Editor's note

The coverage of the recent floods in Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Malawi by South African media has been roundly criticised, especially on social media. Journalists have been on the receiving end. But, writes Glenda Daniels, the blame lies with media owners who obliterated newsroom budgets, making it impossible for newsrooms to cover events properly.

The Democratic Republic of the Congo has a long history of failed power sharing deals. Julie M Norman and Drew Mikhael suggest the chances are high that a deal between President Felix Tshisekedi and his predecessor Joseph Kabila, which seems increasingly likely, could be beset by the same problems.

In the latest episode of Pasha, Professor Tawana Kupe sheds light on fake news and why it's a problem calling it by that name. He also discusses the role science can play in fighting fake news.

Charles Leonard

Arts + Culture Editor

Top Stories

A woman searches for materials to rebuild her home after the passage of Cyclone Idai, in Beira City, central Mozambique. EPA-EFE/Tiago Petinga

Poor coverage of floods in southern Africa? Blame the media bosses

Glenda Daniels, University of the Witwatersrand

The lack of in-depth coverage of the southern African floods tell a grim picture of the state of South Africa's newsrooms.

DRC’s new President Felix Tshisekedi (left) and outgoing President Joseph Kabila. The two have agreed to share power. Hugh Kinsella/EPA-EFE

Why the DRC’s latest power-sharing deal will struggle – just like previous ones

Julie M Norman, Queen's University Belfast; Drew Mikhael, Queen's University Belfast

The Democratic Republic of Congo has implemented power-sharing agreements before but none of them have worked.

Politics + Society

Rwanda’s economic growth has given its strong state even more power

Marie E. Berry, University of Denver; Laura Mann, London School of Economics and Political Science

Rwanda is a paradox -- a 'development miracle' and an authoritarian state.

Land reform in South Africa is doomed unless freed from political point-scoring

Sonwabile Mnwana, University of Fort Hare

Land reform programme has done very little to improve access to land for black South Africans.

Education

Education in Nigeria is in a mess from top to bottom. Five things can fix it

Omowumi Olabode Steven Ekundayo, University of Benin

Nigeria has the world's highest number of out-of-school children and over 60 million of its citizens are illiterate. Here's what the country can do to improve its education sector.

African science needs more leaders. Here’s how to develop them

Bernard Slippers, University of Pretoria; Eva Alisic, University of Melbourne

Science development in Africa is intimately linked to the quality of people who are able to lead change.

Podcast

Pasha 12: Fake news and fallacies part 1

Ozayr Patel, The Conversation

In the era of fake news, science can play a crucial role.

Pasha 11: Sexually transmitted infections in South Africa

Ozayr Patel, The Conversation

Why it's important South Africa doesn't ignore sexually transmitted infections.

From our international editions

Cuba after Castro: royal visit to Havana reflects important shift in UK policy

James Clifford Kent, Royal Holloway; Christopher Hull, University of Chester

A first-ever official royal visit now signals a sea change in British foreign policy towards post-Fidel Cuba.

Why fear and anger are rational responses to climate change

Quan Nguyen, University of St Andrews

Climate change is an emergency which will hurt the planet's most vulnerable people – the only irrational response is cool detachment.

Can the Revoke Article 50 petition change the course of Brexit?

Cristina Leston-Bandeira, University of Leeds

E-petitions are an important democratic tool but they need to be part of something bigger to really change things.

Why Trump’s recognition of the Golan Heights as Israeli territory matters

Dina Badie, Centre College

Political leverage aside, it's a major source of water in a parched corner of the world that harbors significant oil deposits.

 
 
 
 

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