In the shadow of state capture, pervasive corruption, and eroding public trust, a vital line of defence remains: investigative journalism. In a recent panel discussion titled “Investigative Journalism in Defence of Democracy,” facilitated by the NWU Business School, columnist and analyst Khaya Sithole moderated a conversation with journalists Pauli van Wyk from Investec, Kyle Cowan from Media24, and Sikonathi Mantshantsha from News24 to unpack the difficult realities of holding power to account in South Africa.

The North-West University (NWU) South African Board for People Practices (SABPP) Student Chapter, in collaboration with the School of Industrial Psychology and Human Resource Management, commemorated Freedom Day on 22 April 2026 under the theme “Celebrating Freedom Day Through Diversity and Excellence in Diversity Management”.

The office of the campus chief director at the Vanderbijlpark Campus of the North-West University (NWU) recently hosted the BOMA Dialogue with the CCD, a strategic leadership initiative aimed at strengthening student engagement, promoting accountability and cultivating a new generation of responsible student leaders.

Innovation is at the heart of progress, and this April, the Technology Transfer and Innovation Support (TTIS) office at the North-West University (NWU) joins the global community in celebrating World Intellectual Property Day (WIPD).

Observed annually on 26 April, WIPD shines a spotlight on how intellectual property (IP) – from patents and trademarks to copyright and designs – shapes everyday life and fuels creativity across industries.

It is the battle of the billionaires as two of the most powerful heavyweights in the tech industry will step into the ring on Monday 27 April in Oakland, California, when Elon Musk’s lawsuit against Sam Altman goes to trial.

The North-West University (NWU) continues to advance its commitment to student success and holistic development through strategic partnerships and knowledge exchange.

In this regard, the acting campus director for student life on the Potchefstroom Campus, Funani Mabala, led a delegation on a benchmarking visit to the University of Pretoria from 19 to 23 April 2026.

The 2026 Varsity Cup Young Guns (YS) campaign may be over, but the FNB NWU YGs have once again proven why they remain one of the toughest sides in the competition. Although they fell short of winning the title, the season offered valuable lessons in growth and resilience.

The NWU YGs failed to reach the semi-finals for the first time in seven years, and this highlights the competitiveness of the tournament and the magnitude of the challenge they faced.

The North-West University (NWU) Green Team is turning small environmental actions into sustained community impact, with recent initiatives showing how student-led efforts are reshaping public spaces while building a culture of responsibility among young people.

A tree-planting initiative and a large-scale clean-up campaign, both held in March 2026 with support from the Safety, Health and Environment (SHE) department, have highlighted the focus of the group on environmental awareness, collaboration and long-term sustainability.

According to North-West University (NWU) principal and vice-chancellor Prof. Bismark Tyobeka higher education institutions have a role to play in supporting governance reform at local municipalities - many of which are in disarray.

“Universities can contribute to the rehabilitation of local government through research, skills development and evidence-based policy input,” he said during a public lecture by Dr Ben Bole, head of the Department for North West Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) on13 April.

The North-West University’s (NWU’s) School of Agricultural Sciences has been recognised for its skills development at the South Africa Leadership Awards 2026.

The award, presented on 13 April in Johannesburg, places the school among institutions acknowledged for advancing capacity building and training across sectors.

Director of the School of Agricultural Sciences, Prof. Simon Letsoalo, said the award reflects the collective effort of staff and students in advancing agricultural education and skills development.