It was a bittersweet day for North-West University (NWU) graduate Lize Marais, who celebrated her academic achievement and marked the final public appearance of her beloved service dog, Holly.

Lize received her Bachelor of Education in Senior and FET Phase in English, on 16 April, with Holly—her steadfast companion since 2018—right by her side. The moment was deeply symbolic, as Holly prepares to retire after nearly a decade of loyal service.

The North-West University’s (NWU’s) Vanderbijlpark Campus is set to host Purple Con, a vibrant celebration of anime, gaming and pop culture inspired by the renowned Comic-Con.

Organised by the NWU Anime Student Society in collaboration with the Faculty of Humanities and the Sports department, this one-day convention will take place on 26 July 2025.

The North-West University (NWU) Eagles Young Guns (YGs) are looking to defend their Varsity Cup title after securing a crucial home semi-final. The Eagles will take on the University of Cape Town (UCT) YGs at the Fanie Du Toit Sportsgrounds on Monday 7 April at 16:00.

They may have exited the 2025 Varsity Cup, but the North-West University (NWU) Eagles did so in spectacular fashion, making a lasting impression on the competition. In their last match of the tournament, at the well-lit Fanie Du Toit Sports Ground on Monday, 31 March, the Eagles destroyed Central University of Technology (CUT) with a stunning 117-19 victory, setting a new record.

A season filled with determination

On Friday, 7 March, students and staff gathered at the Vanderbijlpark campus garden, near Kumba Residence to take part in an inspiring initiative led by Prof Magda Kloppers and the staff of the School of Mathematics, Science and Technology Education (SMSTE) at the Faculty of Education.

The gathering marked the launch of the "Adopt a 4-Door-Sized Spot" Garden Project, a movement aimed at fostering food security, sustainability, and community engagement on campus.

The North-West University (NWU) Eagles Young Guns secured their semifinal spot with a commanding 27–8 victory over the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) in a thrilling Varsity Cup clash at the Fanie du Toit Sports Ground on Monday, March 24. The Eagles bounced back in style after their narrow defeat to a stubborn University of Pretoria (Tuks) side the previous week at the Tuks Stadium.

The North-West University (NWU) Young Guns put on a strong show in their Varsity Cup Young Guns clash against Stellenbosch University (Maties) on Monday 10 March, securing a hard-fought 33-31 victory to climb to the top of Group A.

Both teams were level on nine points going into the game, setting the stage for a crucial encounter. The atmosphere at the Fanie Du Toit Sports Grounds was electric, with the passionate NWU supporters creating a stimulating environment.

The North-West University (NWU) Young Guns (YGs) are proving why they are the reigning champions, kicking off their title defence with back-to-back wins.

After an outstanding campaign last season, the Eagles soared into the new campaign with a nail-biting 36-33 win over the University of Pretoria (Tuks) YGs at the Fanie Du Toit Sports Grounds on Monday 24 February. Their ability to withstand the pressure speaks volumes about their preparation and hunger to retain their title.

By Mafumane Tlhapi and Kealeboga Motshabi

North-West University (NWU) student Tsholofelo Hope Batumile has been crowned Miss Gender-Based Violence (GBV) North West. She is a second-year student in the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences, pursuing an extended Human Resources Management programme.

Batumile said she entered the competition to raise awareness about GBV and highlight its impact in the region. “I wanted to extend and promote the message of self-love and self-appreciation among individuals,” she said.

The North-West University's (NWU’s) Vanderbijlpark Campus was recently alive with excitement and pride as the campus hosted a University Sports South Africa (USSA) homecoming event.

This occasion, dedicated to honouring the remarkable achievements of student athletes who showcased exceptional talent in the recent USSA tournament, was the brainchild of Tinyiko Mazwaya, Student Campus Council (SCC) Sports Officer for 2024/25.