• Researchers have created a comprehensive list of indigenous names for frogs and reptiles in order to promote inclusive conservation

• People are far more likely to protect what they can name

• South Africa’s indigenous languages have long been marginalised in science

• The inclusion of indigenous names in biodiversity literature is not only good science, but also democratic

The NWU would like to express our sincere condolences to the family and friends of the 20-year old Mojalefa Reabetswe Nthebe. He was a second-year student in industrial psychology on the Vanderbijlpark Campus of the NWU. Immediately after his body was discovered the matter was reported to the police who is investigating an inquest. Protection Services is providing all possible support to the police in their investigation. As is the case after any such incident, counseling is provided to those in need of it.

The North-West University (NWU) would like to express our sincere condolences to the family and friends of Vilano Saunders who passed away during the early hours of Monday, 5 May. He was injured during a rugby match on 3 May on the Vanderbijlpark Campus. It is always tragic and heartbreaking to loose a member of our student community. We are aware of the allegations regarding the position he played in, but the NWU does not have any knowledge of Vilano being forced to play in the front row for any reason. According to information available, he had the training and experience to do so.

By Gofaone Motsamai

While the release of weevils into the hyacinth-infested waters of the Hartbeespoort Dam is a welcome development, these insects alone cannot be expected to permanently solve the dam’s pollution problem.

“The use of weevils must be part of an integrated plan to resolve the issue,” says Prof Wynand Malherbe from the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Water Research Group in the Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management.

The North-West University (NWU) is proud to announce that its soon-to-be-established medical school will be honorifically named the NWU Desmond Tutu School of Medicine.

This decision was taken in consultation with – and received the approval of – the Archbishop Desmond Tutu IP Trust.

The North-West University acknowledges receipt of a letter by Afriforum Youth dated 14 April 2025 on the above matter. NWU registrar, Prof Marlene Verhoef, has responded to the matters raised.

Read the official response here.

The North-West University (NWU) notes the correspondence from one of the student societies and media enquiries regarding an incident that occurred on 13 April 2025 at the Potchefstroom Campus. The incident is allegedly related to religious or spiritual practices in one of the ladies’ residences.

The North-West University (NWU) has again emerged as a leader in accounting education in South Africa. Its candidates achieved an overall pass rate of 95% in the January 2025 Initial Assessment of Competence (IAC) examinations of the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA) and Institute of Chartered Accountants of Namibia (ICAN).  

This compares to the national average pass rate of 70%, according to the results, which were announced on Friday, 4 April 2025.

The North-West University (NWU) has achieved a milestone with its first-ever publication in the journal Nature with Prof Thembinkosi Malevu of the subject group Physics sharing possible solutions to the risks posed by space junk.

Co-authored with Prof Richard Ocaya from the University of the Free State, the research focuses on the risks posed by space debris, pieces of old satellites and rockets, falling back to Earth.

• Hunters, especially international hunters, believe that they benefit local communities.

• International hunters spend up to four times more per visit than local hunters.

• International hunters perceive their impact to be greater than local hunters.

• The perspective of the local community is still missing.