With every stair Tebogo climbs to the stage, with every step he takes across the stage, the heart of his mom, Jane Fransman, beats faster. Thump-thump, thump-thump. Proud beats. When he stops and receives his teaching degree there, in the auditorium of the Potchefstroom Campus of the North-West University (NWU), she wants to jump out of her skin. Tears course down her cheeks. “I was very happy. I never thought I would see the day that he would stand on the stage and receive his degree.” Because life has tried to throw her from course more than once.

by Angeline Marokoane

Language traverses borders. It connects us, inspires us, educates us and enriches us. It is the fundamental tool that allows us to connect with each other. And, in a diverse, multilingual society, the more we appreciate each other’s native language, the fewer boundaries there will be between us.

According to Statistics South Africa (Stats SA), approximate 70% of the South African population rely directly on agriculture as a means of living.

Kirsty Kyle, a master’s student at the North-West University (NWU), has recently published an educational children’s book and, after receiving sponsorship for the printing, donated the books to under-privileged schools.

“I cannot do it, that’s how I was raised, Oom,” she replied to this author’s plea to address him by his first name. It’s a definite refusal from the legendary 17-year-old sitting across from me on the North-West University’s campus in Potchefstroom, worlds away from the community of Great Brak River in the Western Cape, about 10 km northeast of Mossel Bay.

The extension and renovation of the Education Library (C6c) on the Potchefstroom campus will start in January 2022. Site handover will take place on 11 January and the estimated time of completion is July 2022.

The spaces of the current Education library will be renovated and a double storey extension will be added to the front of the library. The ground floor will host a copy shop and the new EduLab, with connected working space for 104 students.

During a virtual ceremony on 25 November the North-West University (NWU) acknowledged staff for their exceptional contributions to teaching and learning, research and community engagement.

Prof Lesley Wood, a research professor at the North West University (NWU), was recently nominated as a member of the Academy of Community Engagement Scholarship (ACES).

The North-West University (NWU) recently announced its Open Educational Resource (OER) fellows for 2021/2022.