South Africa's most recent employment statistics present a dismal image in a nation where millions of people wake up every morning yearning for a chance to work.

The official unemployment rate has increased to 32.7%, according to the most recent Quarterly Labour Force Survey (QLFS) for the first quarter of 2026. This means that almost one in three South Africans who are economically active are unemployed. Approximately 8.1 million people are unemployed overall, and the expanded unemployment rate which takes discouraged job seekers into account has risen to an alarming 43.7%.

The North-West University (NWU) has hosted thousands of prospective students, parents, guardians and educators at its annual Open Days across the three campuses. These events offer a rich opportunity to witness university life first-hand, gain an insight into the study programmes of the university and explore future careers.

The North-West University (NWU) will strengthen its international research footprint when it participates in the 2026 BRICS Postgraduate Forum, taking place from 9 to 11 June 2026 at the University of Campinas in Brazil.

Convened by the BRICS Research Institute in partnership with RUDN University, the forum will be held under the theme “BRICS and Sustainable Development in a Multipolar World: Governance, Innovation and Market Transformation”.

“A memorandum of understanding is more than a document; it is a commitment to action, accountability and shared purpose.”

Today's signatures represent a collective commitment to building a stronger, more responsive post-school education sector.”

These sentiments set the tone as the North-West University (NWU) and Vuselela TVET College signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), marking a significant milestone in strengthening collaboration in skills development, research and innovation, and student development.

Academic excellence, resilience and visionary leadership took centre stage as the North-West University (NWU) Business School recently honoured its MBA and PhD graduates at an elegant Black & White Soirée held at the picturesque Feather Hill Boutique Hotel in Potchefstroom.

Across South Africa, roads crumble, wastewater systems fail, refuse accumulates and infrastructure projects stall midway through completion. Increasingly, many citizens are asking the same question: what is happening to our municipalities?

South Africa’s struggle to contain the spread of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is exposing a deeper problem than the outbreak itself. The country’s response remains firmly state-led, yet the state’s capacity to execute that response is increasingly in doubt.

Much of this gap between control and capability appears to stem from the government’s reluctance to involve farmers in its decision-making processes. The state needs to reconsider its insistence on control and acknowledge that it does not have the capacity to execute corrective measures effectively.

When graduates apply their knowledge to solve real-world challenges, the results can be transformational, according to Prof. Bismark Tyobeka, principal and vice-chancellor of North-West University (NWU).

“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world,” he said, using the inspiring words of former President Nelson Mandela to address graduates attending the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences’ graduation ceremony at the Mahikeng Campus on 28 April.

According to North-West University (NWU) principal and vice-chancellor Prof. Bismark Tyobeka higher education institutions have a role to play in supporting governance reform at local municipalities - many of which are in disarray.

“Universities can contribute to the rehabilitation of local government through research, skills development and evidence-based policy input,” he said during a public lecture by Dr Ben Bole, head of the Department for North West Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) on13 April.