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Two science researchers posted a map of rivers in southern Africa on Facebook. They did it for fun, not as part of a scientific experiment. But the image triggered such a huge reaction – and thousands of downloads – that they decided to find out what lay behind the interest. So Sukhmani Mantel and Stephanie Januchowski-Hartley did a survey of people who had downloaded the image. What they discovered was fascinating.
Since Abiy Ahmed took over the helm in Ethiopia a great deal has been said about his reform agenda and the sweeping changes he continues to make. But what were the reasons for his appointment in the first place? Yohannes Gedamu looks back at the political developments in the country, which included massive civic unrest as well as in-fighting within the ruling Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front, to find the answer.
Just over a year ago South Africa’s then poet laureate, Keorapetse Kgositsile, passed away. He had an important relationship with a fellow activist poet, Cuban Nancy Morejón. But rarely has their friendship been written about. As Cynthia Gabbay and Karin Berkman argue, a closer look at the engagements they had provides fresh and surprising insights.
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The map that went viral.
Sukhmani Mantel
Sukhmani Mantel, Rhodes University; Stephanie Januchowski-Hartley, Swansea University
Maps can show "the big picture" to lots and lots of people in an engaging and colourful way.
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Politics + Society
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Yohannes Gedamu, Georgia Gwinnett College
Ethiopia has gone through a series of changes that's put the country on firm democratic footing.
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Leila Patel, University of Johannesburg; Lauren Graham, University of Johannesburg
The high costs of finding work make it difficult for young South Africans to get jobs.
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Arts + Culture
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Cynthia Gabbay, Freie Universität Berlin; Karin Berkman, Hebrew University of Jerusalem
A consideration of Cuban poet Nancy Morejón's engagement with Keorapetse Kgositsile and her visits to South Africa -- shed new light on her poetic practice.
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Francois Cleophas, Stellenbosch University
Making sport accessible to ordinary people can be achieved if communities take control of their organisations.
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From our international editions
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Gail McElroy, Trinity College Dublin
The Irish premier Leo Varadkar leads a minority government that is holding steady despite a rocky start.
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Ayona Datta, King's College London
Selfies document women's struggles and accomplishments, as they step out from their traditional roles in the home, into the male-dominated public realm of the city.
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