NWU Centre for Health and Human Performance

28/05/2026

📅 SAVE THE DATE: 10th National Autism Symposium!

After a short pause in 2025, the National Autism Symposium is back in 2026 — stronger than ever — with an inspiring theme:

“Celebrating Autism – Next Steps.”

This milestone event remains South Africa’s leading platform for exploring autism through a neuro-affirming lens:
✅ Honouring autistic voices
✅ Promoting inclusive practices
✅ Showcasing cutting-edge research and practical approaches that embrace neurodiversity

With its unique blend of academic insight, professional development, and real-world application, the symposium offers a dynamic space for dialogue, networking, and action. Whether you’re involved in research, direct support, education, mental health, or advocacy, attending means being part of shaping the “next steps” in how autism is supported and celebrated in South Africa and beyond.

Who should attend?
The 10th National Autism Symposium welcomes a wide audience committed to inclusive, evidence-informed autism support:
* Healthcare professionals (psychologists, psychiatrists, GPs, therapists, allied health workers)
* Educators (teachers, learning support specialists, school leadership teams)
* Researchers and academic staff in autism and neurodevelopmental studies
* Autistic adults, self-advocates, and individuals with lived experience
* Parents and caregivers of autistic individuals
* Social workers, community workers, and policy makers
* Students and interns in health sciences, education, and social sciences

Whether you want to expand your professional practice, deepen your understanding of autism, or connect with others passionate about neurodiversity, this symposium offers valuable insights, connections, and inspiration.

Co-hosted by Autism South Africa(A;SA) and the NWU Centre for Health and Human Performance (CHHP), with support from SA-ACAPAP, this is more than a conference — it’s a movement toward fostering a deeper understanding of autism across clinical, educational, family, and community settings.

📌 Mark your calendars — you don’t want to miss this!

28/05/2026

Today we celebrate the International Day of Action for Women’s Health.

Women often face many responsibilities in their daily lives, such as managing work, caring for family members, and maintaining personal relationships. These responsibilities can sometimes lead to high levels of stress, anxiety, and depression. Social expectations, financial pressures, and limited personal time can make it difficult for many women to prioritize their own mental health.

Stress is one of the most common challenges women experience. Balancing work responsibilities with family duties can create emotional and physical exhaustion. In some cases, constant stress may lead to anxiety or depression, which can affect a woman’s overall well-being and quality of life.

Supporting women’s mental health requires awareness, understanding, and support from families, workplaces, and communities. Creating supportive environments at home and work can help reduce pressure and improve emotional well-being. Access to mental health services, counseling, and support groups is also important for women who may need professional help.

Women can also take practical steps to care for their mental health. Taking time for self-care, maintaining healthy relationships, exercising regularly, and getting enough rest can help manage stress and improve mood. Open conversations about mental health can also reduce stigma and encourage women to seek help when needed.

By recognizing the importance of women’s mental health and supporting balanced lifestyles, societies can help women lead healthier, happier, and more fulfilling lives.










NWU - North-West University
NWU Faculty of Health Sciences
NWU CHHP: Psychology & Wellbeing
CHHP: Sport Science and Biokinetics
Hanlie Degenaar
Ankebe Kruger
Maurice Storm Harmse
Blessing N Mongwe
Linique Hanekom
Monique De Klerk
Michelle Bach
Yolandi Willemse
Jana Theron
Kyra Duvenage
Karlien van Schalkwyk

27/05/2026

It is Child Protection Week, and we are reminded that child protection is everyone’s responsibility. Children should feel safe at home, at school, in their communities, and online. Children can experience harm in many forms, including emotional abuse, neglect, physical abuse, exposure to violence, and online exploitation. Early intervention and community awareness play an important role in helping children feel safe and supported.

The CHHP: Care2Kids unit wants to celebrate Child Protection Week by creating an opportunity to raise awareness about the importance of protecting children from abuse, neglect, trauma, and exploitation, while also promoting healthy relationships, emotional well-being, and supportive environments.

Every child deserves adults who will listen, notice when something is wrong, and take action when needed. If you are worried about a child’s safety, well-being, or development, please get in touch with the Care2Kids Family and Child Forensic Unit for support and assistance at [email protected].

Working together, we can create safer spaces where children are able to grow, learn, and thrive!

