Prof Linda du Plessis, Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Teaching and Learning at the North-West University (NWU), explains why the ongoing dysfunction within the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) and various Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs) is not only jeopardising the futures of vulnerable students but also placing immense strain on South Africa’s public universities. While attention has focused on student hardships, the crippling operational, financial and reputational toll on universities has gone largely unnoticed.

The 30% tariff decision by the United States is not good news for the South African economy, and its potentially negative economic impact should not be underestimated.

Prof Raymond Parsons, economist from the North-West University (NWU) Business School, says while not unexpected, the decision creates a challenging economic headwind for South Africa.

The South African Centre for Digital Language Resources (SADiLaR) at the North-West University (NWU) hosted its third successful externship for the Department of Languages, Cultural Studies and Applied Linguistics (LanCSAL) students from the University of Johannesburg on 12 June 2025.

The day-long online engagement was designed to give students practical exposure to the diverse and evolving career paths available in the language practice field, particularly in digital and computational contexts.

By Phenyo Mokgothu and Gofaone Motsamai

In yet another impressive show of strength, the bodybuilding team from the North-West University (NWU) has won the Bodybuilding Championships of University Sports South Africa (USSA) for the second consecutive year.

The 280-strong team successfully defended their title against athletes from nine other universities participating in the competition, held on 28 June 2025 at Durban University of Technology in Pietermaritzburg.

A law librarian from the North-West University (NWU) will represent South Africa on an international stage later this year after securing a travel grant to attend a global legal information conference in the United States.

Maropene Thomas Ramabina, faculty librarian for law at the NWU’s Vanderbijlpark Campus, is the recipient of the Non-Member Grant from the International Association of Law Libraries (IALL). The grant, worth up to US$3 000, will support his participation at the 43rd Annual Conference of the IALL in Houston, Texas, from 19 to 23 October 2025.

By Gofaone Motsamai and Nikelo Mehlomakulu

The Indian Ocean is the third-largest ocean, serving as a lifeline for international trade and transport. South Africa is a key player in the 23-country Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA), and the North-West University (NWU) is an integral part of the IORA Academic Group, which promotes collaboration among universities, governments and communities in the region.

Leaky, dilapidated water lines are being replaced at the North-West University (NWU) to reduce water losses and conserve water more effectively. One such rehabilitation project is under way at the Mahikeng Campus.

What was once a neglected water system is now central to the university’s Waterwise Project, as it forms the backbone of a new plan to treat, distribute, and monitor clean water on campus.

Waterwise is a long-term infrastructure overhaul aimed at saving, cleaning and recycling water, and making the university water resilient.

The North-West University (NWU) continues to take pride in the remarkable achievements of alumni who actively make impactful and valuable contributions in all spheres of society – both locally and internationally.

The North-West University (NWU) in partnership with the Strategic Dialogue Group (SDG) and the Thabo Mbeki Foundation will host former President Thabo Mbeki for the inaugural session of the national dialogue discussions.

This event takes place on Saturday, 5 July 2025, at the Auditorium on the NWU’s Potchefstroom Campus from 09:00 to 14:30 and attendees can join either in-person, or online.

By Gofaone Motsamai and Nikelo Mehlomakulu

It was not just a gathering; it was a breaking of the silence around men’s mental health struggles. On 26 June 2025, the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Mahikeng Campus became a space where men exchanged ego for honesty, and bravado for openness.

The NWU alumni men’s mental health workshop brought together graduates, professionals and mentors for a conversation about what it means to be a man in a society that teaches boys to hold back pain.