The North-West University (NWU) is proud to celebrate the recent graduation of Dr Nozipho Phila Gamedze, who received her PhD on 16 July 2025. Her research marks a significant contribution to both sustainable agriculture and nanotechnology, showcasing the power of interdisciplinary science rooted in African innovation.
Agriculture, a sector highly vulnerable to climate change, relies heavily on credit to invest in modern technology for efficiency and production. Despite this, many smallholder farmers in South Africa remain excluded from commercial bank loans, even though they make up a significant portion of the farming population.
The North-West University (NWU) celebrated a significant academic milestone on 2 September 2025 with the inaugural lecture of Prof Eunice Ivala, held at the Mahikeng Campus with the theme: “Scholarship of teaching and learning: towards holistic student success”.
This important occasion brought together members of the academic community, leadership and guests to honour Prof Ivala’s promotion to full professor and to hear her insights on improving the student experience through a research-led approach to teaching and learning.
Globally, World Patient Safety Day (WPSD) is celebrated on 17 September to raise awareness on healthcare safety and quality. This initiative by the World Health Organisation (WHO) inspires healthcare professionals to show their commitment to patient safety.
The theme for 2025 is “Safe care for every newborn and every child”, emphasising that each child has the right to safe and quality care from birth.
The North-West University (NWU) joined forces with the Potchefstroom Hospital to host a Patient Safety Seminar at the hospital’s Residence Hall, focusing on strengthening healthcare delivery and improving patient safety.
This seminar showcased innovative research from recent patient safety projects at the Potchefstroom Hospital, addressing how medical facilities handle incident reporting, encourage organisational culture, respond to medical errors and develop strategies for delivering safer and quality care.
The Vaal region came alive recently when the North-West University (NWU) bhive Enterprise Development Centre (EDC) programme opened its doors to the Vaal United Business Forum for a powerful training session on “The Basics of Investing and Investments”. The event was not only a workshop, but also a celebration of women in business, entrepreneurship and leadership.
By Gofaone Motsamai
When Perpetual Umeaku realised that many communities lacked access to health information in a language they could understand, she set out to challenge the status quo and started exploring indigenous languages in health communication.
This focus led her to win the Doctoral Poster Competition at the North-West University’s (NWU’s) 2025 Research and Innovation Week for her study, titled “Examining indigenous language health media potentials for a sustainable future: a multi-stakeholder perspective”.
South Africa’s femicide rate is five times higher than the global average, and one in three women has experienced gender-based violence (GBV) in her lifetime. Increasingly, this violence is no longer confined to physical spaces. It has migrated to digital platforms such as social media, messaging apps and online forums, where abuse is amplified, often anonymously, and even across country borders.
From Ghana to South Africa, similarities in health, education and social policy programmes have raised questions about how public concerns over foreign nationals shape solidarity across the continent.
On a quiet morning at the Mahikeng Campus of North-West University (NWU), the halls of the Disability Rights Unit hum with purpose. At the heart of it all is Vida Mutlaneng, a disability coordinator whose presence radiates warmth, compassion and an unwavering commitment to justice.
Affectionately known as Mama Vida or Mother Theresa by the students and university staff, it was not by chance that she came to lead this critical unit. In fact, her journey was both personal and providential.