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South Africa’s been trapped on a roller-coaster of political developments over the past week - and, yesterday, the ride slowed down for long enough to see a new president being sworn in. Cyril Ramaphosa replaces Jacob Zuma, who resigned reluctantly late on Wednesday night.
Ramaphosa has been hailed by many as the man to rescue South Africa from deep-rooted corruption and a stagnant economy. David Everatt explores what sort of president Ramaphosa will be now he’s officially at the helm, while Vishnu Padayachee, Jannie Rossouw and Mashupye Herbert Maserumule unpack the events that led South Africa to this moment. And Richard Calland analyses Zuma’s resignation speech and the damage he wrought right up to his last moment in office.
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Cyril Ramaphosa addresses a rally to commemorate Nelson Mandela’s centenary year in Cape Town, South Africa.
Reuters/Mike Hutchings
David Everatt, University of the Witwatersrand
Cyril Ramaphosa is no Messiah, and when the post-Zuma champagne corks stop popping, South Africans need to assess him as a mere mortal.
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Environment + Energy
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Elizabeth J. Zechmeister, Vanderbilt University; Claire Q. Evans, Vanderbilt University
New research suggests politics and risk perception may explain why the US and Caribbean see climate change so differently, though both places are ever more vulnerable to powerful hurricanes.
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Stephen Nugent, Goldsmiths, University of London
The history of the rubber 'boom' reveals why.
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Health + Medicine
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Cameron Webb, University of Sydney; Ian M. Mackay, The University of Queensland
The mozzies are coming! A mosquito emoji will be available on your devices in mid 2018, providing a new angle for communicating the science and health implications of these very dangerous insects.
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Politics + Society
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Vishnu Padayachee, University of the Witwatersrand; Jannie Rossouw, University of the Witwatersrand; Mashupye Herbert Maserumule, Tshwane University of Technology
There are several steps South Africa's governing party must take to strengthen democracy now that Jacob Zuma has resigned.
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Richard Calland, University of Cape Town
South Africa's President Jacob Zuma has resigned, paving the way for major changes in the country.
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Ola G. El-Taliawi, National University of Singapore; Ibrahim Awad, American University in Cairo
To avoid another refugee 'crisis' that would take the world by surprise, East Asia would do well to be prepared for an influx of people from North Korea.
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Athia Yumna, SMERU Research Institute
The rich have to be taxed more and the poor need to be paid more, according to Oxfam International head of inequality policy Max Lawson.
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Michelle Jones, Anglia Ruskin University
Whether as soldiers, suicide bombers or human shields, children are an increasingly common sight on the battlefield.
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