Toxic leaders affect companies, and governments. How to deal with them
Organisational psychopathy, generally known as toxic leadership, is common in the private sector. It's emerging more often in the public space too.
Academic rigour, journalistic flair
Analysis and Comment
Eskom CEO saga highlights massive systems failure in South Africa
The drama caused by the return of Brain Molefe into South Africa's power utility, Eskom, signals a failure of accountability and corporate governance within the public sector.
All dogs go to heaven
In many cultures and religions dogs are more than protection and security. But do they have an after-life?
It’s 30 years since Cuito Cuanavale. How the battle redefined southern Africa
For a military battle whose outcome is still hotly contested 30 years later, the impact was so remarkably clear -- independence for Namibia, peace for Angola and the death knell for apartheid.
Growth is dying as the silver bullet for success. Why this may be good thing
Our approach to economic growth has done more harm than good and must be be replaced with more appropriate goals.
Why exploring for oil under Lake Kivu carries unique and huge risks
There are large amounts of methane and carbon dioxide dissolved in the deep waters of lake Kivu - if disturbed they could cause a catastrophe.
Where Africa fits into China’s massive Belt and Road Initiative
China has launched a quietly aggressive global trade, development and infrastructure initiative based on the ancient Silk Road model. But is Africa welcome on the journey to renewed prosperity?
How African countries can harness the huge potential of their oceans
Many African countries are sitting on vast and under-utilised oceanic territories that have the potential to unlock enormous economic value, if properly governed.
Democracy is taking root in Africa. But that doesn’t mean it works all the time
As we celebrate Africa Day and reflect on how far the continent has come since the Organisation of African Unity was founded in 1963, it's a good time to assess whether democracy is working.
There’s not enough evidence to back the claim that humans originated in Europe
The theory that humankind originated in Europe is an old one. It was abandoned in 1924 when the first Australopithecus was discovered in South Africa.
Gender-based violence in South Africa: what’s missing and how to fix it
High profile stories of femicide come with a flare up of societal outrage, protest and collective introspection. But nothing ever really changes.
Populism on the rise as South Africa and Namibia gear up to elect new presidents
South Africa's ANC and Namibia's SWAPO, governing parties, enter crucial leadership elections this year, with presidents Zuma and Geingob both facing challenges.
Meeting the dietary needs of honey bees is tough for South African beekeepers
Beekeeping cannot depend on a single forage source. This makes the business of ensuring bees have what they need to stay healthy a precarious business.
Why resilience matters for schools trying to thrive in tough situations
Schools that have supportive strategies in place can offer buffers. They can promote positive outcomes -- for pupils and teachers.
The pros and cons of commercial farming models in Africa
Many African countries are still searching for inclusive commercial farming models that can bring in private investment without dispossessing local people.
African scientists are punching above their weight and changing the world
Africa's overall contribution to research might be small, but smart people are undertaking smart and important work on and about the continent.
International news
The rising homegrown terror threat on the right
The United States is seeing an uptick in far-right extremist violence. It's time to pay more attention to this scourge and its causes.
Are UK pollsters heading for another embarrassing election?
Polling is difficult – and everyone except pollsters overestimates how accurate polls are.
Health matters
Here’s how to prevent another anthrax outbreak in Kenya
Governments in anthrax endemic countries should build efficient surveillance systems that incorporate detection, confirmation and efficient data collation and feedback.
Three ideas on how the new WHO DG can build health systems from the bottom up
The new director-general of the World Health Organisation has set universal health coverage as a priority. There are several ways to make headway with this goal.
The WHO’s new African leader could be a shot in the arm for poorer countries
Big alcohol is poised to expand into Africa. Why this is bad news for health
Ensuring safer pregnancies for Kenyan women in urban slums
Africa must reboot its health systems to cope with non-communicable diseases
Kids on social grants are less likely to be obese. They also go to school earlier
Speed and co-ordination are key to curbing the DRC’s Ebola outbreak
From our archives
Rebellion is on the march against Zuma. But will it be enough to oust him?
The latest backlash against South Africa's President Jacob Zuma sees demands for his removal grow wider and deeper than ever before.
Research and Expert Database
Editors’ Picks
Review: Wonder Woman reinvigorates tired superhero conventions
As a comic hero, Wonder Woman's antecedents reach back to the suffragettes. And a long awaited feature film offers us a fittingly feminist story.
Around the world, environmental laws are under attack in all sorts of ways
Legislation designed to protect wildlife is being rolled back or ignored in all sorts of ways in all sorts of places, according to a new global database of attacks on green tape.
Explainer: the rise of naked tourism
The trend of 'naked tourism' reveals something more than just bare bottoms – and it may call for some active interventions.
Sustainable shopping: for eco-friendly jeans, stop washing them so often
Our clothes are cheaper, flimsier and shorter-lived than ever. But jeans, a staple of the modern wardrobe, are actually designed to be long-lasting – provided you take proper care of them.
When image trumps ideology: How JFK created the template for the modern presidency
Reagan, Clinton, Obama and Trump would all pull from the Kennedy playbook, from mastering the media to exuding masculine vitality.
What science can reveal about the psychological profiles of terrorists
A new study suggests that distorted moral cognition is what set terrorists apart from the rest of us.
Has Everest’s iconic Hillary Step really collapsed? Here’s the science
Reports claim the feature has vanished – but then mountains are always changing shape.
Star Wars turns 40 and it still inspires our real life space junkies
Star Wars was a swashbuckling space fantasy that inspired some of the technology we see today, four decades after the film's release.
The surprising science of fidgeting
There can be benefits to fidgeting, such as boosting attention or helping you burn up to 800 extra calories a day. But it comes at a cost...
Why Ramadan is called Ramadan: 6 questions answered
There are many myths around Ramadan. A scholar explains the religious observance and its spiritual significance.
After the ‘Facebook Files’, the social media giant must be more transparent
Facebook should give the public more insight into how content moderation decisions are made.
Female entrepreneurs and the curse of ‘male-only’ business attributes
Women in business can be forced to define themselves in opposition to the attributes associated with men.
Brazil’s tide against corruption swells
Brazil's political crisis is spiraling to a new level amid the release of recordings that allegedly caught the president authorizing a bribe. Fixing this mess will take more than a personnel change.
Meet Theresa May’s Conservatives – they’re not the nasty party, honest
Did you think this was the Conservative party's 2017 election manifesto? Think again. This is the Theresa May show.
Five bloodcurdling medical procedures that are no longer performed … thankfully
If the thought of undergoing surgery fills you with dread, spare a thought for your forebears.
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Most Read past week
- Growth is dying as the silver bullet for success. Why this may be good thing
- Gender-based violence in South Africa: what’s missing and how to fix it
- Where Africa fits into China’s massive Belt and Road Initiative
- Big alcohol is poised to expand into Africa. Why this is bad news for health
- Democracy is taking root in Africa. But that doesn’t mean it works all the time
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