Editor's note

The theory that humankind originated in Europe was set aside in 1924 after the first fossil African hominin was discovered in South Africa. New research is suggesting that Africa isn't the cradle of humankind, and that this title belongs to Eastern Europe. