STEM Beyond the Classroom
For learners to understand the relevance of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, they need more than opportunities to learn concepts. They need opportunities to see those concepts at work in their homes, communities, workplaces and the world around them. This does not mean replacing the classroom. Schools provide the essential knowledge and foundations on which […]
Young scientists, innovators tackle South Africa’s water crisis
A team of young scientists and innovators are helping to find solutions to South Africa’s water challenges. The group emerged as the winning team at the 2026 Wetskills South Africa programme, an International innovation workshop focused on water sustainability. The participants developed innovative responses to the country’s growing problem of non-revenue water, which is treated water that the […]
South Africa and China deepen scientific cooperation in AI, quantum and health
South Africa and China have agreed to deepen scientific and technological cooperation, with artificial intelligence, quantum computing, talent development, health innovation, energy research and science and technology parks identified as priority areas for expanded collaboration. South African Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation Prof. Blade Nzimande held a high-level strategic meeting with his Chinese counterpart, […]
SA innovation takes centre stage at Chinese Innovation Forum
South Africa’s scientific and technological capabilities will this week come under the international spotlight when it participates as Country of Honour at the 19th Pujiang Innovation Forum in Shanghai, China. This colossal task, from 11 – 14 September, will rest on the shoulders of a distinguished delegation of South African scientists, innovators and researchers that […]
Early childhood is a great time to learn about clean energy: this game aims to make it fun
Global challenges, such as climate change, biodiversity loss and resource depletion, force a rethink of how to prepare the next generation. These issues are not far away from children’s lives. Education holds a responsibility. Early childhood – from birth to 8 years old – is a stage where children develop values and problem-solving skills. It is marked by rapid […]
The story of a vegetable garden in rural South Africa shows how communities can drive climate action
A long-standing idea in environmental research is that people are more likely to care about the environment, and do something to prevent environmental damage, once they earn enough to stop worrying about paying their bills. But what happens in rural communities with high levels of poverty, where money is scarce and environmental changes directly affect people’s livelihoods? Read more
South Africa’s food system is failing children – what must change
Child malnutrition in South Africa casts a long shadow across the life course. For example, stunting or being short for their age compromises children’s physical growth and their brain development in ways that limit their education and employment prospects. Stunted and overweight children are both at greater risk of developing noncommunicable diseases such as obesity, […]
SA scientists decode cancer’s ‘cloak of invisibility’ in ‘major leap forward’
A team at the University of Cape Town has successfully recreated and modelled the process by which tumours bypass the body’s natural defences. In the intricate biology of the human body, organs such as the breast, colon and lungs are lined with a defensive barrier known as the epithelium. At the heart of this barrier […]
Super El Niño may push an already stressed climate ecosystem across a critical threshold, climate change researcher says
Forecasters are warning that the ongoing El Niño is likely to become supercharged in the coming months and inject potentially unprecedented heat into our already warming world. El Niño is the warm phase of a multiyear natural climate pattern, but models suggest this year’s cycle will be exceptionally intense. Super El Niño conditions could contribute to temperature extremes […]
Celebrating National Science Month
National Science Month, an expansion of National Science Week, gives individuals and institutions a focused opportunity to interest South Africans in science, technology and innovation and show how they affect our lives. We are calling everyone – science councils, industry, universities, schools, TVET colleges, and government departments from across the country – to join us […]