A cut-down piano that emits a single high-pitched note drew students and academics into a discussion on memory, absence and artistic practice when the North-West University (NWU) hosted one of the country’s leading art awards.

The university hosted the Helgaard Steyn Award for Sculpture 2025 at the NWU Gallery, bringing together artists, academics and representatives from the Helgaard Steyn Trust. The award, regarded as the largest art prize in South Africa, forms part of a four-year cycle that alternates between sculpture, painting, musical composition and literary arts.

Thousands of abandoned mining tailings dams across South Africa continue to expose gaps in environmental regulation, placing communities and ecosystems at risk.

Researcher Thandolwakhe Mokotedi from the Faculty of Law at the North-West University (NWU) says that “the regulation of tailings dams in South Africa remains an area of environmental law that requires immediate attention.” According to her research, there are an estimated 6 000 abandoned and unrehabilitated tailings dams posing a persistent environmental challenge.

Family disputes are traumatic, especially for the young and vulnerable involved. Resolving issues such as divorce is difficult and painful. However, South Africa’s overloaded courts, delays in custody arrangements, prolonged conflict between parents and mounting legal costs mean that children are ultimately the ones who pay.

The North-West University (NWU) bhive Early Development Centre (EDC) on the Vanderbijlpark Campus recently came alive with activity when it hosted an engaging early childhood development (ECD) training session for members of the Vaal United Business Forum (VUBF).

Twenty-eight-year-old Kamohelo Zwane, a former chairperson of the Student Representative Council (SRC) at the Vanderbijlpark Campus of the North-West University (NWU), an honours degree holder and now an administrator on the Vanderbijlpark Campus, is on a mission to change lives.

With the launch of the Amukeleni Youth Development Organisation, Kamohelo aims to empower South Africans from all walks of life – whether formally educated or not – to pursue their dreams, reclaim lost opportunities and realise their full potential.

Kamogelo Mongale, a student at North-West University’s (NWU’s) Mahikeng Campus, is gearing up to represent the university in karate at the upcoming FISU World University Games in Brazil.

Learning of his selection during the University Sports South Africa competitions, Kamogelo, who is pursuing a BSc in computer sciences and mathematics, was thrilled at the opportunity. "I was excited and looking forward to the challenge ahead," he said, acknowledging the significance of representing his university on the global stage.

Opinion by Dr Olebogeng Baikgaki, North-West University (NWU) academic in Transport Economics and Logistics

North West Transport Investments SOC Ltd (NTI), through its subsidiaries North West Star and Atteridgeville Bus Services, was founded in 1973 in the former Bophuthatswana as a government-owned entity.

The FNB North-West University (NWU) Eagles booked their place in the 2026 Varsity Cup Final in emphatic fashion, dismantling FNB Maties 50 – 10 in a blockbuster semi-final fixture at the Fanie du Toit Sportsgrounds on Monday, 6 April. The dominant victory extends the Eagles’ unbeaten home run and avenges their 26 – 30 defeat to Maties in their round-six clash at the Danie Craven Stadium on 23 March.

The North-West University (NWU) Mahikeng Stadium has been approved to host matches in the Motsepe Foundation Championship, underlining the university’s ability to provide facilities that comply with the requirements for professional football in South Africa.

The FNB North-West University (NWU) Eagles secured a dramatic, hard-fought 56 -53 victory over the FNB University of Cape Town (UCT) Ikeys on Monday, 20 March in front of a boisterous crowd at the Fanie Du Toit Stadium. In a game of two halves, defined by moments of magic and mistakes, the Eagles were waiting in the wings.