July 14, 2022
South Africa: Amazing Ting - Sorghum Must Be Reinvigorated As a Key Food Before It's Lost
The world's food systems have developed in a way that is not serving health and sustainability. Read more »
July 13, 2022
Zimbabwe: Six Ways to Improve HIV Prevention Pill Uptake Among Young Women
Adolescent girls and young women in sub-Saharan Africa have a very high risk of acquiring HIV. The latest global AIDS update report suggests that a staggering six out of seven new… Read more »
July 12, 2022
South Africa: Country Could Produce a Lot More Renewable Energy - Here's What It Needs
South Africa's power utility, Eskom, has not been able to provide a steady electricity supply for several years now. At the start of the 2022 winter the utility warned the public… Read more »
South Africa: Zondo Commission's Report On Intelligence Agency Is Important but Flawed
South Africa's judicial probe into state capture and corruption, the Zondo Commission, has concluded that the State Security Agency was integral to the capture of the state by… Read more »
July 11, 2022
South Africa: Caracals Are Exposed to Harmful 'Forever Chemicals' Through Their Diet
If you live near or have visited Cape Town's urban edge - where urban and natural areas meet - you may have been lucky enough to spot a caracal. These adaptable, medium-sized wild… Read more »
South Africa: A Referendum On Electoral Reform Might Stir Up Trouble
After 28 years of democracy, South Africa is having to reform its political party-based electoral system to make it fairer and in line with the constitution, by allowing… Read more »
July 09, 2022
South Africa: Deadly Riots May Recur If There's No Change
Last July South Africa was hit by a wave of devastating violence that left over 350 people dead and caused massive economic damage. Different people have used different terms to… Read more »
July 07, 2022
South Africa: Spiritual Traditions Fuel South African Jazz Artist Tumi Mogorosi's New Album
Blues ... Black ... Darker than grey/ Creation sounds Gold Reef Mine rockfall crush-sounds/ Guitar-string gun-spit tear flesh/ Black sonic science/ Darkest Acoustics ... (from… Read more »
July 06, 2022
Kenya: Why U.S.-Kenya Cooperation On Wildlife and Drug Trafficking Matters
Kenya and the United States have worked very closely against terrorism since the targeting of the American embassy in Nairobi in 1998 by Al-Qaeda. But much less debated is US-Kenya… Read more »
Zimbabwe: Ndabaningi Sithole - A Forgotten Intellectual and Leader
Ndabaningi Sithole was one of the founding fathers of the modern state of Zimbabwe in southern Africa. In August 1963, he became the first president of the Zimbabwe African… Read more »
July 05, 2022
South Africa: Justice Maya's Support for African Languages in South Africa's Courts Is a Positive Sign
The only nominee for the position of South Africa's Deputy Chief Justice, Justice Mandisa Maya, has once again put the spotlight on indigenous languages and the justice system. She… Read more »
South Africa: Sandfish Are On the Brink of Extinction - How Farmers Are Helping Rescue Them
Sandfish are migratory freshwater fish found only in South Africa that can grow to over half a metre in length. They sport a pronounced downturned mouth which is used to graze… Read more »
July 04, 2022
South Africa: The Case of the Acclaimed South African Novel That 'Borrows' From Samuel Beckett
Pereant qui ante nos nostra dixerunt: may those who utter our words before us perish. This lighthearted Latin curse speaks a truth many readers and writers have felt: to have our… Read more »
Lesotho: Elections Due in October Despite Lack of Progress On Key Political Reforms
Lesotho is due to hold national elections in mid-October. The polls were expected to be held under a new constitutional regime resulting from a reform process that started in 2012.… Read more »
July 03, 2022
South Africa: How Beetles Trick Bees Into Feeding Them Food Rich in Nutrients
Honey bees are useful not only to humans but to other "free riders" attracted to their stored resources. The small hive beetle (Aethina tumida) is one of the species that rely on… Read more »
South Africa: Plasma Gangs - How South Africans' Fears About Crime Created an Urban Legend
Around the middle of 2013 a series of stories appeared in the South African press about a new phenomenon called 'plasma gangs', presented as the latest iteration of the country's… Read more »
Zimbabwe: Book On Zimbabwe Strongman Robert Mugabe's Legacy Has Many Flaws
Development studies professor David Moore's new book, Mugabe's Legacy: Coups, Conspiracies and the Conceits of Power in Zimbabwe, attempts to understand the legacy of Robert… Read more »
South Africa: Why the South African State Should Not Subsidise Minibus Taxi Owners
Millions of South Africans rely on minibus taxis to get around. Without these vehicles, people wouldn't be able to get to work, school or simply visit friends and family. Data from… Read more »
June 30, 2022
South Africa: Following a Fungus From Genes to Tree Disease - a Journey in Science
Anyone who reads even a little about science and technology will be familiar by now with the idea of genome sequencing. This process involves breaking an organism's DNA into… Read more »
South Africa: Digital Migration - Court Delay Upholds Information Rights of Poor South Africans
South Africa's Constitutional Court has decided to strike down the government's plans to end old-style analogue television broadcasting at the end of June. The decision upholds the… Read more »
June 29, 2022
South Africa: Media Literacy Education Can Help Combat Fake News - Here's What's Needed
Online platforms are replete with examples of false information - from WhatsApp messages punting some miraculous cure for COVID, to social media posts claiming a politician said… Read more »
South Africa: The Right to Die - Unpacking an Ethical Dilemma
Sean Davison, the euthanasia activist and co-founder of DignitySA, recently completed a sentence of house arrest in South Africa for his role in the deaths of three people. He said… Read more »
June 27, 2022
South Africa: Kenya and South Africa Offer Insights into Digital Economy Challenges and Alternatives
The World Bank is warning of the real danger of a massive economic downturn across the world. In a recent analysis it warned that many countries - including those in sub-Saharan… Read more »
June 26, 2022
South Africa: Male Voices Dominated South African Covid Reporting - That Has to Change
The onset of the COVID pandemic and the many months of uncertainty, anxiety and push for scientific breakthroughs sent journalists all over the world on the hunt for expert voices.… Read more »
June 24, 2022
South Africa: Ramaphosa Scandal Likely to Intensify Ruling Party's Slide
The African National Congress (ANC) faces an increasingly uncertain future as the dominant political party in South Africa following the recent scandal engulfing its leader,… Read more »