Women

Chardoné Smidt shines on the world stage

South Africa’s rising sprint star, Chardoné Karla Smidt, made her mark on the world stage recently as she competed in the 4x100 m relay at the prestigious Rhine-Ruhr 2025 FISU World University Games in Germany.

Representing her country with speed, poise and pride, Smidt was backed every step of the way by her home institution – the North-West University (NWU) Vanderbijlpark Campus.

Chardoné, a 19-year-old BCom student majoring in business operations and logistics management, described the experience as “unreal.”

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Prof Welma Lubbe appointed to global committee for newborn brain care

Prof Welma Lubbe from the Quality in Nursing and Midwifery (NuMIQ) research focus area at the North-West University (NWU) has been appointed as the nursing representative on the global committee for the Newborn Brain Society.

Prof Lubbe, who is the director of NuMIQ and focuses her research on neonatal care in the Faculty of Health Sciences, will represent the nursing profession in an international forum focused on newborn brain health.

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South Africa faces a waste crisis with legal and health consequences

South Africa’s failure to manage waste properly is no longer just an environmental issue; it is a growing legal, health and human rights concern and without urgent reform, the costs will continue to mount in landfills and lives.

With nearly a third of households lacking access to formal waste removal, communities increasingly rely on open dumping, backyard burning and unregulated landfill use, exposing themselves to serious health and environmental hazards.

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NWU alumna appointed CEO at NewSpace Systems

Tanya Lerm never imagined herself in the aerospace sector. But nearly seven years after joining NewSpace Systems, she now leads it.

“Stepping into the role of CEO at NewSpace Systems has been one of the most significant moments of my career, both professionally and personally,” said Tanya, who holds a Bachelor of Engineering degree in Metallurgical Engineering from the North-West University (NWU). “It is a company I have grown with, a team I believe in, and an industry that never stops pushing boundaries.”

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Young biochemist’s rooibos and broccoli research offers hope for heart disease

Cardiovascular diseases remain among the world’s leading killers, but everyday foods like rooibos tea and broccoli may hold the key to protecting the heart, according to new research from the North-West University (NWU).

This was the core finding of the PhD study of Dr Sinenhlanhla Xoliswa Happiness Mthembu, who explored plant-based compounds that could help counter heart damage caused by metabolic disorders.

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