By Bonolo Monaisa

Students and staff from the North-West University (NWU) recently attended the 28th South African Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (SBMB) Congress in Polokwane on 10 July 2024.

Hosted by the University of Venda, the congress was themed "Biochemistry Leading the Future" and attracted more than 350 delegates from around the globe.

Tsholofelo Moloi, Sinenhlanhla Mthembu, Marakia Moetlediwa and Masibulele Mdutyana were among the students in attendance.

By Keaoleboga Motshabi

Two alumni from the North-West University (NWU), Tumelo Malebelela and Mapule Sechogo, have been recognised for their exceptional teaching abilities.

Tumelo was honoured at the Ngaka Modiri Molema district Teaching Awards and will represent the district at the Provincial Awards in August 2024.His dedication to education was previously acknowledged when he received the Teacher’s Award in the Excellence in Secondary Teaching category during the North West Provincial Teaching Awards in 2023.

North-West University (NWU) academic Prof Olubukola Oluranti Babalola and student Sinenhlanhla Mthembu have been named finalists for the 2024 South African Women in Science Awards (SAWiSA).

These awards recognise outstanding contributions by women in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).

Prof Babalola and Sinenhlanhla will join other distinguished women at the awards ceremony on 15 August in Mbombela.

The Employee Wellness unit at the North-West University's (NWU’s) Vanderbijlpark Campus will be hosting an interactive Men’s Health and Wellbeing Awareness session on 25 July at 09:00 on the Vanderbijlpark Campus. The session will be interactive, allowing both online and in-person attendees to engage with the facilitators.

Event organiser and employee wellness specialist Genevieve Poodhun says they decided to host this session as statistics and input from internal and external stakeholders indicate that men underutilise available health and wellness services.

The North-West University (NWU) is set to host the second Vice-Chancellor’s Science Day at Taung in the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District on 30 and 31 July 2024.

This event aims to engage rural communities through science-based activities, particularly targeting approximately 1 200 learners in Grades 10 to 12.

North-West University (NWU) alumnus Kgalalelo Pakwe, an entrepreneur and forensic analyst for the South African Police Service, has created an innovative health product, Flu-Away Shots.

With a BSc in biological and environmental science and an honours degree in microbiology, Kgalalelo developed Flu-Away Shots to help boost the immune system, particularly during the winter months when flu is more prevalent.

Commemorating Nelson Mandela Day on 18 July 2024, the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Khayelitsha residence on the Mahikeng Campus spent 67 minutes at the Mahikeng Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) centre.

“When we think about community engagement work, advocacy for animal rights often takes a backseat to other issues in society. Our residence initiative to partner with the Mahikeng SPCA aims to raise awareness about the rights of animals in society, and advocate for their care,” says Fazlin Lahri, residence administrator.

The School of Languages and the Language Directorate at the North-West University (NWU) are collaborating with the Centre for Teaching and Learning (CTL) to host a Multilingual Symposium.

This symposium, taking place on 29 August, will be the main event at the NWU’s Language Awareness Week that will take place from 26 to 30 August.

Three players from the North-West University (NWU) Soccer Institute played for the South African teams that won gold at the regional Confederation of University and Colleges Sports Associations (CUCSA) games at the Tshwane University of Technology's Pretoria Campus.

Lesego Motsepe and Lucky Letwaba were selected for the men’s team, and Lethabo Moemi for the women's team. Both teams won gold during the games.

South Africa’s Government of National Unity (GNU) has seen the majority of its ministries experiencing a change in leadership, with the Ministry of Police now being led by Minister Senzo Mchunu, with deputy ministers Cassel Mathale and Polly Boshielo.