August 11, 2022
South Africa: The Right to Food - Activism and Litigation Are Shifting the Dial in South Africa
Even before the pandemic and the recent global rise in food prices, millions of South Africans were hungry. In 2019, nearly 18% of households could not access enough nutritious… Read more »
August 10, 2022
South Africa: Higher Electricity Connection Fees? A Good, and Necessary, Next Step
There's been outrage from some quarters in South Africa about reports that the power utility Eskom and some municipalities intend to increase the connection fee for electricity… Read more »
South Africa: South Africa's Proposed Electricity Industry Reform - Lost in Translation?
South Africa's ruling party recently proposed establishing a second state-owned power company. The purpose is to offset the "grave strategic risk" of relying on Eskom, the… Read more »
South Africa: Flipper Traces Reveal the Presence of Ancient Seals On South Africa's Coast
The world's largest and heaviest living carnivore is not a big cat, a bear or a wolf: it's the southern elephant seal (Mirounga leonina). Bulls of this species can be 5 metres long… Read more »
August 08, 2022
South Africa: Women Have Always Trailed Men in Research Output - How Covid Made the Situation Worse
The under-representation of women in research is well documented. Emerging evidence suggests that the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated this inequality and disrupted the research… Read more »
Angola: Angola's Eduardo Dos Santos - An Unlikely Leader Known for His 'Judicious' Use of Violence
José Eduardo dos Santos, the former Angolan president who died on 8 July 2022 five years after relinquishing power, was an unlikely leader. Read more »
August 09, 2022
Angola: How Not to Respond to Drought - Lessons From Angola
Three years after a severe drought in southwestern Angola, people in the area continue to suffer. Hunger remains pervasive and they are still losing livestock. Read more »
Mozambique: Unions Hit Snooze On a National Strike - Why It's a Bad Thing for Workers
The surge in food and fuel prices has led to calls for national shutdowns across southern Africa. In Mozambique, trade unions issued a statement denouncing the rising cost of… Read more »
August 08, 2022
South Africa: Lilian Ngoyi - an Heroic South African Woman Whose Story Hasn't Been Fully Told
Despite her key role in the struggle against apartheid in South Africa, details about Lilian Ngoyi's life remain sparse. The short paragraphs on her legacy repeat a few well-worn… Read more »
August 07, 2022
South Africa: New Book On Mapungubwe Archive Contests History of South African World Heritage Site
Mapungubwe is a world heritage site and national park located on the border between South Africa, Zimbabwe and Botswana. From about 1000 AD the settlement there developed into a… Read more »
August 05, 2022
South Africa: Vacuum of Ideas At ANC Policy Conference Bodes Ill for South Africa's Governing Party
South Africa is in the throes of an unprecedented, multifaceted socio-economic crisis requiring substantive, impactful policy interventions. Yet, having attended the governing… Read more »
August 04, 2022
South Africa: Rape Is Endemic in South Africa. Why the ANC Government Keeps Missing the Mark
Rape in South Africa is systemic and endemic. The country's annual police crime statistics confirm this. There were 42,289 rapes reported in 2019/2020, as well as 7,749 sexual… Read more »
South Africa: U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken's Visit Aims to Reset Relations With South Africa
US secretary of state Antony Blinken has embarked on a five nation tour of Cambodia, the Philippines, South Africa, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda. Read more »
Africa: Racism in South Africa - Why the ANC Has Failed to Dismantle Patterns of White Privilege
One of the sources of social discontent in post-apartheid South Africa is the legacy of white racism. This toxic legacy is evident in racialised poverty and inequality. Read more »
South Africa: Why 'Political Will' Isn't the Magic Bullet That Can Fix Country's Energy Crisis
South Africans gave a warm welcome to President Cyril Ramaphosa's recent announcement about a "set of actions" to respond to the energy crisis in the country. Read more »
August 03, 2022
South Africa: Country Needs Stronger Security to Stop the Sabotage of Its Power Supply
South African president Cyril Ramaphosa recently outlined plans to solve the country's devastating electricity supply crisis. But he didn't mention the country's ability to protect… Read more »
South Africa: Artisanal Gold Mining Is Out of Control. Mistakes That Got It Here
Illegal and unregulated artisanal gold mining on the Witwatersrand Basin, located south of South Africa's Gauteng province, is an increasing threat to community, industrial and… Read more »
August 02, 2022
South Africa: Bilingual Education Can Work in South African Schools - Here's How
From the fourth year of schooling, the majority of South African schools teach all subjects in English only. The devastating learning consequences of this for children who speak… Read more »
August 01, 2022
South Africa: Basic Water Services Are in Decay After Years of Progress
Water is at the heart of health and well-being for people and nature. Access to it is a human rights issue recognised by international treaties and declarations, and national… Read more »
July 29, 2022
South Africa: Ramaphosa Acts to Ease South Africa's Energy Crisis - Impact Will Be Felt in Renewables
South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa recently announced an action plan to address the country's growing energy crisis. It included relaxing the legislative and environmental… Read more »
July 28, 2022
South Africa: Oil Refinery Closures, Cleaner Fuels and Security of Supply in South Africa
While South Africa has been preoccupied with rolling electricity blackouts, security of liquid fuels supply has been overlooked even though - by my calculations - by value of sales… Read more »
Zambia: Zambia Can Meet Growing Food Demand - How to Fix What's Standing in Its Way
African countries face great challenges in adapting to climate change to meet growing demand for food. The current drought in East Africa is the latest manifestation of changing… Read more »
July 31, 2022
Southern Africa: Footprints Take Science a Step Closer to Understanding Southern Africa's Dinosaurs
Dinosaurs have captured people's imaginations more than any other ancient creatures. These reptiles - some large, some small; some carnivores and others herbivores - rose and… Read more »
South Africa: South Africa Is Trapped Again - What Kind of Leaders Can Set the Country Free?
Former South African president Thabo Mbeki recently painted a gloomy picture of the country and its prospects. He said the governing African National Congress (ANC), led by… Read more »
July 28, 2022
South Africa: What the U.S. Can Learn From Apartheid-Era Book Bans in South Africa
"Beloved." "The Hate U Give." "Maus." "Burger's Daughter." Read more »