Editor's note

After many years of deferring to the National Energy Regulator of South Africa, the Supreme Court of Appeal and the Constitutional Court - the country’s apex court - have begun to scrutinise not only the energy regulator’s decisions but its methodology as well. Stephen Labson explains the significance of the recent Constitutional Court judgment against the energy regulator.

Informal settlements make up a huge part of developing cities yet conventional planning approaches - like slum clearance, high-rises and back-to-village programs - have often failed to manage them. This is what’s happening in Dhaka, Bangladesh’s capital city, where a community of 200,000 people face eviction to make room for “development”. Tanzil Shafique argues that the concept needs a rethink.

Moina Spooner

Commissioning Editor: East and Francophone Africa

Top Stories

Industrial users of gas have brought the energy regulator’s methodology under the scrutiny of the courts.

Constitutional Court ruling ushers in new era for energy regulation in South Africa

Stephen Labson, University of Johannesburg

South African courts have been reluctant 'to step into the shoes of the regulator', But the confirmation by the Constitutional Court of the ruling by the Supreme Court of Appeal has changed all that.

The Bangladesh government wants Karail, an established community of 200,000 people in the capital Dhaka, to make way for development. Laura Elizabeth Pohl/Bread for the World/flickr

What sort of ‘development’ has no place for a billion slum dwellers?

Tanzil Shafique, University of Melbourne

A community of 200,000 in Dhaka faces eviction to make room for "development". Is it time to rethink the concept, especially with a billion people now living in informal settlements worldwide?

Politics + Society

Kenya’s terror survivors, and their families, need more trauma support

Stephen Asatsa, Catholic University of Eastern Africa

Untreated trauma is dangerous as it may develop into other mental health complications that lead to drug abuse, depression, anger and hatred.

A unique picture of migration patterns in South Africa can help urban planning

Mark A. Collinson, University of the Witwatersrand; Carren Ginsburg, University of the Witwatersrand

Keeping track of migration and urbanisation is challenging, but it's vital for population health that migration and urbanisation is well understood and planned for.

Health + Medicine

Are there certain foods you can eat to reduce your risk of Alzheimer’s disease?

Ralph Martins, Macquarie University

Many chronic diseases increase our risk of Alzheimer's disease. This link between our bodies and our brains means certain healthy choices could protect our cognitive function.

TOR: an enzyme that could hold the secret to longevity and healthy ageing

Charalampos (Babis) Rallis, University of East London

An enzyme called TOR could hold the secret to a longer, healthier life.

Science + Technology

Coding in South African schools: what needs to happen to make it work

Ulrike Rivett, University of Cape Town

South Africa's introducing coding as a school subject but until teacher education, IT infrastructure and internet connectivity issues, among others are addressed, the country has a long way to go.

To the moon and beyond 5: What space exploration will look like in 2069

Miriam Frankel, The Conversation; Martin Archer, Queen Mary University of London

The fifth episode of the To the moon and beyond podcast series explores where we will be travelling in 2069.