November 2021

NWU produces research for a better 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.

Sexism and sexual harassment are major challenges for women entrepreneurs

Although entrepreneurship has its own challenges, women face additional obstacles that are unique to them. On paper South Africa has great opportunities for female entrepreneurs, but in reality numerous economic, social and cultural obstacles affect women and their businesses. According to NWU MBA graduate Refiloe Moetsi, sexism, sexual harassment, marital complexities, self-esteem issues and lack of business knowledge are some of the problems women experience.

Informal reclaimers make a huge contribution to recycling in South Africa

Informal waste reclaimers in South Africa play a key but often unrecognised role in the recycling value chain. Ways should be found to enable them to participate in decisions around waste management practices and community recycling programmes, says Prof Derick Blaauw from the NWU's School of Economics. For the past 10 years, he has been part of a countrywide study on informal reclaimers' socio-economic dynamics, vulnerability and contribution to recycling in South Africa.

Sounding out the stars – a look at asteroseismology

Space is not as silent as it may seem, and astero-seismologists know this. Asteroseismology is a booming field full of opportunity for students and young researchers and has an impact on many other fields of astronomical research. But what is asteroseismology all about?

Growing successful emerging farmers through partnerships

What does it take for emerging farmers to be successful? This is the question NWU academic Dr Faan Pelser and Prof Theuns Pelser from the University of KwaZulu-Natal's Graduate School for Business and Leadership set out to answer in their recent research paper.

Researcher investigates private label brands in SA

Private label brands have gained momentum in the grocery retail sector over the past few years. According to researcher Gift Ndlovu, they are no longer just alternatives to the big-name brands, but are fast becoming brands of choice – provided attention is paid to perceptions about quality.

WaterNet team open to watershed experiences at NWU

From January 2022, the secretariat of the regional water research network known as WaterNet will be based at the NWU's Mahikeng Campus as part of a five-year agreement.

Faculty of Engineering's ingenuity key to PhD successes

Ingenuity builds the world, resourcefulness sustains it and our imaginations will take it forward. This is evident from some of the interesting and important PhDs the Faculty of Engineering has delivered in 2021.

In conversation with Prof Jeffrey Mphahlele

Prof Jeffrey Mphahlele, the NWU's deputy vice-chancellor for research and innovation, shares his thoughts on the opportunities that the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) presents for the NWU, and the areas in which the university can address global challenges.

He also highlights the role of young researchers in the context of the 4IR.

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