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.
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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.
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.
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.
South Africans don’t know much about science. Why this is a problem
South Africans will not see the value that science and technology adds to their daily lives until there is more interest in areas of science.
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.
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.
Invasive species have a massive impact, but wise policy can keep them out
Developing countries have been slow to react to the alien species problem. Its impact can be massively reduced if policies are developed to deal with the issue.
A public protector’s job is to make sure people stick to the law - not to change it
The public protector's proposal to change the mandate of South Africa's Reserve Bank goes well beyond changing individual rules to overturning their very foundation, anchored in the Constitution.
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.
Why ex-combatants pose a threat to Côte d’Ivoire’s stability
Côte d'Ivoire's government needs to provide different incentives and opportunities to former combatants.
Why we welcome poetic justice and despair at poetic injustice
Sometimes people like poetic justice because the law is not in a position to mete out what is deserved.
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.
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.
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.
Keeping your hat on in Jo'burg: changing times of an Indian migrant milliner
Apartheid was to officially end in 1994. So was the fashion of wearing hats as the formalities of business, church and leisure gave way to the informality of urban equality.
The threat to South Africa’s democracy runs deeper than state capture
South Africa's democracy is in trouble. But the challenge is less about who should control state institutions, and more about how they can be refashioned to deliver to the poor.
Frog fossils tell us something new about rain patterns on South Africa’s west coast
Fossils of the lowly frog indicate that the evolution of South Africa's west coast winter rainfall pattern is more complex, and possibly occurred much later, than previously thought
Qatar’s conflict with its neighbours can easily set the Horn of Africa alight
Qatar withdrawing its troops has reignited tensions between Eritrea and Djibouti which the UN and African Union are trying to mediate. This comes as Eritrea is also embroiled in the Yemen civil war.
Why Lesotho’s in such a mess and what can be done about it
Politics in Lesotho can look incredibly complicated, with a mish-mash of competing political parties and repeated military interventions. It’s a mess, but it’s not that hard to unravel.