Torrential rains have left parts of the North West Province struggling with school closures, damaged infrastructure and impassable roads. Learners in several areas were unable to attend school due to flooded classrooms and collapsed buildings, while scholar transport was affected by washed-out roads.

North-West University (NWU) Head of the African Centre for Disaster Studies, Professor Dewald Van Niekerk, says the rainfall is linked to weather systems that developed over the past month.

The Arts and Culture Department of the North-West University's (NWU’s) Vanderbijlpark Campus, in collaboration with YFM, recently held a "Find your next Y presenter" talent search.

This presenter search is part of the festive activities leading up to the annual First-Year Carnival Celebrations, which will take place next month. The carnival is organised each year by the Student Representative Council (SRC) at the campus and aims to celebrate new friendships and diverse cultures.

By Gofaone Motsamai and Phenyo Mokgothu

The memory of the late Dr Aziz Pahad, liberation struggle veteran and diplomat, lives on. The North-West University’s (NWU) Mahikeng Campus hosted the inaugural Provincial Memorial Lecture in his honour on 25 February 2025.

The theme of the lecture was "The insurgent diplomat: lessons from the life and legacy of Aziz Pahad”, and the event brought together government officials, academics, students and community members to reflect on his contributions to South Africa’s liberation and foreign policy.

With a pen in hand, first-year student Nompumelelo Mphoreng enjoyed the sunrise over the North-West University (NWU) Vanderbijlpark Campus as it created golden reflections on the river. As a fresh voice in the NWU community she found herself fascinated by the essence of her new home.

Prof David Luke, professor of Practice and strategic director of the Firoz Lalji Institute for Africa, gave a thought-provoking public lecture hosted by the TRADE research focus area at the North-West University (NWU).

In his lecture Prof Luke emphasised the importance of regional trade and economic integration to Africa’s development. He stressed the necessity for African countries to trade more with one another rather than relying largely on external markets by drawing on lessons from a book he had edited, How Africa Trades.

On 18 February 2025, a distinguished group of academics gathered at the Fireroom, Montecasino, for the exclusive AICPA & CIMA event, Accelerate & Lead: Dinner with Academics. Hosted by Simon Bittlestone, FCMA, CGMA, President of CIMA and Chairman of the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants, the evening provided an invaluable platform for thought-provoking discussions on the evolving landscape of financial education and the role of academic institutions in shaping future financial leaders.

He has a recipe for success, and he knows how to collect the trophies. One of South Africa’s favourite sons, Dr Rassie Erasmus, was a welcome sight back at the North-West University (NWU) when he delivered his first guest lecture since being awarded an honorary doctorate in 2024.

The lecture, entitled From the Sidelines to the Spotlight: Insights from a Back-to-Back World Cup Winning Coach, was hosted by the NWU’s Faculty of Health Sciences – School of Human Movement Sciences in partnership with NWU’s Centre for Human Health and Performance (CHHP).

By Gofaone Motsamai

In the dry, sandy soils of southern Africa, a rugged survivor stands tall: Vachellia erioloba, more commonly known as the camel thorn. Once classified under the genus Acacia as Acacia erioloba, this hardy tree is also called the giraffe thorn, mokala tree, or kameeldoring in Afrikaans.

By Michelle Meixieira Groenewald

On 13 February 2025, the Vanderbijlpark Campus of the North-West University (NWU) hosted a heart-warming Long Service Awards ceremony at Tsebonokeng Hall, coinciding with the official academic opening of the university. The event was a fitting tribute to the unwavering commitment and dedication of employees who have played a vital role in shaping the university over the years.