Your kidneys work quietly, filtering waste, balancing fluids and regulating blood pressure every single day. Most people never think about these essential organs until something goes wrong and, unfortunately, statistics show that kidney disease is a growing problem. Millions of South Africans are affected by kidney disease and many do not even know they have it. 

The good news is that kidney disease is one of the most preventable and manageable chronic conditions when detected early.

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

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.

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 2026 will be difficult enough, never mind exceeding it.

• 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 generation across Africa.

• South Africa already knows which skills its economy needs. Prof. Linda du Plessis says the real failure lies in not using that information to guide university funding, enrolment planning and programme development.