March 14, 2023
Africa: Farms in Cities - New Study Offers Planners and Growers Food for Thought
Urban agriculture as a global phenomenon is widely promoted as a sustainable land use practice. On small plots and in big projects, using sophisticated technology or simple… Read more »
South Africa: Why New Electricity Minister Should Heed the Words of Former Eskom CEO
A month ago South Africans heard some hard truths about the state of the power utility, Eskom, from the outgoing CEO André de Ruyter. In an interview broadcast on… Read more »
Nigeria: Central Bank Made Critical Mistakes That Doomed the Country's Currency Redesign
Nigeria has successfully introduced new banknotes on about 10 occasions since independence in 1960. So why has the latest attempt been so controversial and traumatic? And what… Read more »
Equatorial Guinea: Covid, Bird Flu, Mpox - a Virologist On Why We're Seeing So Many Viruses Emerge
From the widespread outbreak of mpox (formerly called monkeypox) in 2022, to the evolving bird flu situation, to recent cases of Marburg virus in Equatorial Guinea, COVID isn't… Read more »
March 13, 2023
Africa: Getting From Waste to Clean Water - Tiny Carbon Particles Can Do the Job
Many futuristic novels and films have explored what the world might look like without water. But water scarcity isn't a problem for the far-off future: it's already here. Read more »
Congo-Kinshasa: How a Minority Ethnic Group in the DRC Became the Target of Rebels
The Banyamulenge are a minority ethnic group in South Kivu, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). In December 2022, the UN adviser on the prevention of genocide raised… Read more »
Nigeria: Child Victims of Sexual Violence Aren't Heard or Understood - Nigerian Study
Violence against children is a global problem. A 2020 Global Status Report revealed that every year, almost one billion children globally encounter some form of violence, such as… Read more »
Africa: Droughts Bring Disease - Here Are 4 Ways They Do It
Countries in the Horn of Africa have been hit by a multiyear drought. Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia and Uganda are expected to continue getting below-normal rainfall in 2023. Excluding… Read more »
Equatorial Guinea: Marburg Virus Outbreaks Are Increasing in Frequency and Geographic Spread - Three Virologists Explain
The World Health Organization confirmed an outbreak of the deadly Marburg virus disease in the central African country of Equatorial Guinea on Feb. 13, 2023. To date, there have… Read more »
South Africa: Costa Titch - the Rising White South African Rap Star Who Embraced Black Hip-Hop Culture
Rising 28-year-old South African dancer and rapper Costa Titch (born Costa Tsobanoglou) dies after collapsing on stage on 11 March while performing in Johannesburg. Read more »
Africa: What the Research Shows About Risks of Myocarditis From Covid Vaccines Versus Risks of Heart Damage From Covid
Soon after the first COVID-19 vaccines appeared in 2021, reports of rare cases of heart inflammation, or myocarditis, began to surface. Read more »
March 12, 2023
Africa: ChatGPT is the Push Higher Education Needs to Rethink Assessment
The COVID-19 pandemic was a shock to higher education systems everywhere. But while some changes, like moving lectures online, were relatively easy to make, assessment posed a much… Read more »
Nigeria: Nigeria's Cities Are Growing Fast - Family Planning Must Be Part of Urban Development Plans
Nigeria is rapidly urbanising, with more people living in urban areas than in rural communities. A recent World Bank estimate shows that 53% of the 213 million Nigerians live in… Read more »
Africa: Pope Francis - The First Post-Colonial Papacy to Deliver Messages That Resonate With Africans
When he was presented to a cheering crowd at St Peter's Square, Vatican City, on 13 March 2013, few people outside Latin America knew much about Jorge Bergoglio. Read more »
March 10, 2023
Africa: Three Years On, The Covid Pandemic May Never End - But The Public Health Impact Is Becoming More Manageable
Three years ago, on March 11 2020, World Health Organization (WHO) director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus first formally described COVID-19 as a pandemic. Read more »
South Africa: Peter Hain - Neil Aggett Died Fighting Apartheid - South Africa's Rulers Have Betrayed the Struggle
Neil Aggett, the trade unionist and anti-apartheid activist who died in detention at the hands of police 41 years ago, was one of very few white South Africans who actively fought… Read more »
March 09, 2023
Africa: Suicide Attempts Rose Among Children and Adolescents During the Covid-19 Pandemic, Especially for Girls
Will the kids be alright? There was hope that children and adolescents would "bounce back" as the pandemic progressed, but sadly, the data suggest otherwise. Read more »
Africa: The World's First Islamic Art Biennale Shines a Light On Muslim African Artists
The inaugural Islamic Arts Biennale is underway in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. (Biennales are large and prestigious international art exhibitions held every two years.) This important… Read more »
Kenya: Kenya's First Skyscraper Closes - and Leaves a Complicated Legacy
The Hilton Hotel was one of Nairobi's first skyscrapers. The iconic cylindrical tower was opened in 1969 by President Jomo Kenyatta, six years after Kenya's independence from… Read more »
South Africa: Depression, Anxiety and Childhood Trauma- Study Explores Links, Prevalence and Who's Most At Risk
Mental health problems among adults are an ever-increasing public health concern. These include depression, anxiety, and conditions associated with bad childhood experiences such… Read more »
Africa: Jimmy Carter's African Legacy - Peacemaker, Negotiator and Defender of Rights
When historians and pundits praise Jimmy Carter's achievements as the US President and extoll his exemplary post-presidential years they mention the recognition of China, the… Read more »
March 08, 2023
Africa: Why Are There So Few Women in Top Development Posts?
A global reckoning is emerging in the international development sector. Donors and the wider public are recognising the need for aid organisations to practise what they preach on… Read more »
Senegal: Traditional Wrestling in Senegal - Much More Than a Sport, It Keeps Culture Alive
Traditional wrestling plays an important role in much of Senegalese society and is one of the country's national sports. Read more »
Tunisia: Tunisia's President Is Targeting Migrants to Divert Attention From Serious Domestic Problems - a Classic Tactic
Tunisia's president Kais Saied recently called for urgent measures against illegal immigration of sub-Saharan African nationals. He said they were a source of "violence, crime and… Read more »
South Africa: Power Cuts - South Africa's State of Disaster Is Being Contested in Court
South Africa has declared a second national state of disaster in less than three years. Read more »