Demonstration farms can help revolutionise African agriculture
Demonstration farms are a key way in which new knowledge can be transferred to farmers around the world.
Academic rigour, journalistic flair
Analysis and Comment
Could an African passport bring to life the dreams of Nkrumah, Senghor and Touré?
The introduction of an African passport has the capacity to bring about increased migration of Africans within Africa.
Why South Africa’s public protector has overstepped her mandate
The prevailing mandate of the South African Reserve Bank is informed by sound economics and the need to protect the institution from the whims of politicians.
Nuclear and coal lobbies threaten to scupper renewables in South Africa
Eskom's stand threatens the viability of the entire renewable energy sector in South Africa, something which plays into the hands of those pro coal and nuclear.
How South Africa can stop political interference in who gets prosecuted
South Africa’s National Prosecuting Authority has failed to pursue members of the executive. But a separate prosecuting body assigned only political cases could be the answer.
South Africa’s Jacob Zuma is fast running out of political lives
President Jacob Zuma has been brought to book repeatedly by South Africa's courts. He also faces a rising tide of discontent. One way or another, he seems to be running out of political lives.
South Africa’s central bank row points to dangerous levels of intolerance
A financial system that is sure to collapse if the central bank cares about people’s well-being goes against democratic principle.
Pursuing a 30-year old bailout is sending South Africa on a wild goose chase
South Africa's Public Protector, Busisiwe Mkhwebane has touched on two highly contentious issues: the unresolved bailout for a local bank three decades ago. And the role of the country's Reserve Bank.
There are dangers behind giving South African MPs the right to a secret ballot
A motion of no confidence - secret or open - in South Africa's president will be destabilising. There's value in ensuring that such a hefty decision is made openly and with courage of conviction.
How Kenya could move away from the politics of ethnicity
Kenya must address the problem of tribalism and ethnic violence. To do this leaders must critically examine the concept of political ideology.
Despite Brexit, the EU still holds valuable lessons for African integration
For real integration to happen, the Pan African Parliament needs to be imbued with supranational law-making powers. But national sovereignty is something that many states are reluctant to give up.
Blocking out the sun to reduce global warming - an idea still in the making
Solar radiation management might be able to reduce some of the risks of global warming while countries get their emissions under control.
International news
Russia’s geopolitical PR campaign finds a perfect opening in North Africa
As far as Moscow's concerned, the stakes in Libya are low and the potential returns very high.
How the things migrants send back home help them build a bridge across continents
From sofas, to clothes and jam, a lot of 'things' are being sent between migrants and their loved ones.
Health matters
Open, free access to health evidence: a new precedent for Africa
South Africa has become the first country on the continent to purchase a national licence to the Cochrane library -- giving everyone access to evidence-based information about health care.
How 50 medical experts separated Kenyan conjoined twins in 23-hour surgery
Successfully separating conjoined twins is a complex operation that depends on how they are joined as well as the experience and skill of the surgical team.
Why competition is key to cutting the cost of cancer drugs in South Africa
The high cost of cancer drugs in South Africa has come under the spotlight with an investigation by the Competition Commission in the country.
A shorter dose of antibiotics is adequate for preventing surgical site infections
Infection of wounds for surgery patients is on the rise in developing countries. A shorter dose of antibiotics is appropriate.
Research and Expert Database
Editors’ Picks
Cash is falling out of fashion – will it disappear forever?
You can now pay your way with apps, cryptocurrencies and other digital alternatives. Physical money might one day look like a relic of the past.
The ATM at 50: how a hole in the wall changed the world
It all began with a newfangled bank machine in Enfield.
New form of carbon discovered that is harder than diamond but flexible as rubber
Compressed glassy carbon could be used to make better bulletproof vests or new types of electronics.
On Eid 2017, a peek into the lives of Puerto Rican Muslims
There are an estimated 3,500 to 5,000 Muslims in Puerto Rico. Who are they and what is their history?
African-American Music Appreciation Month: 5 essential reads
The story of African-American music is a story of eclipsing expectations and subverting norms.
From gay Nazis to ‘we’re here, we’re queer’: A century of arguing about gay pride
Gay pride has many exuberant advocates. It also has critics in unexpected places.
In This Corner of the World: a Japanese film caught between past and present
It's widely known as a crowdfunding record-breaker, but the painstaking work to recreate Hiroshima in a new anime film is a nod to its traditional roots.
Could asteroids bombard the Earth to cause a mass extinction in ten million years?
Researchers are looking at whether devastating asteroid strikes are predictable or random.
Online news is highly polarised in some countries – but technology is not to blame
The latest research shows that polarisation of audiences varies widely even in countries with a similar access to new technology.
Elon Musk releases details of plan to colonise Mars – here’s what a planetary expert thinks
Musk dismisses one of the main technical challenges of being on the Martian surface: the temperature.
Hung parliaments have voted down the Queen’s speech before – here’s what happened
And two of the occasions involved Irish MPs.
Why Oliver Cromwell may have been Britain’s greatest ever general – new analysis of battle reports
He strapped on a sword aged 43 – and changed British history.
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