Pasha 114: Lessons from COVID-19 for other global crises: shutterstock Disasters like the COVID-19 pandemic provide the world with a learning opportunity. It is important that global events like this are used to invoke change for a better world. The pandemic was coming; there have been near misses in this century alone, like SARS, avian …
Pasha 113: COVID-19, the Delta variant and South Africa’s vaccination problems: GettyImages The Delta variant of SARS-COV-2 – the virus that causes COVID-19 – is spreading across South Africa, sparking a strong resurgence of infections. The president has placed the country under stricter regulations in an attempt to curb the spread of the virus. Gauteng …
Pasha 112: The struggles of women doing stand-up in Zimbabwe: file s y Being a comedian in Zimbabwe is no easy profession, particularly if you’re a woman. The problems women face range from violence – for example, Samantha Kureya, known on stage as Gonyeti, was abducted and tortured by masked gunmen – through to attitudes …
Pasha 111: Why it’s important to improve Africa’s research output: shutterstock Research output across the African continent is really low. Many institutions that produce research are severely underdeveloped and underfunded. Many also have a major focus on undergraduate degrees and enrolments. This drive for an undergraduate degree has means that postgraduate education and research is …
Pasha 110: Johannesburg’s romantic comedy revolution reimagines the city: The African romantic comedy genre is part of a trend in the cinema of the global South, projecting images of the “global city”. In South Africa, most black romcoms are set in Johannesburg and they too portray it as a glamorous setting for affluent lifestyles and …
Pasha 109: Ecology research has a huge gap: the work of women and the global South: shutterstock Ecology is the study of the relationships between living organisms, including humans, and the environment around them. It is an important branch of study, exploring how animals, plants, the land, climate and humans are interconnected. But a study …
Pasha 108: Some good news in the fight against hepatitis C in Africa: shutterstock Globally, there are around 71 million people with hepatitis C. In Africa, more than 10 million people are infected with the virus. The new oral therapies that have been developed to treat hepatitis C are much more effective and easier to …
Pasha 107: Exploring the use of the moringa plant in South Africa: shutterstock Moringa is a plant that offers many benefits. It is full of vitamins and other nutrients. It is also believed to have other pharmacological properties. Aside from food, parts of the moringa can be used for firewood, fencing, water purification and fertiliser. …
Pasha 106: COVID-19 is increasing inequality in South Africa: Shutterstock Unemployment, poverty and hunger were issues South Africa knew all too well even before the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic has made them worse. Job losses have increased and unemployment has not been offset by a massive government economic stimulus package and wage compensation scheme. But …
Pasha 105: Two academics weigh in on Botswana allowing elephant hunting: shutterstock Botswana recently offered the rights to shoot around 300 elephants. There have been mixed feelings about this decision. Some say licensed hunting is ecologically necessary. They also say rural communities need revenue from hunting and are at risk of human-wildlife conflict. Others have …
Pasha 104: The fascinating history of the Suez Canal: shutterstock The Suez Canal was in the spotlight recently when the container vessel Ever Given became wedged diagonally across it, causing a massive backlog in shipping traffic. The idea of a canal connecting the Red Sea and the Mediterranean was a dream for many throughout history. …
Pasha 103: Insights from female breadwinners in South Africa: shutterstock In South Africa, about 6 million households have women as the breadwinners – about 38% of all homes. Many of these women don’t choose to be the primary financial provider but are forced into it by circumstances. And they are over-represented in the poorest paying …
Pasha 102: Talking about malaria risk zones and climate change in South Africa: shutterstock Malaria kills over 400,000 people a year across the world. Africa carries the highest burden, with 90% of these deaths occurring on the continent. In South Africa, close to 5 million people are at risk of contracting the disease. Malaria is …
Pasha 101: Two researchers unpack extreme temperatures in South Africa: shutterstock Extreme heat and extreme cold can both have an impact on human health. With a changing climate, these events are set to occur more often. They are also becoming increasingly difficult to predict. Extreme heat stress can result in heatstroke and can affect people’s …
Pasha 100: Tackling banditry, terrorism and kidnapping in Nigeria: GettyImages Insecurity is common throughout Nigeria. But the northern region is the worst affected because of attacks by the terror group Boko Haram, banditry, kidnappings and conflict between farmers and herdsmen. The chaos has led to the closure of some schools and a feeling of helplessness …
Pasha 99: Why Patrice Motsepe is a good choice for the next CAF president: Patrice Motsepe Getty Images The president of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has a tough job. It includes working with FIFA to run the sport in Africa, and overseeing the continent’s tournaments and leagues. There are also issues of broadcast …
Pasha 98: Why it’s important to understand how much water is in the Nile river: shutterstock The Nile river flows through 11 countries in Africa. It is a major source of water for millions of people. This makes it increasingly important that the river is used in a way that’s equitable and fair to all. …
Pasha 97: Everything you need to know about ivermectin: shutterstock Ivermectin has become one of the most talked about drugs in the world. A highly effective treatment for fighting parasites in animals, it was later also shown to be effective in humans. In 2015 the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine was given to William …