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Mail & Guardian

Funding

latest news & developments
Donor funding is shrinking just as science has delivered powerful new medication that could dramatically cut new HIV infections. Photo: Felipe Varanda/IAS
HIV

Aids is no longer exceptional. What happens now?

The International Aids Conference in Rio de Janeiro highlighted a stark reality: the era of Aids exceptionalism is ending amid unprecedented funding cuts. As science delivers…

  • Mia Malan
9 min read
The JSE’s SME Rise Enterprise Accelerator Programme continues to position itself as a critical enabler in South Africa’s economic ecosystem, offering structured support in areas such as funding readiness, market expansion and operational excellence.
ALTX

JSE SME programme drives growth as BoTong Civils reports 418% revenue jump

The Johannesburg Stock Exchange has welcomed the fifth cohort of its SME Rise Enterprise Accelerator Programme, supporting high-growth companies in scaling operations, accessing…

  • Brian Sokutu
2 min read
Medicines, especially advanced therapies, come with high price tags. Photo: Madelene Cronje
FUNDING

Address barriers to accessing innovative medicines

Too often, systems have been designed around protecting profits rather than protecting lives

  • Matimba Ngobeni
3 min read
Civil society movements survive. One is the Amadiba Crisis Committee, which has for years led a community-driven campaign against titanium mining in the Xolobeni area of the Wild Coast, Eastern Cape. Photo: File
CIVIL SOCIETY

Beyond NGOs: Why civil society will survive and thrive

Grassroots movements survive because they are driven by commitment, flexible, adaptable and hard to dismantle

  • Sibahle Zuma
6 min read
In times of crisis, and with humanitarian funding in decline, the outlook for women and girls will be devastating. Photo: File
FUNDING

As humanitarian funding declines, investing in preparedness is essential

Being prepared is not only economically sound, it is essential for people’s well-being and safety

  • Marietta Wildt & Mathias Gakwerere
4 min read
Antimicrobial resistance silent pandemic that already claims more than 1.3 million lives every year. File photo
AMR

Aid cuts, including by UK, undermine progress on fight against superbugs

Antimicrobial resistance threatens global health and economic stability. Urgent investment in surveillance, innovation and stewardship is critical to containment

  • Jose L Balcazar
4 min read
Young people understand social media dynamics, peer-to-peer communication and community mobilisation in ways that can be used improve health services. Photo: Bulungula Incubator
AFRICA

In the time of aid cuts, decentralise women’s health funding

Women and young people don’t need foreign experts to tell them what their communities need; they need resources and support to implement locally developed and relevant solutions

  • Hauwa Ojeifo
4 min read
Graphic: John McCann
CITIZENS UNITED V FEDERAL ELECTION COMMISSION

Should money be a ‘form of speech’ in politics?

Permitting political parties to receive donations of unlimited amounts and from undisclosed sources exposes the government and its democratic values to corruption

  • Aaron Ng’ambi
6 min read
INDEPENDENT

Media like the Mail & Guardian are critical for democracy

Legacy publications struggle in the digital age and they need investment, not cutting skilled staff

  • Ron Derby
6 min read
South African actors John Kani (left, as ‘Creon’) and Winston Ntshona (1941-2018, as ‘Antigone’) perform at the final dress rehearsal of the Market Theatre of Johannesburg/Royal National Theatre revival of Athol Fugard’s ‘The Island’ at the Brooklyn Academy of Music Harvey Theater, Brooklyn, New York, New York, March 31, 2003. Kani and Ntshona co-authored the play with Athol Fugard in 1973. (Photo by Jack Vartoogian/Getty Images)
AND CULTURE

Market Theatre needs funding as audiences, donor support decline

Patrons have not returned to theatres in their numbers after the Covid-19 lockdowns were lifted.

  • Kimberley Schoeman
3 min read
Communication professionals have a role to play in bridging this gap, translating the sustainable development goals into relatable narratives that resonate with people and inspire collective action. (Getty Images)
ELECTRICITY

How the just energy transition money will be distributed

Eskom will receive most of the funding, while the rest will go to the trade, industry and competition department and for developing the electric vehicle industry

  • Mandisa Makgakga
2 min read
Unemployed men sit waiting for workThe present economic stagnation may partly be a result of a lack of diversification, which limits employment opportunities and overall workforce employability. (Delwyn Verasamy/M&G)
BUSINESS

Entrepreneurs won’t create enough jobs without a rethink in how they are supported

A systems thinking approach is needed to help us understand why the playing fields are uneven, and how to even them up

  • Phumlani Nkontwana
5 min read
Measuring a country’s capacity to achieve its NDC targets is crucial, because it provides the foundation for improving capacity development, enhancing knowledge and optimising financial flows.
CLIMATE CHANGE

Will South Africa’s ‘green deal’ deliver as promised?

Civil society and affected people must be involved in the development of an investment plan and in discussions with international partners

  • Melissa Fourie & Wandisa Phama
8 min read
Regardless of how the 2024 elections end, the ruling party must undergo radical political transformation to survive (Reuters/Siphiwe Sibeko)
ANC

ANC-affiliated business forum calls for changes to funding act

Political parties say the act is restricting their ability to receive external donations

  • Mandisa Ndlovu
2 min read
Having been on the front line of the Covid pandemic, many health carers now have to deal with joblessness, job insecurity and mental health issues. (Photo by MICHELE SPATARI/AFP via Getty Images)
COVID 19

Caring for healthcare workers must be a priority

Having been on the front line of the Covid pandemic, many health carers now have to deal with joblessness, job insecurity and mental health issues

  • Rene Sparks
3 min read