South Africa’s exporters may soon find a wider door opening in Beijing, but whether they can fully walk through it will depend on preparation at home. China’s move to allow duty-free imports on selected South African products signals stronger economic ties, yet it is no silver bullet for broader trade challenges.

According to North-West University (NWU) economist Dr Mpho Lenoke, the bilateral trade framework cooperation move initiated by China and South Africa in early February 2026 carries both economic and strategic weight.

It’s been 30 years since the New Zealand All Blacks last toured South Africa for a traditional rugby test series, but 2026 will see the old foes meet for three tests in the Republic and one abroad.

For rugby fans at home and in the Land of the Long White Cloud, The Greatest Rivalry Tour – which includes provincial matches between the All Blacks and the Stormers, Sharks, Bulls and Lions – is the stuff dreams are made of.

The North-West University (NWU) recently took part in the kick-off meeting of the Erasmus+-funded project, SacredTravels4Growth – Higher Education and Sustainable Growth through Religious Tourism - at the LOGOS University College in Tirana, Albania.

The project is co-funded by the European Union under the ERASMUS-EDU-2025-CBHE-STRAND-2 call and seeks to strengthen higher education capacity through innovative teaching of and research on religious tourism. Its broader goal is to contribute to sustainable socio-economic development in participating regions.

Today marks the opening of proposal presentations for the inaugural cohort of the PhD Hub for Africa, an ambitious pilot initiative of the North-West University (NWU) Business School to reimagine doctoral education for the continent.

Over two days, Friday, 28 November and Monday, 1 December 2025, 24 doctoral candidates will present their research proposals as the culmination of a four-month Bridging Phase. Those who meet the academic requirements will proceed to full enrolment in the PhD in Business Administration programme in 2026.

This landmark event brought together scholars, practitioners, and global experts dedicated to

By Mzwandile Ndlovu

Teens living with chronic diseases need not be defined by their illnesses but by their potential and determination to succeed.

Dr Kezell Klinck, senior lecturer in the School of Management Sciences at the North-West University (NWU), delivered this message during the recent Chronic Life as a Teen event at the Lonely Park Multipurpose Centre in Mahikeng.

South Africa’s transport sector stands at a critical crossroads: unless urgent investment and private-sector participation are channelled into public transport infrastructure, the country’s economy will continue to stagnate.

North-West University (NWU) transport economist Dr Olebogeng Baikgaki says GDP growth for 2025 is expected to be limited to between 0,9% and 1,3%, and the outlook is poor if decaying infrastructure and inefficiencies are not addressed.

South Africa’s sluggish transport system could find new momentum through digitalisation and sustainable investment, says transport economist Dr Olebogeng Baikgaki of the North-West University (NWU).

He argues that integrating digital technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT) and electric vehicles into transport planning could revolutionise mobility and reduce carbon emissions.

October is Transport Month in South Africa, but there is not much to celebrate as the country’s economy is paying the price for decades of underinvestment and neglect in its transport system.

Failing roads, crumbling railways and inefficient ports are costing the country billions of rands and undermining its global competitiveness, according to transport analyst Dr Olebogeng Baikgaki of the North-West University (NWU).