NWU - North-West University

The true value of a university is measured by the impact it leaves on society.

Every lesson taught, every research breakthrough and every partnership should contribute to building stronger, more resilient communities. That commitment was at the heart of the North-West University Community Engagement Showcase 2026, where academics, students, government, industry and community partners came together to explore how local action can create lasting impact across Africa.

Under the theme "Empowering Communities for Sustainable Development in Africa: Local Actions, Global Impact," the Showcase highlighted the vital role higher education plays in addressing society's most pressing challenges through collaboration, innovation and shared responsibility.

Over the past three years, NWU's registered Community Engagement portfolio has grown from 406 projects in 2022 to 605 in 2025. While this growth is significant, our ambition extends beyond the number of initiatives we undertake. Our focus is on ensuring every project delivers measurable outcomes, strengthens communities and creates sustainable change.

Community Engagement is a core pillar of the University's mission, connecting teaching, learning, research and innovation with the real needs of society. By working alongside our partners and aligning our efforts with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and the African Union's Agenda 2063, we continue to turn knowledge into action and action into meaningful impact.

As corruption evolves, so must our response.

Today, NWU’s Vanderbijlpark Campus hosted a Prestige Lecture featuring Leonard Lekgetho, Acting Head of the Special Investigating Unit (SIU), under the theme: “The Evolution of Lifestyle Audits and Cyber Forensics in Combating Public Sector Corruption.”

Lifestyle audits have become an increasingly important tool for identifying and understanding financial patterns, while cyber forensics is critical in an environment where our personal and professional lives leave extensive digital footprints.

South Africa continues to lose significant public resources to corruption. Every rand lost to corruption has a human cost – a community without essential services, a student without adequate resources, or infrastructure left to deteriorate.

Fighting corruption is not only the SIU’s responsibility. The lecture also highlighted the importance of equipping the next generation with the skills and knowledge needed to become future investigators and custodians of public resources.

Fighting corruption means protecting people.

Inspiring the next generation of women in STEM.

Learners from Hoër Volkskool Potchefstroom, Ferdinand Postma High School and Saints Christian School have been inducted into the prestigious NWU STEM MentHER programme. The initiative brings together leading female academics from the NWU Faculty of Engineering and the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences to mentor and guide 10 learners.

Among the Potchefstroom inductees are Asanele Mokhobo (Saints Christian School), Martiné van Aswegen and Alisha de Jager (Hoër Volkskool Potchefstroom), and Unaysah Ismail (Ferdinand Postma High School).

Through mentorship, guidance and exposure to STEM careers, the programme aims to inspire young women to see themselves as future scientists, engineers and innovators.

From Sharpeville to the boardrooms of South Africa’s financial sector, Molefi Seshabela’s story is one of resilience, failure and triumph.

At 35, this NWU alumnus is Head of Secured Credit at Old Mutual and pursuing a PhD in risk analysis. His journey included failing his third year and being barred from university. Instead of giving up, Molefi fought for another chance, returned to his studies and completed his master’s degree. Today, he gives back by mentoring young people and supporting matric learners with mathematics and science.

Growing up in poverty as the youngest of five children, Molefi was raised by parents who believed in the power of education. All five siblings went on to earn university degrees and build successful careers.

“Where you come from must never determine where you are going.” A story of perseverance, purpose and the power of education.

For Prof Zimbili Zondi, Associate Professor and Head of the Chemistry Subject Group in NWU's Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, chemistry is more than understanding molecules – it is about turning scientific knowledge into solutions that can make a difference.

Her research in organic and medicinal chemistry, natural products and nanotechnology explores innovative health applications, including a health-friendly hand sanitiser incorporating phytocompounds and nano-cosmeceuticals. For Prof Zondi, innovation is about creating knowledge, skills, opportunities and solutions that shape a healthier, more sustainable society.

This Women's Month, her message to women breaking new ground is clear: “Be curious, be courageous and be willing to take up space.”

Want to know more about our Postgraduate Diploma in Nuclear Science and Technology?

Read this insightful piece from our researcher, Dr Randall Lavelot.
Enjoy the read here:

Making Nuclear Education Accessible: Building South Africa’s Next Generation of Nuclear Professionals Nuclear energy is ultimately about people. As Dr Lavelot, North-West University's Unit for Energy and Technology Systems Extraordinary Researcher, emphasises, the nuclear sector relies on scientists who innovate, engineers who design, project managers who deliver, regulators who oversee, and leaders...

We are reaching for the stars and winning!
Our students took home 7 of 13 student awards at the 2026 South African Institute of Physics (SAIP) conference, competing against universities from across South Africa in space science and astrophysics. From cosmic mysteries to cutting-edge space research, this is what research excellence in action looks like.