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university of witwatersrandlatest news & developments
Research shows that 38% of South African journalists make use of artificial intelligence tools
AFRICAN INVESTIGATIVE JOURNALISM CONFERENCE

AI is a disruptor to newsrooms, African Investigative Journalist Conference warns

Research shows that 38% of South African journalists make use of artificial intelligence tools

  • Umamah Bakharia
2 min read
South African higher academic institutions have called for a ceasefire and the promotion of education in Palestine-Israel
HIGHER EDUCATION

University of Pretoria still reviewing resolution on Palestine

Students and staff at the university who are sympathetic to Palestine have asked that it boycott all Israeli academic institutions

  • Umamah Bakharia
3 min read
Professor of vaccinology at the University of Witwatersrand, Shabir Madhi. (Photo by Luba Lesolle/Gallo Images via Getty Images)
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Video

Shabir Madhi: SA scientists were responsible when announcing Omicron

But the virologist urges caution before scientists make blanket public announcements that can lead to ‘hasty’ international decisions

  • Marcia Zali
3 min read
Research also shows that violent conflict drops by up to 37% when girls and boys have equal access to education. (Photo by Matthias Balk/picture alliance via Getty Images)
CORONAVIRUS

As the Covid-19 third-wave hits, how many South Africans have had the virus already?

Increasing seroprevalence in South Africa could help curb the disastrous effects a third wave could have on communities. But no one is out of the woods yet

  • Chris Bateman
5 min read
An overview of Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital during Gauteng Premier David Makhura’s visit to observe the commencement of the vaccination programme in February 2021. (Photo by Gallo Images/Sharon Seretlo)
ALEX WELTE

Vaccination centres prepare for South Africa’s largest ever vaccine roll-out

After many delays, this coming week’s first vaccine recipients can only expect to have immunity by 4 June at the earliest.

  • Chris Bateman
4 min read
(Mail & Guardian)
BHEKI CELE

Editorial: Fix the problem, Cele, Blade

Every single year we have the same conversation about students protesting about registration problems at universities and police brutality. The two ministers are clearly inept

  • Editorial
2 min read
As a human rights lawyer, during the apartheid ere, Bizos dedicated his career to fighting for fundamental human rights.
AHMED TIMOL

George Bizos dies at 92

Renowned human rights lawyer George Bizos, who defended Nelson Mandela and other struggle icons during the treason trial and Rivonia trial, represented families at the TRC, and…

  • Tshegofatso Mathe
4 min read
The lived reality for women in South Africa is they get turned away at our police stations. They are told that domestic violence is a family matter. They are sent from one office to another. If they do actually get someone willing to open their case, the case files disappear into delay
DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION

New education policy on gender violence released

Universities and other higher education institutions have to develop ways of preventing or dealing with rape and other damaging behaviour

  • Bongekile Macupe
3 min read
A notice published in the Government Gazette by Higher Education, Science and Innovation Minister Blade Nzimande last month said 33% of students could return to campus under level 3.
BLADE NZIMANDE

A small number of students can return to university, but some choose not to

They stayed away because they feared getting Covid-19, had comorbidities, were in quarantine, had become infected and the safety measures such as curfews were too limiting

  • Bongekile Macupe
4 min read
Up to one in five people can get long COVID — a condition in which someone keeps on feeling ill for months after their initial symptoms have cleared up. (Paul Botes)
CORONAVIRUS

People’s behaviour stoking Gauteng pandemic

The active case count of Gauteng surpasses that of whole countries. Workers at clinics report a ‘concerning’ relaxation of basic health protocols

  • M&G Data Desk
  • Thando Maeko
7 min read
Through research and partnering with communities, universities can tackle the Southern African region’s problems, such as poverty, climate change and unemployment
AFRICAN STUDENTS

African students stuck in limbo

The plight of international students studying at the University of the Witwatersrand is echoed around the world

  • Abdul S Brima
4 min read
Through research and partnering with communities, universities can tackle the Southern African region’s problems, such as poverty, climate change and unemployment
BOTSWANA

Higher-education institutions around Africa close as the world combats Covid-19

Several countries, including Kenya and Senegal, have ordered their tertiary education institutions to shut down in an effort to stop the spread of coronavirus

  • Bongekile Macupe
4 min read
Schools will be closed from March 18 due to the coronavirus outbreak.
AHMED BAWA

Ramaphosa closes schools as country grapples with coronavirus

Following several other countries, South Africa will send learners home this week

  • Bongekile Macupe
5 min read
Hands on: South Africans have been told to prioritise hygiene, such as using soap and sanitisers (above) to wash their hands. There is concern, however, about infections spreading in densely populated, impoverished areas where access to water is limited and healthcare facilities are already strained. (Guillem Sartorio/AFP)
ANGELA MERKEL

665 to 12-million infected: The possible SA coronavirus numbers

If nothing changes and infections continue to increase at the current rate, South African healthcare facilities could be further overwhelmed

  • M&G Data Desk
  • Sipho Kings
8 min read
There is strong bipartisan and beneficiary support for making improvements to Agoa.
AFRICAN CONTINENTAL

African free trade is vital for growth

Negotiators are scrambling to meet the July 1 deadline for the world’s second-biggest trading agreement, which could boost continental trade

  • Tshegofatso Mathe
6 min read
More than 100 women have come forward to accuse US film producer Harvey Weinstein of various degrees of sexual misconduct.
EQUAL EDUCATION

What the Harvey Weinstein case can teach us about a complainant-centred process

The verdict highlights a number of critical issues required to build systems, processes and advocacy when it comes to working in the space of gender-based violence

  • Crystal Dicks
8 min read
The University of Fort Hare, pictured, and Mangosuthu University of Technology are among those grappling with governance strain.
BLADE NZIMANDE

Save Fort Hare and stop with the theatrics

The university with its rich history is not only the pride of the Eastern Cape but of the continent. It needs to regain its glorious status in academia and not only be in the…

  • Bongekile Macupe
4 min read
Rather than marching on the JSE to ask companies to contribute money to fighting gender-based violence, it would arguably be better to hold companies to account for how they fail to address these issues internally. (David Harrison/M&G)
ABUSE

Use the workplace to stop socially embedded violence

The judicial system alone and appealing to miscreants has not stopped attacks on women

  • Seán Mfundza Muller
9 min read
(John McCann/M&G)
ANTHROPOLOGY

Grass roots of Ice-Age extinctions

Mammoths and sabre-tooth cats once roamed the continent, but were our ancient ancestors responsible for their disappearance?

  • Matthew Du Plessis
4 min read
Buhle Radio presenter on WITS Fm. (Delwyn Verasamy/M&G)
EASTERN CAPE

Slice of life: How my mom taught me to save

In high school I used to be that guy who put together events such as the Valentine’s Day bash, as well as the teacher and learner awards. In university, a friend told me that I…

  • Tshegofatso Mathe
1 min read