A seat in the audience at a Strictly Come Dancing show in 2010 changed the course of Prince Motaung’s life. Sixteen years later, the head coach of dancesport on the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Mahikeng Campus has gone from spectator to competitor, from champion to administrator, after having been appointed chairperson of University Sport South Africa (USSA) Dancesport.
For many who grew up in the 1990s, Captain Planet was the environmental superhero who could only be summoned when five young Planeteers united the powers of earth, fire, wind, water and heart.
It was this familiar image that Prof. Habib Noorbhai, deputy dean for research, innovation, community engagement and postgraduate studies in the Faculty of Health Sciences, used to describe the Faculty of Health Community Engagement Champions and delegates at the African Community-Led Knowledge Co-Creation Conference.
Against the backdrop of South Africa's persistent youth unemployment crisis, the North-West University (NWU) hosted its Economic Update under the theme Umuntu Omusha – "Education for Jobs in Our Economy", challenging students to rethink their role in the economy by becoming adaptable graduates, innovative entrepreneurs and ethical leaders capable of shaping South Africa's future.
Effective communication is essential for organisational success, yet many teams struggle with meaningful engagement, collaboration and problem-solving. This is especially true in increasingly digital workplaces where online interactions often replace face-to-face communication.
For many farmers and animal owners in the North West Province, access to animal healthcare can determine the health of their livestock, household income and food security. At the North-West University (NWU), the Dale Bieghle Animal Health Centre has become a link between academic training and community service, providing animal healthcare while preparing graduates to serve South Africa's agricultural sector.
In an effort to continuously pave the way towards building sustainable communities, the Faculty of Law’s Chair in Cities, Law and Environmental Sustainability (CLES), funded by the National Research Foundation (NRF) as part of its South African Research Chair Initiative (SARChI), recently held its second critical conversation of the year.
The North-West University (NWU) Library and Information Service, in partnership with the Library and Information Association of South Africa (LIASA), has challenged librarians to move beyond traditional information management and become leaders in ethical artificial intelligence (AI), digital inclusion and smart library innovation.
The call was made during the South African Librarians' Day celebration held at the NWU’s Vanderbijlpark Campus under the theme, "Librarians: champions of ethical and inclusive AI".
As South Africa prepares for local government elections later this year, questions around the future of municipalities, public participation and service delivery remain central to national discussions. Research by North-West University (NWU) Faculty of Law lecturer Dr Krisdan Bezuidenhout offers a legal framework aimed at strengthening collaboration between municipalities and the communities they serve.
A new initiative by the North-West University (NWU) is ensuring that staff and students have access to drinking water of the highest quality across its campuses. Through the university's Waterwise Project, the Mahikeng Campus has become the first to achieve this milestone, with every tap now delivering clean, safe drinking water that meets South Africa's national standards. The Vanderbijlpark Campus is expected to reach the same milestone by mid-September this year, followed by the Potchefstroom Campus at a later stage.