Africa is facing a challenge in ensuring food security due to contamination of agricultural products by toxic fungi and their byproducts, mycotoxins, amid climate change.

This is according to Prof Mulunda Mwanza, who delivered his inaugural lecture at the North-West University (NWU) on 6 June 2024.

"Mycotoxins are toxic compounds produced by fungi such as Aspergillus, Fusarium, and Penicillium, which infect staple crops including maize, peanuts, wheat, rice and various tree nuts,” he explained.

Through its Meal-A-Day initiative, Student Counselling and Development at the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Vanderbijlpark Campus has embarked on a heart-warming journey to support students studying in the library during their first-semester examinations.

It kicked off on 5 June, offering a cup of coffee and a sandwich to students twice a week, providing much-needed warmth and sustenance during their late-night study sessions.

This caring initiative was the brainchild of Meal-A-Day assistant Lesedi Sebetha.

As we celebrate Youth Month this June, we are reminded of the vibrant energy, resilience, and potential of our nation’s youth.

To be a successful entrepreneur, you need to know how to network, be comfortable taking risks, have an innovative mindset and be resilient. Luckily for North-West University (NWU) graduate Refiloe Mohono, she has all these skills, and more.

The North-West University’s (NWU’s) Mathlogonolo Bodibe’s fancy footwork and passion for dance recently took her to the international stage.

Mathlogonolo, a second-year BA communication student, participated in the annual DanceStar World Dance Masters competition that took place from 20 to 26 May in Croatia

Her dedication paid off and she achieved notable placements: she came seventh out of 20 competitors in the solo category and was third in the open formation category.

The 2024 national elections were deemed a turning point for South Africa, with the general public hoping for a new political landscape that will address the longstanding economic challenges in the country. Driven by the desire for change, Khotso Pitso, a final year BA student in politics studies at the North-West University (NWU), worked as a voters’ roll officer at the Slovo Park Clinic in Ekurhuleni.

The North-West University’s (NWU’s) Student Counselling and Development (SCD) division on the Vanderbijlpark Campus rallied up staff and students to support Slipper Day on 31 May.

Slipper Day is an annual fundraising event organised by Reach For A Dream that sees everyone from school children to corporate teams wear their slippers and Slipper Day stickers – all in support of seriously ill children who are in desperate need of hope and encouragement.

The North-West University (NWU) boasts three finalists in this year’s prestigious NSTF-South32 Awards. The university had a strong showing in the run-up to the awards, receiving eight nominations in the various categories.

The NSTF-South 32 Awards is the largest, most comprehensive and one of the most coveted national awards. It recognises outstanding contributions in science, engineering and technology (SET) and innovation by individuals, teams and organisations.

Jerry Bangude knows a thing or two about getting the best out of people. Why? Because he knows how to get the best out of himself.

It is this attribute that has helped shape his career as motivational speaker and author since he graduated from the North-West University (NWU).

“I want to motivate and inspire people, and I want to help people realise their full potential. I want them to unleash their greatness within. Most importantly, I want to help people follow their dreams so that they can live a fulfilled and purpose-driven life,” he explains.

The negative gross domestic product (GDP) growth figure of -0,1% quarter on quarter again reflects how difficult it has been for the economy to gain momentum in the recent past.

In commenting on the GDP figures released by Stats SA on 4 June, Prof Raymond Parsons, economist from the North-West University (NWU) Business School, says although GDP growth may yet reach about a modest 0,9% in 2024 as a whole, total GDP in the first quarter of 2024 is in fact lower than the peak reached in the third quarter of 2022.