A group of 30 animal health graduates is moving into business thanks to a joint programme between the North-West University (NWU) and the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO).

The initiative aims to equip the graduates to establish primary animal health care (PAHC) enterprises and deliver services in underserved communities. It should help relieve some of the pressure on animal health systems in the North West Province, where disease outbreaks and gaps in veterinary services continue to affect farmers and food production.

When the Covid-19 pandemic unfolded, Dr Andrew Rabontsi Motsilanyane saw how global and local health systems reacted under pressure and where they failed.

This experience prompted him as a chemistry PhD graduate, former lecturer in the Faculty of Educations and recently completed an LLB from North-West University (NWU) to shift his focus from how medicines are developed to addressing the gaps in the legal and regulatory frameworks that guide medicine and vaccine development.

His name is synonymous with groundbreaking research and innovation, with many honours over the years acknowledging the impact of his work. Now, another prestigious honour will soon be awarded to Prof. Louis du Preez, amphibian conservationist and amphibian parasite diversity expert of the School of Biological Sciences of the North-West University (NWU).

Our researchers continue to receive national recognition for their impactful work across a wide range of disciplines. The North-West University (NWU) has five nominees for the 2025/2026 NSTF‑South32 Awards. This further affirms our standing as a contributor to excellence in science, engineering, technology and innovation in South Africa.

By Mzwandile Ndlovu

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

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 moved beyond conceptual discussions towards implementation and community participation.

A new funding commitment of more than $1,1 billion by the European Investment Bank is set to accelerate renewable energy projects across Africa, but experts say it will only begin to address a deeper, systemic electricity deficit affecting millions across the continent.

The North-West University (NWU) Water Research Group (WRG) hosted its annual Life Below Water outreach event on Saturday, 11 April 2026, drawing 120 children to the Lekwena Wildlife Estate for a morning of hands-on learning focused on aquatic ecosystems and environmental awareness.

The North-West University’s (NWU’s) School of Agricultural Sciences has been recognised for its skills development at the South Africa Leadership Awards 2026.

The award, presented on 13 April in Johannesburg, places the school among institutions acknowledged for advancing capacity building and training across sectors.

Director of the School of Agricultural Sciences, Prof. Simon Letsoalo, said the award reflects the collective effort of staff and students in advancing agricultural education and skills development.

A recent study, co-authored by Dr Mandla Dlamini, researcher from the Unit of Environmental Management and Sciences (UESM) at the North-West University (NWU), emphasises that floodplain wetland management and disaster risk reduction efforts are unlikely to succeed without the active participation of affected communities.

The research found that while conservation and flood-control frameworks exist in many regions, people living near wetlands often experience these policies differently from how they were intended.