The allegations against the South African police minister are indeed serious and damaging, further eroding the little trust that citizens still have in institutions.

According to Thabang Motswaledi, a political analyst at the North-West University (NWU), the allegations have placed the already preoccupied Government of National Unity (GNU) under even greater strain, and put President Cyril Ramaphosa into a position where he must choose between government and party politics.

South Africa’s failure to manage waste properly is no longer just an environmental issue; it is a growing legal, health and human rights concern and without urgent reform, the costs will continue to mount in landfills and lives.

With nearly a third of households lacking access to formal waste removal, communities increasingly rely on open dumping, backyard burning and unregulated landfill use, exposing themselves to serious health and environmental hazards.

On Thursday, 24 July, the 2025 Leopards Lair® Student Pitching event showcased a vibrant celebration of innovative ideas. Held at the D’Vine VenU on the Potchefstroom Campus, the event highlighted exceptional student talent across two categories: Side Hustles and Research-Based Ventures.

TTIS and the bhive Enterprise Development Centre collaborated to host an event that brought together a panel of esteemed judges, industry professionals, staff, and students, creating an atmosphere of ambition and creativity.

The North-West University (NWU) recently hosted a transformative STEP train-the-trainer (TTT) programme, further cementing its commitment to cultivating an entrepreneurial mindset among students and communities.

The week-long initiative, held at the NWU’s Mahikeng Campus, brought together educators, trainers and innovation champions to deepen their expertise in entrepreneurship facilitation and expand their collective impact.

Tanya Lerm never imagined herself in the aerospace sector. But nearly seven years after joining NewSpace Systems, she now leads it.

“Stepping into the role of CEO at NewSpace Systems has been one of the most significant moments of my career, both professionally and personally,” said Tanya, who holds a Bachelor of Engineering degree in Metallurgical Engineering from the North-West University (NWU). “It is a company I have grown with, a team I believe in, and an industry that never stops pushing boundaries.”

The North-West University (NWU) continues to affirm its leadership in student success, and has been nominated as one of the top three universities in South Africa in the Best Career Service category at the South African Graduate Employers Association (SAGEA) Awards 2025.

The nomination places the NWU in the same league as long-established institutions such as the University of Cape Town and the University of Pretoria – a significant milestone for the university’s career development efforts.

Mainstream radio combined with social media can do more to preserve South African indigenous languages than either can on their own

A recent study by North-West University (NWU) master’s graduate Gofaone Motsamai explores how Motsweding FM radio is using Facebook to promote Setswana through podcasts and live streams.

“Motsweding FM is not just broadcasting, it’s preserving,” says Gofaone. “Through Facebook, the station connects Setswana speakers across borders, offering accessible and engaging content that supports linguistic and cultural continuity.”

In drug development, a “magic bullet” is a compound designed to kill disease-causing organisms without harming healthy cells. Such compounds are needed now more than ever because diseases such as tuberculosis, malaria and sleeping sickness, which kill more than 10 million people each year, are becoming resistant to existing treatments.

“Many of these diseases are becoming harder to treat due to drug resistance,” said Prof Richard Beteck, research professor in synthetic medicinal chemistry at the Centre of Excellence for Pharmaceutical Sciences at the North-West University (NWU).

The recent announcement by Cameroon’s 92-year-old President, Paul Biya, that he will seek re-election has reignited debates around prolonged leadership in Africa. Biya, who has been in office for 43 years, would be nearing 100 should he complete another term, making him one of the oldest and longest-serving leaders on the continent.

North-West University (NWU) academic Thabang Motswaledi from the School of Government Studies says Biya’s announcement reflects a larger governance issue in Africa.

By Gofaone Motsamai

Gender-based violence (GBV) is seldom an isolated crime, yet it is often portrayed as such in South African media reports. This is borne out by the research findings of North-West University (NWU) master’s graduate Elsje-Marié Jordaan.