Protest is democratic, but violence undermines student success

Protest is a democratic right, but violence and intimidation threaten the very student success activists seek to protect.

South Africa’s post-school education system faces R59 billion in outstanding debt, placing both students and universities under immense pressure.

When a country starts rationing its future

South Africa’s growing scrutiny of foreign academics may deliver quicker gains in representation while weakening the expertise needed to develop the country’s next generation of scholars.

Localisation determines who occupies existing opportunities. Development determines how many…

The Sydney Sweeney ad controversy: Is this really good ‘exposure’?

Sydney Sweeney’s provocative Novig campaign attracted millions of views, but did it build the betting platform’s brand – or merely make its celebrity partner more famous?

“Attention is the easy part. Attention is not brand building.” Prof. Roland Goldberg examines whether Novig’s…

Is the current AI panic justified?

AI agents acting beyond human control have intensified fears about cyberattacks and catastrophic risks, but is the panic justified?

Prof. Anné Verhoef warns that AI’s greatest immediate threat is not killer robots, but attacks on the digital systems that modern society depends on.

Nuclear power can meet Africa’s and AI’s energy demands

Africa’s AI ambitions will demand vast amounts of reliable electricity. Prof. Bismark Tyobeka believes nuclear power could provide it. 

Nuclear accidents dominate public perception, but the evidence places nuclear among the safest sources of electricity.

GDP setback highlights vulnerabilities in economic recovery

The negative gross domestic product (GDP) growth figures of -0,2% for the second quarter of 2026 confirm the bad knock the South African economy – together with many other economies – took as a result of the recent global energy shock. StatsSA released the latest figures on 8 September.

Fuel shock reaches far beyond the pumps

Deep pockets will no longer suffice; we now need them to extend all the way down to our knees. The fuel price increases that took effect on Wednesday, 2 September will place further strain on an economy struggling to keep its head above water. Achieving National Treasury’s already modest growth forecast of 1.6% for…

Africa must brace for a powerful El Niño

Africa must brace for a powerful El Niño that could bring punishing heat and drought to the south, while triggering excessive rainfall and flooding in parts of the east.

A severe El Niño could threaten harvests, water supplies, household budgets, public health and electricity…

NWU researchers honoured at prestigious NRF Awards

Two North-West University (NWU) scholars have received national recognition for research addressing two defining challenges of the modern age: the impact of HIV on African communities and the growing influence of artificial intelligence on journalism.

Prof. Monray Williams and Soligah…

It is time for the South African Blue Crane to spread its wings as a national icon

More than 99% of the world’s Blue Cranes live in South Africa, yet our national bird remains one of the country’s most underused tourism assets.

The Blue Crane is a living part of South Africa’s heritage, yet the species’ ‘Vulnerable’ status shows that national-symbol status does not…