Editor's note

The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo is raging on, leaving more than 1000 people dead so far. This is the second biggest outbreak of the disease since the 2013 to 2016 epidemic that swept parts of West Africa. Many lessons have been learnt since then – among them a better understanding of how the disease affects survivors. Steven Yeh, Jessica Shantha and Jean-Claude Mwanza explain how they’re managing one such effect – the threat of blindness – in the DRC.

Successive democratic governments in South Africa have committed themselves to reversing the continuing effects of apartheid. Marius Oosthuizen argues that, noble as the policymakers’ and government’s intentions are, they are doomed to fail because they don’t appreciate the complex systems that gave rise to apartheid’s legacies.

Ina Skosana

Health + Medicine Editor

Top Stories

A health worker looks on at an Ebola transit centre in Beni in North Kivu province, DRC. Hugh Kinsella Cunningham/EPA

Ebola survivors can lose their eyesight. What we’re doing to prevent it

Steven Yeh, Emory University; Jean-Claude Mwanza, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; Jessica Shantha, Emory University

Research has identified a range of health complications in Ebola survivors. These include eye complications and vision problems.

A view of Sandton City, the richest square mile in Africa, towering over Alexandra township, in Johannesburg. EPA/Kim Ludbrook

How South Africa can do better at reversing apartheid’s legacies

Marius Oosthuizen, University of Pretoria

In matters of policy-making and governing, understanding the systemic complexity of interrelated forces is crucial to avoiding failure.

Politics + Society

South Africa’s Democratic Alliance at 60: big strategic questions lie ahead

Keith Gottschalk, University of the Western Cape

Despite its endurance, the Democratic Alliance still hasn't found a firm foothold to grow the votes in South Africa's changing political landscape.

Fears of extremism live in the minds of South Africans, not in reality

Steven Friedman, University of Johannesburg

The recent election has shown again that the extremism which worries democrats in much of the world has little traction in South Africa.

Environment + Energy

Climate change is putting even resilient and adaptable animals like baboons at risk

Isabelle Catherine Winder, Bangor University

New research suggests that even ecologically flexible baboons could be at significant risk of habitat loss and endangerment from anthropogenic climate change.

Biodiversity: many species could be even more likely to go extinct than we realise

Johanna Staerk, University of Southern Denmark; Dalia A. Conde, University of Southern Denmark; Fernando Colchero, University of Southern Denmark

A landmark report found more than one million species at risk of extinction – but even the "safe" ones may not be so safe.

From our international editions

How to tackle India’s sexual violence epidemic – it starts with sex education

Madhumita Pandey, Sheffield Hallam University

Young men in India mature and develop in a very male dominated environment, with little or no sex education.

Plastic warms the planet twice as much as aviation – here’s how to make it climate-friendly

Laurie Wright, Solent University

As well as polluting our seas, plastics are warming the planet too. Urgent changes are needed to eliminate plastic's contribution to climate breakdown.

Is Trump’s trade war saving American jobs – or killing them?

Jeffrey Kucik, University of Arizona

Trump claims the tariffs he’s imposed on imports from China and elsewhere are saving US industries and jobs. The data offers a murkier picture.

European elections: a beginner’s guide to the vote

Tatiana Coutto, University of Warwick

Who gets a vote and what are they voting for? Everything you need to know.

En français

Communication des marques de luxe sur les médias sociaux : faire rêver ne suffit plus

Hajer Kefi, PSB Paris School of Business – UGEI; Daniel Maar, PSB Paris School of Business – UGEI

Le changement du marché du luxe, porté par plusieurs tendances de fond comme l’importance croissante des « millennials », contraint les marques à revoir leurs pratiques.

Surprise: manger du fromage aide à contrôler votre glycémie

Catherine Chan, University of Alberta

Plusieurs études ont prouvé que les gens qui mangent beaucoup de fromage ne risquent pas plus que les autres de développer une maladie cardiovasculaire.

En español

Por qué hay que buscar alternativas al glifosato

Juan Luis Aguirre, Universidad de Alcalá

Más allá del uso de maquinaria o la plantación de especies competidoras, se están desarrollando nuevos productos, como el vinagre de madera, para controlar el crecimiento de hierbas y arbustos.

Iban de farol: el alumbrado led no ha reducido la contaminación lumínica

Juan José Negro, Estación Biológica de Doñana (EBD-CSIC)

El alto componente azul de estas luces, cada vez más presentes en el alumbrado público de pueblos y ciudades, las convierte en una potente fuente contaminante.

 
 
 
 

Would you like to republish any of these articles?

It’s free to republish, here are the guidelines. Contact us on africa-republish@theconversation.com in case you need assistance.