insert_link World HIV breakthrough: drug trial shows injection twice a year is 100% effective against infection By Linda-Gail Bekker, University of Cape Town A large clinical trial in South Africa and Uganda has shown that a twice-yearly injection of a new pre-exposure prophylaxis drug gives young women total protection from HIV infection. The trial tested whether the six-month injection of lenacapavir would provide better protection against HIV infection than two other drugs, both daily pills. All three medications are pre-exposure prophylaxis (or […] todayJuly 3, 2024 29
insert_link Science & Technology Rise of digital activism in Africa as smartphone adoption surges By Conrad Onyango, bird story agency From just making calls, to taking pictures and light browsing, to engaging in e-commerce transactions to, recently, engaging in digital activism, the way Africans are engaging with their smartphones is fast evolving. This is happening against the backdrop of a surge in smartphone usage across the continent, according to three recent reports. Three different reports show that […] todayJuly 3, 2024 31
insert_link Africa South Africa’s new agricultural leadership should focus on getting things done, not designing new policies By Wandile Sihlobo, Stellenbosch University South Africa’s primary agriculture sector accounts for nearly 3% of GDP and about 8% when considering the value of agro-processing. But it can contribute even more to economic growth that delivers benefits fairly across society and creates jobs. This can’t happen, however, if new policies and plans keep getting introduced. Fortunately, the views of the new agricultural minister, John Steenhuisen, may […] todayJuly 3, 2024 27
insert_link Environment South Africa’s 70,000kg rhino horn stockpile must be burnt to prevent illegal trading By Jason Gilchrist, Edinburgh Napier University Despite a global ban on international buying and selling of rhino horn since 1977, the South African government and owners of private rhino reserves continue to stockpile it. A new report by the EMS Foundation, a South African social justice and conservation organisation, advocates strongly against this practice. Ecologist and mammal conservation researcher Jason Gilchrist discusses what the […] todayJuly 3, 2024 14
insert_link South Africa How democracy can work at community level: 3 lessons from a South African protest movement By Luke Sinwell, University of Johannesburg Popular protests have surged around the world over the last decade. But do they work? And what lessons can be learnt from communities who have a history of militant protests? When the African National Congress (ANC) was elected to power in South Africa’s first democratic elections in 1994, many believed that popular protests, which were the […] todayJuly 2, 2024 22
insert_link Health / Medical Africa races to increase vaccine manufacturing capacity, concerns rise over Europe’s control By Conrad Onyango, bird story agency As Africa races to be more independent in vaccine production, Europe is seeking greater control in building and scaling of local manufacturing hubs. In June, France hosted the launch of African Vaccine Manufacturing Accelerator (AVMA) an approximately US$1 billion project geared towards making vaccines more available in Africa - away from African soil. Only 2% of vaccines […] todayJuly 2, 2024 42
insert_link Africa Kenya protests: Ruto pulling the finance bill is unlikely to satisfy angry young protesters – here’s why By Kathleen Klaus, Uppsala University In a move that shocked observers, Kenya’s President William Ruto announced on 26 June he was withdrawing his government’s highly controversial finance bill. This followed two days in which tens of thousands of mostly young protesters took to the streets in nationwide rallies against the proposals contained in the country’s 2024 budget. Kathleen Klaus, who has studied […] todayJune 27, 2024 66
insert_link Health / Medical Technology makes it possible to diagnose diseases on the spot – but South Africa’s public healthcare system faces several obstacles By Tivani Mashamba-Thompson, University of Pretoria Digital technology has hugely improved healthcare in many ways. It’s now possible to test patients on the spot – in a clinic or hospital – for many health conditions. Digital diagnostic devices can analyse samples like sweat, saliva, faeces, tears and breath for signs of major diseases such as cancer and HIV. Testing at the point […] todayJune 26, 2024 29
insert_link Africa South Africa’s coalition government – making the case for hope By Brian Levy, Johns Hopkins University In the aftermath of South Africa’s recent election, renewed hope has made an unexpected appearance. In difficult times, even small gains can be valuable. But, on occasion, much more is possible. Small gains can feed on each other; momentum can build; a virtuous spiral can take hold. This may be such a moment. It’s not ordinarily a […] todayJune 26, 2024 12