NWU - North-West University
NWU Faculty of Health Sciences
NWU CHHP: Psychology & Wellbeing
Hanlie Degenaar
Linique Hanekom
Pieter Kruger
Blessing N Mongwe
Ankebe Kruger
Karlien van Schalkwyk

27/05/2026

Extended NWU CHHP Gym Hours 🎉

Thanks to public demand, the NWU Centre for Health & Human Performance is excited to announce that we have implemented extended operating hours for our gym facilities from the beginning of February!

🕔 New Weekday Hours (effective 2 February 2026):
* Mondays – Thursdays: 5:00 AM – 7:00 PM
* Fridays: 5:00 AM – 5:00 PM

⏱️ Train better with an extra ten hours per week available:
The additional ten hours of access each week mean NWU staff, students, and members of the public can train more effectively, with more flexibility to fit workouts in before or after work or class. Whether you’re an early riser or prefer training later in the day, our extended schedule supports your routine. Our neat, spacious showers, lockers and change rooms also make it easy to freshen up and head straight to campus or the office.

💪 Train with World Class Equipment
Our facility is open to everyone—no contracts needed! Enjoy supervised training with our qualified staff.

💰 Affordable Monthly Rates (contact us for more info)

Whether you're starting your fitness journey, maintaining your health, or training for performance, we're here to support you.

📞 Contact Us:
☎️ 018 299 1822 or 018-299-1824
📧 [email protected]

Step into a healthier you — see you in the gym! 💜🏋️‍♂️🏃‍♀️

26/05/2026

This week (25 May - 1 June 2026) we celebrate Child Protection Week. Today we focus on teaching your child to talk about their feelings. When children learn the words for their emotions, they learn the tools to manage them, but also to let us know when they feel uncomfortable or in danger.

Read more to get practical tips to empower your child.

Teaching your child to talk about their feelings is a gift that lasts forever.

26/05/2026

In this video, Prof. Pieter Kruger engages in a compelling conversation with counselling psychologist and psychometric specialist Puleng Khotlele from the NWU CHHP: Psychology & Wellbeing at NWU - North-West University.

Together, they highlight the critical impact of psychometry in modern psychology — from rigorous, evidence-based assessments and targeted student support to meaningful career guidance and truly inclusive services across diverse languages and cultures.

💡 An essential watch for students, educators, and anyone seeking deeper insight into how psychological assessments empower us to better understand and support people.

Feel free to contact us at [email protected] or call 018-299-1737 if you would like to make an appointment.

You can view the video at

In this insightful conversation, Prof. Pieter Kruger sits down with counselling psychologist and psychometric specialist Puleng Khotlele from the Centre for ...

26/05/2026

Our specialised amputee rehabilitation program focuses on strength, motor control, gait retraining, and restoring independence in daily activities.

With personalised exercises and supportive guidance, we help you build confidence, improve endurance, and reach your highest level of functional mobility.

Regain independence through the right movement at the NWU CHHP.

📍 Building K21, c/o Meyer and Thabo Mbeki Street, NWU, Potch

📲 018 299 1822/4

📩 [email protected]

25/05/2026

🚀 Call for Abstracts Now Open! 🚀

Join us at the 2nd Spring Sport Science Summit (SSSS) 2026 under the theme “Focus, Excellence, and Innovation: Redefining Sport Science” from 16–18 September 2026 at North-West University, Potchefstroom. Hosted by the Centre for Health and Human Performance (CHHP), School of Human Movement Sciences and the Research Focus Area Physical Activity, Sport and Recreation (PhASRec) of the Faculty of Health Sciences and presented in collaboration with CEOs in Sport, and the NWU Institure for High Performance in Sport, this summit advances academic excellence and professional growth in Sport and Coaching Sciences.

📝 Submit your abstract by 30 June 2026

🔗 More info: https://chhpevents.zohobackstage.com/SpringSportScienceSummit #/

25/05/2026

Join us at CHHP for Pilatus classes from May onwards. For more information contact us at [email protected] or 018 299 1822/4.

Join our WhatsApp group to choose a timeslot for your session: https://chat.whatsapp.com/FQiprrD9o2M7KXiqXyYJlz

25/05/2026

Call for Abstracts: The 10th National Autism Symposium is an annual event hosted by the North-West University, in partnership with Autism South Africa (A;SA) and supported by the South African Association for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Allied Professions (SA-ACAPAP).

