By Mzwandile Ndlovu

A renewed push to translate indigenous knowledge (IK) into practical rural development will take centre stage when stakeholders gather for the Second Smart Village conference in Nyandeni in the Eastern Cape.

Being held under the theme “Towards an indigenous knowledge-based smart village model: A multi-stakeholder planning dialogue for sustainable rural development”, the three-day engagement from 24 to 26 March 2026 moves beyond conceptual discussions and towards implementation and community participation.

Section 84(d) of the Constitution vests in the President the authority to convene both Houses of Parliament for a special sitting, a power that is generally interpreted as encompassing, by implication, the delivery of the State of the Nation Address. On Thursday evening, President Cyril Ramaphosa carried out the annual presidential ritual of convening the nation and providing an update on the current situation and the everyday lived experiences of citizens.

By Mzwandile Ndlovu

If African languages are to thrive in a digital world, it is essential that these languages be part of the artificial intelligence (AI) revolution sweeping society.

Natural language processing, which enables computers to understand, interpret and generate human language, could play a significant role in enabling African language speakers to benefit from technology advances.

President Cyril Ramaphosa will deliver his 2026 State of the Nation (SONA) address on Thursday 12 February, and he will do so in a world starkly different from that of a year ago. Political uncertainty, strained international relations and domestic pressures mean the president is operating in a political climate that is no longer simmering but rapidly reaching boiling point.

By Mzwandile Ndlovu

Mphumudzeni Siphuma, a North-West University (NWU) alumnus, has swopped his military fatigues and rank for civvies and the title of lecturer in Communication, Journalism and Media Studies at the university’s Potchefstroom Campus.

An opinion piece by Dr Mabutho Shangase

Opinion piece by Dr Mabutho Shangase

Dr Mabutho Shangase, a senior lecturer in Political Studies and International Relations at the North-West University (NWU) is of the opinion that the uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) has reached the zenith of its political existence and is currently engaging in actions that will undermine and diminish its future electoral prospects.

What began as a digital footprint in South Africa has grown into a continental voice, one strong enough to earn North-West University (NWU) alumnus John Nchoe an honorary award at the prestigious Icons of Africa Awards.

Nchoe, a social media entrepreneur who holds a BA and BA Honours in Communication from the NWU, was recognised for his growing influence in digital strategy, content creation and thought leadership across Africa’s media and tourism sectors.

South Africa can learn a great deal from China, not by copying its politics but by understanding how it builds relationships, trust and social harmony. That is the argument made by Dr Casper Lötter, a conflict criminologist at the North West University, who believes China’s way of thinking offers practical lessons for a deeply divided South Africa.

The North-West University (NWU) is the headline sponsor of the 2025 North West Media Awards. This marks a significant milestone in the ongoing efforts of the university to support media development, ethical journalism and professional growth in the province.

The partnership reinforces the commitment of the NWU to fostering collaboration between academia, the media industry, government and the private sector.