The Staff-Wellness office at the North-West University (NWU) acknowledges the unique challenges that men encounter and affirms their right to receive support. In a significant step towards prioritising men’s mental health and emotional well-being, they hosted an innovative men-only online seminar centred around the theme “Managing emotions and Intergenerational Trauma”. The hybrid event took place on the Vanderbijlpark Campus on Friday, 11 July, and included virtual participation from colleagues at the Potchefstroom and Mahikeng campuses.

By Gofaone Motsamai and Nikelo Mehlomakulu

It was not only a return to where student life had begun; this residence homecoming was also the start of something new and an opportunity to pay it forward.

The Residence Homecoming at the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Mahikeng Campus took place on 4 and 5 July. Hosted by the Alumni Relations office, the event invited graduates to stay overnight in their former residences, walk through campus and reconnect over breakfast.

By Gofaone Motsamai

Stitch by stitch, management student Joel Malesela Khoela has created a tailoring business whose sewing is so skilled that nurses of the future trust him to produce their protective attire.

His company, Joel Stitch by Stitch TA Patrao (Pty) Ltd, recently completed a large tailoring order for the Faculty of Health Sciences at the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Mahikeng Campus.

What happens when tax law allows one person the final say? A new study investigates how discretionary powers granted to the Commissioner of the South African Revenue Service (SARS) under the Value-Added Tax (VAT) Act affect both taxpayers and the principle of fairness in tax administration.

Byline: Mafumane Tlhapi and Nikelo Mehlomakulu

In the same lecture halls where many first discovered their calling, B.Ed graduates of the North-West University (NWU) gathered once again. This time, not as students, but as teachers united by a shared purpose.

On Thursday, 4 July, the NWU Mahikeng Campus hosted a reunion for B.Ed alumni, transforming the university’s education block into a space for connection, reflection and future planning.

Prof Linda du Plessis, Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Teaching and Learning at the North-West University (NWU), explains why the ongoing dysfunction within the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) and various Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs) is not only jeopardising the futures of vulnerable students but also placing immense strain on South Africa’s public universities. While attention has focused on student hardships, the crippling operational, financial and reputational toll on universities has gone largely unnoticed.

The 30% tariff decision by the United States is not good news for the South African economy, and its potentially negative economic impact should not be underestimated.

Prof Raymond Parsons, economist from the North-West University (NWU) Business School, says while not unexpected, the decision creates a challenging economic headwind for South Africa.

The South African Centre for Digital Language Resources (SADiLaR) at the North-West University (NWU) hosted its third successful externship for the Department of Languages, Cultural Studies and Applied Linguistics (LanCSAL) students from the University of Johannesburg on 12 June 2025.

The day-long online engagement was designed to give students practical exposure to the diverse and evolving career paths available in the language practice field, particularly in digital and computational contexts.

By Phenyo Mokgothu and Gofaone Motsamai

In yet another impressive show of strength, the bodybuilding team from the North-West University (NWU) has won the Bodybuilding Championships of University Sports South Africa (USSA) for the second consecutive year.

The 280-strong team successfully defended their title against athletes from nine other universities participating in the competition, held on 28 June 2025 at Durban University of Technology in Pietermaritzburg.

A law librarian from the North-West University (NWU) will represent South Africa on an international stage later this year after securing a travel grant to attend a global legal information conference in the United States.

Maropene Thomas Ramabina, faculty librarian for law at the NWU’s Vanderbijlpark Campus, is the recipient of the Non-Member Grant from the International Association of Law Libraries (IALL). The grant, worth up to US$3 000, will support his participation at the 43rd Annual Conference of the IALL in Houston, Texas, from 19 to 23 October 2025.