Women

Multilingualism shapes online communication

Languages clash, blend and connect users across the North-West University (NWU) Mahikeng Campus Updates Facebook Group, revealing how multilingualism drives communication in a digital student space.

Ontiretse Motingwa, an NWU graduate, led a study that examined how language choice, ethnicity and power relationships influence communication patterns on the NWU Mahikeng Campus Updates Facebook Group. The group, moderated by NWU students, functions as a platform where members post, comment and engage in various languages, including indigenous ones.

Submitted on Mon, 07/21/2025 - 12:28

Study examines legal frameworks for just energy transition in SA and Zimbabwe

While coal continues to dominate the energy mix of both South Africa and Zimbabwe, the two countries have begun introducing legal frameworks that signal a shift. The question that North-West University (NWU) researcher Tariro Mary Tingini set out to answer is: How ready from a legal and policy perspective are South Africa and Zimbabwe to make this shift, and how do their legal frameworks compare?

Submitted on Mon, 07/21/2025 - 12:13

Expert hails new malaria drug approval for newborns as turning point for Africa

Switzerland’s recent approval of Coartem Baby, the first antimalarial treatment specifically designed for newborns and very young children, is a major step forward in tackling one of Africa’s most pressing public health challenges, says Dr Fortunate Mokoena, a malaria expert at the North-West University (NWU). Developed by Novartis with support from the non-profit Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV), Coartem Baby is expected to be fast-tracked for approval in eight African countries that participated in the joint regulatory assessment.

Submitted on Thu, 07/17/2025 - 11:28

Celebrating excellence: Mari Prinsloo receives prestigious Anthology Impact Award

Mari Prinsloo, director for enterprise systems at the North-West University (NWU), has received international recognition as one of three recipients of the 2025 Anthology Impact Award. The award honours higher education professionals who make a meaningful difference in their institutions and contribute actively to the broader academic community.

Submitted on Thu, 07/17/2025 - 09:48

The allure of stardom: How celebrity casting is shaping musical theatre

Musical theatre, a vibrant blend of song, dance and drama, has long been a playground for the audacious and the talented. Star and celebrity have always been a staple for glittering marquees of Broadway to the neon-lit stages of the West End, however this has in recent decades become a contentious issue as celebrity as a concept has undergone tremendous change. When looking to fill seats in theatres the phenomenon of casting TV and film stars has become a defining feature, sparking debates as intense as a show-stopping ballad.

Submitted on Tue, 07/15/2025 - 12:43

The hidden cost of a broken funding system: South Africa’s public universities

Prof Linda du Plessis, Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Teaching and Learning at the North-West University (NWU), explains why the ongoing dysfunction within the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) and various Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs) is not only jeopardising the futures of vulnerable students but also placing immense strain on South Africa’s public universities. While attention has focused on student hardships, the crippling operational, financial and reputational toll on universities has gone largely unnoticed.

Submitted on Thu, 07/10/2025 - 09:51