment figures for the first quarter of 2022, Prof Raymond Parsons, economist from the Business School of the North-West University (NWU), says to a large extent this development follows South Africa’s strong economic recovery in 2021 from the pandemic lockdowns, and should be viewed in the light of the inevitable time lags.

Submitted on Tue, 05/31/2022 - 15:20

Law professor improves previous NRF rating of C to a great B

Prof Christa Rautenbach’s hard work on legal pluralism and cultural diversity finally paid off when she received a B-rating in the highly competitive rating process of the National Research Foundation (NRF).

One of her reviewers remarked that her “research is significant for legal pluralism and development in postcolonial developmental settings, where law reforms must be mindful of the continued relevance of indigenous laws”.

Submitted on Wed, 05/18/2022 - 09:36

Researcher rings alarm bells over use of alcohol among students

Mafumane Thlapi

High prevalence rates of alcohol use among students in higher education are a public health concern. This is according to a study conducted by Prof Miriam Moagi from the School of Nursing at the North-West University (NWU).

Prof Moagi reviewed existing evidence to address alcohol abuse among students from a demand-reduction approach. The article is from her PhD study, which was guided by the National Drug Master Plan (NDMP) pillars 2013–2017. The three pillars are demand reduction, harm reduction and supply reduction.

Submitted on Wed, 03/30/2022 - 10:37

Project explores how to boost profitability of indigenous language media

The research niche area Indigenous Language Media in Africa (ILMA) at the North-West University (NWU) is embarking on a three-year research project to assist South Africa’s struggling indigenous language media.

The past few years have seen massive closures and restructuring of media houses in South Africa, partly due to the introduction of digital platforms and social media, leading to a steady decline in advertising revenues and circulation.

Submitted on Tue, 03/29/2022 - 16:00

Covid-19 pandemic has further weakened South Africa’s fragile peace

In the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, the exclusion of even more South African residents from economic activity has further weakened the country’s already fragile peace.

This is one of the conclusions drawn by North-West University (NWU) academic Dr Gideon van Riet, who recently published an article based on three years of research in the JB Marks Municipality. The research focused on investigating the link between the Covid-19 pandemic and South Africa’s fragile peace through the lens of crime.

Submitted on Tue, 03/29/2022 - 13:42