Not unexpectedly, for the seventh time, the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) decided by a four to two majority vote (as opposed to a unanimous decision in May) to again keep interest rates unchanged for now.

In commenting on this decision of 18 July, Prof Raymond Parsons, economist from the North-West University (NWU) Business School, says the MPC viewed the risks to the inflation outlook as now being on the upside again and wants to see low and stable inflation entrenched at its 4,5% target.

The North-West University (NWU), through its bhive Enterprise Development Centre (bhive EDC), has taken a significant step in fostering an entrepreneurial ecosystem by introducing the Student Training for Entrepreneurial Promotion (STEP) programme.

Mduduzi Mccoy Sithole, currently an administrator at the North-West University (NWU) Soccer Institute, has transitioned from playing for South Africa’s junior teams – Orlando Pirates FC and Kaizer Chiefs FC – to a significant role in soccer administration.

North-West University (NWU) students Karabo Makau, Matshepo Soto and Potego Sethwape recently walked away with the spoils in a hackathon hosted by Lelapa AI at the University of Johannesburg that took place from 29 to 30 June 2024.

The team, known as Unitech, was challenged to create a municipality WhatsApp chatbot for the prepaid electricity meter ground team.

As part of the ongoing efforts to foster innovation and industry partnerships, the Technology Transfer and Innovation Support (TTIS) team at the North-West University (NWU) recently led a group of academic staff specialising in solar energy-related projects on an exciting tour of Enel Green Power's Adams solar plant in Kathu, Northern Cape.

Veteran Setswana broadcaster and SABC newsreader, Masego Ezekiel “Easy” Matjila, received an honorary doctorate in humanities from the North-West University (NWU) on 18 July at the Mahikeng Campus. This was in recognition for his outstanding achievements in promoting Setswana and other languages through his work at the SABC.

"Allow me to express my gratitude and appreciation to the NWU for honouring an individual such as myself while still alive. I consider myself lucky and I am truly humbled," says Dr Matjila.

By Bonolo Monaisa

Student Life on the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Mahikeng Campus recently hosted a Leadership Development programme for 40 prospective student leaders from 11 to 14 July.

Among the 40 nominated leaders were members of the Society Sub-committee residences committees and the Golden Key Society.

The staff soccer and netball teams of the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Potchefstroom Campus demonstrated their athletic prowess and team spirit during a friendly tournament held at the University of Johannesburg (UJ) this past weekend. The event also featured teams from the University of Pretoria (UP) and Metropolitan Life, offering a thrilling mix of competition and camaraderie.

Soccer team results

By Oscar Mosiane

Belgian-born British actress and humanitarian, Audrey Hepburn, once said: "As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands - one for helping yourself and the other for helping others."  

This sentiment resonates with Florence Shange, a 28-year-old lecturer in education at the North-West University's (NWU’s) Vanderbijlpark Campus, exemplifying her dedication to self-improvement and aiding others.

Prof Menno van Zaanen, professor in digital humanities at the South African Centre for Digital Language Resources (SADiLaR) at the North-West University (NWU), recently spent a productive two weeks at the University of Gdańsk in Poland to conduct teaching activities and interdisciplinary research in digital humanities.