By the time this goes to print, the number may have changed again. As I write, at least nine, possibly 10, women have been found dead in and around Kempton Park since mid-July, most half-naked, several with visible bruising, left along the same stretch of the R21 and its surrounding veld.
Dr Moleboheng Mokhele never planned to become a CEO. Her journey into entrepreneurship did not start with a business plan or a dream of running a company. It started at home, with her two young sons, Wavhudi and Rivhavhudi.
There is a particular kind of exhaustion that comes from being repeatedly told to be more careful. Be more vigilant. Don’t walk alone. Don’t run alone. Avoid isolated places. Tell someone where you are going. Keep your phone with you. Dress modestly – I am not quite sure how a 6-month-old baby in diapers can do this – yet they can be violated in this country!
The courage of women who opened doors for others must be turned into opportunities for the next generation.
This message was shared by Judge Mpho Catherine Mamosebo during the Women’s Month celebration of the North-West University (NWU) at its Mahikeng Campus on 28 August 2026.
Dr Mary Uyoga
Fatigue, poor concentration and declining physical performance are easily blamed on stress, demanding schedules or a lack of sleep. For many young women, however, these seemingly ordinary symptoms may point to an overlooked nutritional problem: iron deficiency.
For North-West University (NWU) netball coach Monique Meyer, coaching is about more than preparing players to win matches. It is about developing talent, building confidence and creating opportunities for athletes to progress to higher levels of the sport.
What do you get when someone refuses to limit herself to just one role in sport? In Elsunet du Plessis’ case, you get a player, sport scientist, lecturer, sport manager and coach who has now added another national role to her growing list of achievements.
She has been appointed as the South African under-19 caretaker assistant coach for the upcoming Region 5 Games, which will take place in Mozambique from 4 to 13 December 2026.
Two North-West University (NWU) researchers have received national recognition for work that could contribute to safer water, healthier honeybees and stronger communities.
Rebaone Mofokeng and Nolwandle Khumalo were awarded the DSTI-Prof. Keolebogile Shirley Motaung Fellowships at the 2026 South African Women in Science Awards on 20 August 2026. Rebaone received the Master’s Fellowship, while Nolwandle received the Doctoral Fellowship.
For Rebaone, the award is recognition of a research journey built on perseverance and support.
Labour-market figures draw attention to a much larger group of women who are less visible in the transformation debate: those who have not entered sustained employment at all.
By Dr Lungile Ntsizwane, MBA programme leader and senior lecturer at the North-West University (NWU) Business School.
Young mothers in Temba are helping to shape research about their own lives, rather than being treated only as research subjects.
This approach is at the centre of “Her Voice, Her Strength”, a five-year community engagement and research programme led by Dr Lungisile Shange from the subject group Population Studies and Demography at the North-West University (NWU).