News
Electric minibus taxis: the challenges and gains facing Cape Town's transition
9+ hour, 58+ min ago (1010+ words) The minibus taxi is ubiquitous in southern Africa. These vehicles are the backbone of the urban economy, providing affordable mobility for millions. In Cape Town, South Africa's second most populous city, they are central to the transport landscape. Around two-thirds…...
Pope Leo's visit to Africa: theology scholar outlines 3 realities the Catholic church must face
3+ day, 8+ hour ago (1198+ words) Pope Leo's decision to make Africa one of the early destinations of his young papacy signals the continent's importance in global Catholicism. His April 2026 visit reflects both his personal ties to Africa and the rapid rise of Christianity across the…...
South African court orders Eskom to disclose R70 billion coal and diesel contracts " why the ruling matters
6+ day, 3+ hour ago (864+ words) South Africa's Supreme Court of Appeal recently ruled that the country's state-owned electricity utility Eskom must disclose its contracts with coal and diesel suppliers. This is a major victory for transparency in a sector that has long been marked by…...
Zimbabwe's push to extend the president's rule could deepen elite divisions and weaken democracy
1+ week, 4+ day ago (872+ words) Research Associate, Dept of Anthropology & Development Studies and Fellow, Clare Hall, University of Cambridge, University of Johannesburg David B. Moore does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this…...
Economic policy in South Africa neglects informal traders: 5 focus areas to support the sector
2+ week, 3+ hour ago (809+ words) Siphelele Ngidi received funding from Women in Informal Employment Globalising and Organising (WIEGO) to support the research that informed this article. University of the Witwatersrand provides support as a hosting partner of The Conversation AFRICA. The informal economy is responsible…...
Handpumps bring water to rural African communities, but many are broken " study models how best to maintain them
2+ week, 1+ day ago (921+ words) In rural sub-Saharan Africa, access to clean drinking water often depends on a simple technology: the handpump. These manually operated systems pump water out of the ground for more than 184 million people. Yet despite their importance, research has found that…...
South Africa's power utility Eskom wants to cut electricity to municipalities that haven't paid: households may pay the price
2+ week, 4+ day ago (759+ words) Professor of Economics, University of Pretoria Roula Inglesi-Lotz receives funding from NRF through the SARChi Research Chair initiative. University of Pretoria provides funding as a partner of The Conversation AFRICA. Eskom went through many tough years burdened by high debt…...
Carbon capture in rural South Africa: projects show how fighting climate change can create rural jobs " research
2+ week, 5+ day ago (883+ words) Research Scientist: Centre for Global Change, Walter Sisulu University Senior Lecturer in Human Geography in the Department of Biological & Environmental Sciences, Walter Sisulu University Across the world, climate governance bodies are finding ways to capture greenhouse gas emissions from the…...
South Africa needs R250 billion just to meet basic climate adaptation needs over the next decade
2+ week, 6+ day ago (1001+ words) Senior research officer: Climate Adaptation in the African Climate and Development Initiative (ACDI), University of Cape Town University of Cape Town provides funding as a partner of The Conversation AFRICA. Our team reviewed South Africa's latest climate risk evidence and…...
Diana Ferrus: the South African poet whose words reclaimed history
3+ week, 2+ day ago (1218+ words) Associate Professor and Head of the Department of English Literary Studies, University of Cape Town Barbara Boswell does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and…...