The organising committee invites you to submit an abstract for a workshop presentation at the 10th National Autism Symposium, taking place in August 2026.

As we celebrate over a decade of learning, advocacy, and collaboration, our 2026 theme—Celebrating Autism: Next Steps—highlights the importance of moving forward with purpose, inclusivity, and innovation. We welcome submissions that present practical, compassionate, and forward-thinking approaches that support autistic individuals, their families, and the professionals who accompany them on their journeys.

Call for Abstracts:

We invite practical and interactive abstracts aimed at parents, autistic persons, educators, clinicians, and allied professionals. Workshops should focus on a clearly defined area within one of the following sub-themes:

Sub-Themes:

1.⁠ ⁠Unlocking Strengths: Recognising and valuing the diverse strengths, talents, and perspectives within the autistic community. This includes highlighting how autistic ways of thinking, learning, and engaging enrich families, schools, workplaces, and society. Submissions should shift from a deficit-based approach toward celebrating abilities and enabling autistic people to thrive.

2.⁠ ⁠Supporting Every Journey:
Every autistic person’s journey is unique. This sub-theme explores how families, professionals, communities, and systems can offer responsive, respectful, and person-centred support across the lifespan. We welcome practical strategies that honour autonomy, reduce barriers, and create environments where autistic people can navigate daily life with dignity and confidence.

3.⁠ ⁠Building Inclusive Futures:
Looking forward to a world where autistic people are fully included, represented, and supported. Submissions may focus on collaborative solutions, accessible design, meaningful inclusion of autistic voices, and policies that promote equity. The goal is to imagine and build a future where inclusion is the norm, not the exception.

4.⁠ ⁠Evidence Sparks Action and Change: This stream invites submissions that bridge the gap between research and practice. We welcome presentations offering insights from recent studies, innovative research proposals, and critical reflections on emerging evidence and methodologies. The focus is on translating knowledge into actionable strategies for clinical practice, education, policy, and community support—sparking dialogue and advancing real-world application.

We particularly encourage submissions that include:
•⁠ ⁠Evidence-informed and compassionate approaches
•⁠ ⁠Interactive and collaborative formats
•⁠ ⁠Practical tools, strategies, and real-world application

Abstracts are welcomed from:
•⁠ ⁠Researchers
•⁠ ⁠Healthcare clinicians
•⁠ ⁠Parents and caregivers
•⁠ ⁠Educators
•⁠ ⁠Social workers
•⁠ ⁠Neurodiverse adults, including autistic adults and individuals with other neurodevelopmental conditions

Submission Guidelines: Abstracts must be submitted in Word document format via email to [email protected]
no later than 31 May 2026.

Please ensure your abstract includes all of the following:
•⁠ ⁠Full name, email address, landline, and mobile number
•⁠ ⁠Title of the workshop (maximum 20 words)
•⁠ ⁠A statement explaining how the presentation relates to the symposium theme
•⁠ ⁠An indication of which sub-theme your presentation aligns with
•⁠ ⁠Your title, occupation, affiliation, and interest in autism, neurodevelopmental disorders and/or child or adolescent mental health
•⁠ ⁠An outline of the presentation slides
•⁠ ⁠Presentation summary (maximum 300 words)
•⁠ ⁠Presenter biography (50–80 words)
•⁠ ⁠A high-quality photograph suitable for marketing and media use

Only complete submissions will be considered.

Important Dates:
•⁠ ⁠Submission deadline: 31 May 2026
•⁠ ⁠Notification of acceptance: 30 June 2026
•⁠ ⁠Presenter registration deadline: 30 July 2026
•⁠ ⁠Symposium dates: 28–29 August 2026
•⁠ ⁠Venue: Potchefstroom, North-West Province

For more information, please contact [email protected] or 018-299-1737

We look forward to receiving your workshop proposal and advancing the next steps in Celebrating Autism together.

25/05/2026

Our specialised physical ability evaluation gives you a detailed breakdown of your strength, power, speed, endurance, and more.

We use advanced testing like VO₂max, force-plate (DSI), and body composition (InBody, BodPod) to understand your unique physical makeup.

This evaluation enables us to tailor training specifically to YOU, focusing on where you can grow and how to maintain your strengths.

Ready to know your numbers? Let's book your evaluation today.

📍 Building K21, c/o Meyer and Thabo Mbeki Street, NWU, Potch

📲 018 299 1822/4

📩 [email protected]