The Vaal River – one of the most important water sources in South Africa – is currently “surviving but not thriving”, according to North-West University (NWU) researcher Prof. Wynand Malherbe, who is studying the ecological health of the river in the Vredefort Dome area.

Although the river continues to sustain aquatic life, increasing levels of pollution are placing severe pressure on the ecosystem.

The phrase “surviving but not thriving”, originally coined by a journalist from the Parys Gazette, captures the delicate state of the river, Prof. Malherbe explains.

The North-West University (NWU) buzzed with energy and purpose recently as the Gender-Responsive Opportunities for Women in Academia (GROW) Gender Summit 2026 brought together a powerhouse of professors, scholars and change-makers from across the globe at the Tsebonokeng Hall on the Vanderbijlpark Campus.

There was a gentle sense of celebration in the air as guests gathered at Kleinbosch Wedding Venue for the launch of Happiness, Unhappiness, and Chance by Anné Hendrik Verhoef.

Friends, colleagues and members of the university community came together not only to celebrate a new book, but also to reflect on one of the most enduring questions in life: what does it really mean to be happy?

Every step counted on Saturday 7 March as students, staff and the community at NWU Vanderbijlpark Campus laced up their running shoes to participate in the meaningful ‘Running for Impact’ initiative, which supports NWU’s Meal-A-Day programme.

Organised by the Development and Fundraising Department in partnership with the Genese Running Club, the event saw participants donate non-perishable food items and toiletries. These donations will be distributed to students who rely on the programme’s support, which aims to ensure that no student goes to bed hungry.

The principal and vice-chancellor of the North-West University (NWU), Prof. Mzubanzi Bismark Tyobeka, recently participated in the Nuclear Forum at the Africa Energy Indaba, one of the premier platforms on the continent for dialogue on energy security, policy and innovation.

The Africa Energy Indaba brings together policymakers, energy experts, academics and industry leaders from across Africa and beyond to deliberate on sustainable energy solutions that can drive economic development while addressing the growing energy demands of the continent.

The good news is that, compared with gross domestic product (GDP) growth rates of 0,8% and 0,5% in 2023 and 2024, respectively, growth improved to 1,1% in 2025.

Prof. Raymond Parsons, economist from the North-West University (NWU) Business School, says the latest figures for 2025 that were released by StatsSA confirm that South Africa has been experiencing a slow and uneven economic recovery over the past year.

He says household spending continues to do much of the heavy lifting in sustaining economic activity.

Prof. Rorisang Machailo from the School of Nursing in the Faculty of Health Sciences at the North-West University (NWU) has been appointed as the nursing practice portfolio chair at the Forum for University Nursing Departmental heads of South Africa (FUNDISA).

Her appointment recognises her knowledge of clinical practice and her commitment to maintaining high nursing standards in the profession. FUNDISA brings together heads of nursing departments from public universities across South Africa to guide the development of nursing education and professional practice.

The School of Industrial Psychology and Human Resource Management at the North-West University (NWU) marked an important milestone on 6 March 2026 with the official launch of the student chapter of the South African Board for People Practices (SABPP).

The establishment of the chapter strengthens professional development opportunities for students pursuing careers in human resource management and industrial psychology, while creating a direct link between students and the professional body that regulates and promotes ethical HR practices in South Africa.

International Mother Language Day is celebrated globally every year on 21 February to promote linguistic and cultural diversity and multilingualism. First proclaimed by UNESCO in November 1999, the day honours the students in Dhaka, Bangladesh, who bravely fought in 1952 for the recognition of the Bengali language.

A rainy afternoon at the iconic JB Marks Oval on 4 March 2026 may have brought play to a halt, but it did little to dampen the significance of the moment as the North-West University (NWU) and North West Cricket (NWC) marked the strengthening of their partnership during the One Day Cup clash between the North West Dragons and the DP World Lions.

While the match itself was cancelled due to rain, the partnership launch went ahead, emphasising the shared commitment that extends far beyond a single fixture.