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November 2023

The NWU delivers research for a brighter future

Welcome to the seventh edition of the North-West University's newsletter, Research@NWU. The aim of the newsletter is to showcase research projects, researchers and related events. This newsletter is one of seven, distributed to academic staff and researchers during the year.

Great honour for budding researcher

Maricélle Botes's long journey with the NWU has paid off. This final-year PhD student at the research unit for Law, Justice and Sustainability has been honoured with the Research Excellence Award for Next Generation Researchers in the Humanities, Social Sciences and Law category by the National Research Foundation (NRF).

Unlocking the cultural language of emojis

Dr Quatro Mgogo, a researcher in the School of Communication, has embarked on a study to explore how Facebook emojis are being employed to shape the meanings of izaci namaqhalo esiXhosa (isiXhosa proverbs and idioms). The study also delves into how isiXhosa-speaking Facebook users are harnessing emojis to breathe fresh life into isiXhosa expressions.

Exploring wild pedagogies in the quest to change South Africa's Eurocentric curriculum

University curricula must incite difficult conversations to meet today's challenges, and in recent years there has been a growing movement towards decolonising the education curriculum in South Africa. The question of "what knowledge is of most worth", or "whose knowledge is of most worth" has been at the heart of this debate.

Good sleep routines impact positively on athletic performance

They thrive on adrenaline, excitement and energy, but it is particularly sleep or the lack of it that can impact the performance of athletes. An NWU researcher says her research has shown that ensuring good sleeping habits, or sleep hygiene as it is known, not only improves athletic performance and endurance capabilities, but also athletes' overall well-being.

Retailers must market to Millennials or miss out

Consumer patterns are changing and retailers must adapt to new dynamics if they are to survive. A major driver behind the shift in purchasing patterns is the generation born between 1981 and 1996: Millennials. This is according to new research by Prof Roland Goldberg and Prof Johan Gouws from the School of Management Sciences.

The intricate connection between honeybees' foraging and colour preferences

The mesmerising world of honeybees' foraging behaviour has long fascinated scientists, with colour playing a pivotal role in their quest for sustenance. Bees are essential pollinators that hold the key to maintaining the delicate balance of our ecosystems.

NWU student Kimani Waiyaki's recent research delved into the intricate connection between honeybees' foraging and colour preferences.

Meet our researchers

The faculties at the NWU are doing exciting work on the research front. In this edition, we introduce the work of three researchers:

Prof Philimon Modisha an associate professor from the Faculty of Engineering,
Dr Gontse Mokwatsi, a researcher in the Hypertension in Africa Research Team in the Faculty of Health Sciences, and
Zama Simamane, a lecturer and researcher in geography and environmental education.

Please share your comments and input by sending an email to
the newsletter editor, willie.duplessis@nwu.ac.za