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Editor's note
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The portrayal of Africa in the popular new film, Black Panther, has been widely hailed as a breakthrough for Hollywood: finally it’s produced a movie that breaks from the racist narratives of yesteryear. But, warns Alease A Brown, black people should be wary about believing the film proves that America’s movie industry holds black people in high esteem.
The 10 million people who live in Kinshasa rely heavily on the city’s 400 markets for food and other commodities. But the way the markets are run leaves much to be desired. Kristof Titeca and Albert Malukisa Nkuku explain how they are used as a source of private revenue for well-connected Congolese.
Corruption appeared to be undermining democracy and destroying South Africa’s economy. But, writes Anton Harber, explosive revelations by investigative journalists have helped turn the tide.
Some fungi are food. Some have been used to produce powerful antibiotics. Some are dangerous. Andi Wilson explains why understanding their different sex lives can help find ways to controlling those that pose a threat.
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Charles Leonard
Arts + Culture Editor
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Top Stories
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Alease A. Brown, Stellenbosch University
Hollywood will allow the world of the Black Panther to be black, only if it doesn't hurt white people's feelings.
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Kristof Titeca, University of Antwerp; Albert Malukisa Nkuku, University of Antwerp
Graft is common in the way that markets in Kinshasa are run.
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Anton Harber, University of the Witwatersrand
South African investigative journalists and civil society played a crucial role in bringing a country in the clutches of patronage networks back from the brink.
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John J Stremlau, University of the Witwatersrand
Relations between the US and Africa are unlikely to improve while Trump remains president. But that doesn't mean the continent should remain passive.
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Politics + Society
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Alex Awiti, The Aga Khan University
Some young East Africans believe that there is nothing wrong with corruption -- except in Rwanda.
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Gorm Rye Olsen, Roskilde University
The US secretary of state's visit to five African countries didn't have much to offer by way of investments and commerce.
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Robert Mattes, University of Cape Town
Former South African President Jacob Zuma's bad behaviour damaged his image and the ANC's.
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Tshepo T. Gwatiwa, Institut de hautes études internationales et du développement (IHEID); Michael Noel Sam, Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies
Free movement in Africa might be needed but more thought is needed for successful implementation.
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Health + Medicine
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Lise Korsten, University of Pretoria
The bacterial pathogen that is responsible for listeriosis can survive under even the toughest conditions.
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Jacqueline Weyer, National Institute for Communicable Diseases
Health authorities have raised the alarm after several cases of human rabies were reported in a space of four months.
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Environment
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Arjun Amar, University of Cape Town; Beckie Garbett, University of Cape Town
A new threat to vultures is emerging: lead poisoning from ammunition used by game hunters.
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Mike Muller, University of the Witwatersrand
Nature based approaches to solving water problems originated in Europe and don't take into account Africa's huge infrastructure deficit.
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Education
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Sioux McKenna, Rhodes University
It's crucial to ensure that the academic project at universities is vigorously and bravely safeguarded.
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Jennifer M. Case, Virginia Tech
Formal, accessible academic advice systems can help university graduation rates.
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Business + Economy
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Ilse Struweg, University of Johannesburg
South Africa's food making giant, Tiger Brands, could have handled the listeriosis crisis better.
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Simon Roberts, University of Johannesburg
South Africa needs a robust economic policy agenda to make it more open, productive and inclusive.
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Theo Broodryk, Stellenbosch University
South Africa is seeing a growing body of class action.
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Science
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Karim Sadr, University of the Witwatersrand
Technology which located Mayan cities has been used to rediscover a southern African city from the 15th century.
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Maria Keet, University of Cape Town
Software tools for South Africa’s Nguni languages may assist with redress and effective communication.
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Graham Alexander, University of the Witwatersrand
Mating in southern African pythons is a serious business, and is rarely just a one-night stand
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Andi Wilson, University of Pretoria
Understanding the sex lives of fungi can help in finding answers about disease control.
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