The North-West University (NWU) recently hosted a transformative STEP train-the-trainer (TTT) programme, further cementing its commitment to cultivating an entrepreneurial mindset among students and communities.

The week-long initiative, held at the NWU’s Mahikeng Campus, brought together educators, trainers and innovation champions to deepen their expertise in entrepreneurship facilitation and expand their collective impact.

By Gofaone Motsamai and Phenyo Mokgothu

A partnership with the common goal of producing researchers ready to respond to the needs of society has unlocked full bursaries for nine postgraduate chemistry students from the North-West University (NWU). This is one of the results of the ongoing partnership between the university and the Sasol Foundation.

The scholarships, awarded under the National Research Foundation-Sasol Foundation Scholarship Programme, are for the 2025 academic year and were confirmed during a visit to the Mahikeng Campus.

What happens when science and taste come together in a delicious collaboration? For a group of final-year Consumer Sciences students at the North-West University (NWU), it meant diving into the world of sensory food research with bacon* taking centre stage.

The fourth-year students recently completed their research project that brought real-world applications into the lecture room as part of their Bachelor of Consumer Sciences degree in Food Product Management.

By Phenyo Mokgothu and Gofaone Motsamai

In yet another impressive show of strength, the bodybuilding team from the North-West University (NWU) has won the Bodybuilding Championships of University Sports South Africa (USSA) for the second consecutive year.

The 280-strong team successfully defended their title against athletes from nine other universities participating in the competition, held on 28 June 2025 at Durban University of Technology in Pietermaritzburg.

For Joubert Schoeman, a BCom Honours in Management Accounting student at the North-West University (NWU), representing South Africa on the global stage was not just a dream, but a goal he pursued with passion. His determination recently paid off when he helped the Springbok Sevens ‘A’ team win the Rugby Africa Sevens Cup in Mauritius.

By Gofaone Motsamai and Phenyo Mokgothu

Cannabis is much more than a plant for South Africa’s traditional healers; it is part of a spiritual practice and a tool for healing in our communities, according to five postgraduate students from the North-West University’s (NWU) Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences.

As South Africa commemorates Youth Month – a time to reflect on the courage, resilience and vision of young people – we turn the spotlight on Khululwa Nosipho Shibani. At just 29, she is not only shaping young minds as an educator at Christiana School for the Blind and Partially Sighted, but also contributing to groundbreaking community research. Her journey reflects the spirit of Youth Month: bold leadership, unwavering dedication, and a passion for building a better, more inclusive future.

Here, she shares her remarkable journey:

In celebration of Youth Month – a time to recognise the boldness, creativity and grit of South Africa’s emerging leaders – we spotlight Cimoné Louw, a dynamic 26-year-old whose career path proves that precision, purpose and passion are a powerful combination.

What did you study at the NWU?

I studied Forensic Accounting at the North-West University.

What is your current profession/occupation?

I am a forensic accountant at StoneTurn and the owner of a small business called Cfisticated.

By Phenyo Mokgothu and Gofaone Motsamai

Five speakers from the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Mahikeng Campus Debate Union proved their strength at a national debate and public-speaking competition held at the University of the Free State.

“We chose the speakers from the internal public-speaking competition, and they showed they have what it takes to compete at national level,” says Sandile Mbizeni, chief adjudicator of the Debate Union.

A final-year law student at North-West University (NWU) Potchefstroom Campus has been chosen for the 2025 Siyaphumelela Scholars programme, a national initiative focused on student success and leadership in higher education.

Musa Bizani and four other students from the University of Cape Town, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, University of the Witwatersrand and University of the Western Cape will attend the Siyaphumelela Conference at the Indaba Hotel and Conference Centre in Fourways, Johannesburg, from 8 to 11 July 2025.