African countries at COP28: several big wins and a united voice: African countries entered the recent COP28 negotiations on climate change in high spirits. Before this conference, in September, African government leaders, policymakers, activists and other groups from the continent met at the African Climate Summit in Nairobi, Kenya. The African position and expectations for …
Victor Ekpuk is a Nigerian artist who uses ancient African graphic writing systems to unveil a stunning new display of creativity: Victor Ekpuk is an internationally renowned Nigerian artist known for his artwork inspired by ancient African writing and graphic writing systems. INTERwoven TEXTures is his first solo exhibition at the important Efi? gallery in …
4 east African countries are going for nuclear power – why this is a bad idea: The east Africa region has the fastest growing population in Africa. Between 2013 and 2017, its growth rate was twice the African average. The region is also experiencing strong economic growth. It’s sub-Saharan share of GDP has risen from …
Nine out of 10 South African criminals reoffend, while in Finland it’s 1 in 3. This is why: A very large percentage of South Africans who are released from prison end up being rearrested and being convicted for crimes again. The country has one of the highest recidivism rates in the world. Criminologist Casper L?tter …
African countries lost control to foreign mining companies – the 3 steps that allowed this to happen: Within a few years of independence, African governments asserted sovereignty over their metal and mineral resources. Prior to this, the resources were exploited by European mining corporations. Since the 1990s, transnational corporations have once again become the dominant …
Building African cities that cope with climate shocks – experts outline what it will take: The international climate change negotiations began almost three decades ago when many were still hesitant to accept that human activities were changing the planet. Now the scientific evidence is unequivocal. Climate change is a major threat to our wellbeing, the …
Opera in Cape Town: critics trace how a colonial art form was reinvented as African: Many people thought that classical opera in South Africa – regarded as a western, colonial art form that was the preserve of white people during apartheid – would die with democracy in 1994. Instead the opposite happened. Black singers emerged …
Sharpeville: new research on 1960 South African massacre shows the number of dead and injured was massively undercounted: On 21 March 1960 at 1.40 in the afternoon, apartheid South Africa’s police opened fire on a peaceful crowd of about 4,000 residents of Sharpeville, who were protesting against carrying identity documents that restricted black people’s movement. …
Southern African troops versus M23 rebels in the DRC: 4 risks this poses: The security situation in the eastern region of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) continues to deteriorate. The region comprises North Kivu, South Kivu and Ituri provinces. It’s about seven times the size of neighbouring Rwanda. The violence in North Kivu has …
South African politicians vs judges: new book defends the constitution: In 1994, South Africa became a democracy founded on a supreme constitution. The constitution’s preamble affirms the nation’s quest to establish a society based on democratic values, social justice and fundamental human rights. The constitution clearly envisioned political accountability and judicial review of executive and …
A free messaging app seemed useful for disadvantaged South African students: why they didn’t agree: South African higher education is plagued by inequalities due to the social and economic legacies of apartheid. More than 50% of enrolment in higher education is from black, working-class, disadvantaged households from rural areas who depend on state-funded student aid. …
South African university students use AI to help them understand – not to avoid work: Students are not adopting digital and AI-powered tools uncritically. tzido/iStock When ChatGPT was released in November 2022, it sparked many conversations and moral panics. These centre on the impact of generative artificial intelligence (AI) on the information environment. People worry …
Health risks at home: a study in six African countries shows how healthy housing saves children’s lives: Housing is a critical social determinant of health. The World Health Organization (WHO) defines healthy housing as a shelter that supports physical, mental and social wellbeing. The WHO has developed guidelines outlining the attributes of healthy housing. These …
Henry Bredekamp and the Khoisan: the living legacy of a renowned South African historian: When Professor Henry Charles “Jatti” Bredekamp began his career as a historian of early Cape Town in South Africa, there was still a commonly held myth that the region’s native people, the Khoisan, had “all but disappeared”. This was in the …
Telkom to launch Telkom Transformation and Innovation Awards: Celebrating South African Innovators: Telkom, a leading technology company in South Africa, is proud to announce the launch of the Telkom Transformation and Innovation Awards, set to take place on the 14th of November 2023. This ground-breaking event marks the beginning of an annual celebration, recognising Telkom’s …
My parents are from two different African countries: study shows how this shapes identity: More than a third of migration in sub-Saharan Africa happens within the continent. This mixing of people means that some children have parents of different national origins. Yet not enough is known about the lives of these children: how they form …
Growing African vegetables on buildings can save space and feed cities – new study: The Eco Green Wall is an example of a sustainable living wall system. Karen Botes As cities grow, more people need food. However, space for farming is limited in cities. Building facades can offer a solution for growing food. We asked …
Some African governments are spending millions to spy on their citizens – stifling debate and damaging democracy: Governments around the world use surveillance technology to monitor external threats to national security. Some African governments are also spending vast sums on mass surveillance of their own citizens. They are using mobile phone spyware, internet interception devices, …