The North-West University (NWU) has confirmed renowned business leader and entrepreneur Dr Anna Mokgokong’s second term as chancellor.

This was confirmed during a prestigious event in Potchefstroom on 12 March, after the NWU Council elected her for a further five years. Dr Mokgokong ended her first term on 20 November 2024.

As chancellor, she serves as titular head of the NWU, and all qualifications awarded by the university are formally conferred by her.

In commemoration of International Women’s Day, the North-West University (NWU) Business School, in collaboration with People and Culture: Learning and Development, hosted a vibrant symposium titled “Women in leadership”.

The event took place at the Potchefstroom Campus and celebrated International Women’s Day with the theme “Barriers and challenges faced by women in the quest for leadership positions”. This annual symposium serves as a platform to recognise the achievements of women and to highlight the ongoing need for gender equality across all spheres of life.

Dr Thulisile Bhuda once stood behind the counter at a Tekkie Town store in in a mall, ringing up customers’ purchases. Now, years later, she stands in front of a lecture hall of students at the University of Mpumalanga, sharing her knowledge of culture and heritage, with a PhD in indigenous knowledge from the North-West University (NWU) behind her name.

By Mafumane Tlhapi and Kealeboga Motshabi

North-West University (NWU) student Tsholofelo Hope Batumile has been crowned Miss Gender-Based Violence (GBV) North West. She is a second-year student in the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences, pursuing an extended Human Resources Management programme.

Batumile said she entered the competition to raise awareness about GBV and highlight its impact in the region. “I wanted to extend and promote the message of self-love and self-appreciation among individuals,” she said.

Television advertisements influence how society views gender roles, and a new study from North-West University (NWU) explores how women are represented in South African adverts. The research, conducted by Koketso Rabanye from the NWU’s School of Communication, examined both traditional and changing portrayals of women in the media.

With a pen in hand, first-year student Nompumelelo Mphoreng enjoyed the sunrise over the North-West University (NWU) Vanderbijlpark Campus as it created golden reflections on the river. As a fresh voice in the NWU community she found herself fascinated by the essence of her new home.

Medical biological scientist Puseletso Manyaka-Lesofe from the Centre for Human Metabolomics at the Potchefstroom Campus of the North-West University (NWU) has been selected as one of Forbes Africa’s 2025 Over 30 Under 50 honourees for her contributions to science and academia.

By Gofaone Motsamai

Bontle Manana, a 34-year-old industrial psychologist and PhD candidate at the Mahikeng Campus of the North-West University (NWU), is breaking barriers and inspiring women across South Africa.

Hailing from Phola Village in Mahikeng, she recently achieved the prestigious milestone of being named a Mrs South Africa semi-finalist.

A familiar voice, Mogomotsi "Peculiar" Ntehalang, a final-year communication student on the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Mahikeng Campus, walked off with the coveted Radio Presenter of the Year Award at the 2024 North West Media Awards in December.

Peculiar has been hosting the NWUFM Maftown Drive show on weekdays from 15:00 to 18:00 since from 2022. The programme features segments such as Ispan Iplan, which provides job insights, and Flash of Thought, which focuses on controversial discussions and factual information for listeners.

Dr Moleboheng Ramulumo, a senior lecturer in the Faculty of Education, Research Unit Self-Directed Learning has been invited by the Disability Cluster of the South African Youth Forum (SAYOF) to represent South Africa at RightsCon 2025, taking place in Taipei, Taiwan, from 23 to 29 February 2025.