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South Africa is attempting to come to grips with the world’s worst outbreak of listeriosis that has led to 180 deaths and the recall of produce from one of the country’s largest processed food producers. Lise Korsten explains why the source of the infection was so difficult to identify and why the scale of the outbreak reflects weaknesses in the country’s food system.
How will the world solve its many water problems? It’s an important question, and some have suggested that the solution may lie in harnessing the potential of more “natural” solutions, like aquifers and wetlands rather than building more infrastructure. Mike Muller warns that approaches like this might work in developed countries, but not in Africa.
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A lab sample of the bacteria listeria monocytogene that causes listeriosis.
Nathan Reading/Flickr
Lise Korsten, University of Pretoria
The bacterial pathogen that is responsible for listeriosis can survive under even the toughest conditions.
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Environment + Energy
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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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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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Science + Technology
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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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From our international editions
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Shawn Sorrells, University of California, San Francisco; Arturo Alvarez-Buylla, University of California, San Francisco; Mercedes Paredes, University of California, San Francisco
The scientists behind a controversial new study were surprised by their own results. But they carefully did all they could to 'prove a negative,' and their neurogenesis study is shaking up the field.
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Asif Majid, University of Manchester
Whenever Salah scores a goal, he performs sujood, the Islamic act of prostration. Fans' reactions to it underscore the state of British Muslimness today.
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Lisa Lazard, The Open University; Abigail Locke, University of Bradford; Charlotte Dann, University of Northampton; Rose Capdevila, The Open University; Sandra Roper, University of Bedfordshire
How parents who post about their kids do so out of pride, but can spark family conflict too.
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