Science
latest news & developments
The microplastics hiding in SA’s sacred waters
A landmark baseline study has discovered microplastic contamination across several sacred freshwater systems in South Africa, including the revered Isinuka Springs near Port St…
From Backyard Remedies to Hospital Wards: Why Science and African Medicine Must Work Together
As South Africa observes Heritage Month, bridging the gap between traditional healing and scientific research is essential to ensure indigenous medicinal plants are safe,…
The 2026 NRF Awards celebrate South Africa’s research and science stars
The 2026 National Research Foundation (https://www.nrf.ac.za/) (NRF) Awards honoured South Africa’s top researchers and scientists at a prestigious ceremony held on Thursday, 3…
Very strong El Niño forecast for southern Africa this summer
Southern Africa is bracing for a very strong El Niño this summer, developing earlier than usual and set to peak between October and January, though experts caution precise…
The bluebuck, rebuilt
More than two centuries after the bluebuck vanished from the Western Cape, biotech firm Colossal Biosciences is attempting to genetically reconstruct the extinct antelope.…
Tiny bees, big job: tracking pesticide pollution in Africa’s water
Researchers at the University of Pretoria propose using honey bees as low-cost bioindicators to detect pesticide pollution in sub-Saharan Africa's water, addressing critical gaps…
The missing piece in climate change? Scientists say it could be wind
University of Pretoria researchers on Marion Island have found that shifting wind patterns, often overlooked in climate models, play a crucial role in shaping sub-Antarctic…
Dr Sivuyisiwe Mapukata
The future of mining will be defined not only by what we extract from the earth, but by what we create from it. Dr Sivuyisiwe Mapukata is at the forefront of that transformation,…
Dr Masedi Masekane
Dr Masedi Masekane, 32, is pushing the boundaries of nuclear physics while building scientific partnerships that extend far beyond South Africa. As a postdoctoral research…
Dr Thomas Hlamalani Mongwe
Dr Thomas Hlamalani Mongwe, 35, is a chemistry lecturer at the University of Mpumalanga whose career bridges scientific research, higher education and African indigenous…
Nokukhanya Mthiyane
For Nokukhanya Mthiyane, science is more than a profession — it is a commitment to changing lives. At just 31, the cytopathology scientist and training facilitator at Lancet…
Siyethaba Zinhle Bhengu
For Siyethaba Zinhle Bhengu, scientific discovery is ultimately about improving lives. As a master's candidate in human physiology at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, she is…
The brilliance of Iran’s governance structure
The sheer brilliance of Iran’s three-tiered governance structure
Inquiry-based chemistry training for west coast natural sciences teacher
Advancing Knowledge Non-Profit Company (AK NPC) has continued its professional development programme for Natural Sciences educators in the West Coast Education District of the…
Technology is reshaping, not replacing, human value
Automation is freeing people to focus on areas that truly require human intelligence in the form of creativity, innovation, empathy and problem-solving