Her laugh is always at the ready. It is a quick-draw one, holstered but unlocked, an infectious six-shooter that disarms in an instant. “I laugh at everything!” Ntsikie Kote, Chief Strategy Officer at the North-West University (NWU), readily admits.

Outside her office in Building F1 on the University’s Potchefstroom Campus, spring is slowly awakening from its slumber, and there is a flurry of sounds as students make their way to and from classes.

It is a moment of respite from a position that is as time consuming as it is rewarding.

Two North-West University (NWU) students from the Mahikeng Campus are challenging stereotypes and making a name for themselves in the male-dominated sport of bodybuilding.

Kudzi Mudzingwa and Nomthandazo Portia Galate are not only stepping onto the stage in the Ladies Bikini Fitness category, but also reshaping perceptions and inspiring others through their dedication and resilience.

North-West University (NWU) PhD student Happy Nsiza has been named a TechWomen 2024 Emerging Leader, a recognition that places her among 103 women selected from more than 6 000 applicants worldwide.

The TechWomen programme, which will take place in the United States in September and October 2024, is designed to empower women from around the globe in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).

Dr Tebello Matsela, a research fellow in the subject group Private Law at the North-West University's (NWU’s) Mahikeng Campus, recently presented a paper at the 20 years of Bhe v Khayelitsha Magistrate: Promises, Progress and Pitfalls Conference.

The conference, hosted by the University of the Western Cape and the University of Cape Town from 20 to 21 August, focused on the landmark case of Bhe v Khayelitsha Magistrate and its implications two decades later.

North-West University (NWU) deputy subject group leader and social work lecturer Dr Luce Pretorius recently had the honour of being invited to speak at the prestigious Women in Mining Indaba (WIM) event.

Hosted by the Mine Health and Safety Council, the event themed “Nothing about us, without us, striving for zero harm”, aimed to unpack and prioritise occupational health and safety concerns impacting women in the sector. The main goal was to develop a programme that the South African Mining Industry can implement to ensure women in the mining industry are safe from harm.

On a cold and wet morning, Maggie Jasson and Florrie Makaku from the North-West University (NWU) hit the streets of Cape Town for the Totalsports Women's Race.  

North-West University (NWU) academic Prof Olubukola Oluranti Babalola and PhD student Sinenhlanhla Mthembu were recognised at the 2024 South African Women in Science Awards (SAWiSA) on 15 August in Mbombela. 

Prof Babalola was named the first runner-up in the Distinguished Women Research category, while Sinenhlanhla won the DSI Esther Mahlangu Doctoral Fellowship award. 

On 31 July and 1 and 2 August 2024, the Faculty of Law at the North-West University (NWU) hosted its annual Undergraduate Prestige Awards across the three university campuses. These awards celebrate the academic excellence and outstanding leadership of students, recognising their dedication to both scholarly pursuits and community service. 

Schistosomiasis, also known as bilharzia, is the second most socio-economically devastating parasitic disease after malaria, affecting millions of South Africans. Caused by parasitic worms which rely on specific snails as intermediate hosts, recent research has explored how climate change might impact the distribution of these snails, and, consequently, the spread of the disease. 

By Loveness Hulwane

The Goddess Night event hosted by the North-West University's (NWU’s) Vanderbijlpark Campus Arts Unit was truly a night to remember. The ladies went all out, and their stunning attire perfectly embodied the event's theme, "A Bridgerton Affair".

The event aimed to foster a spirit of sisterhood among the attendees, drawing inspiration from the popular series Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story.