79 deaths a day: South Africa’s diabetes crisis needs a new strategy
Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) recently released its report on deaths that occurred in 2024. The headline findings contain a sobering, recurring truth: diabetes was once again the country’s leading underlying natural cause of death. In 2024 alone, 28,767 people died from complications caused by diabetes, accounting for 6.1% of all deaths nationwide. That is […]
Sacred springs of South Africa: pure waters or polluted? We found tiny bits of plastic in the samples we tested
Across South Africa, natural springs are more than sources of freshwater. Some are places of healing, spiritual cleansing and rituals, where communities collect water and maintain longstanding cultural connections with the environment. For example, during cleansing rituals, people bathe in or collect spring water as a way of seeking spiritual renewal, healing and protection. These […]
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 […]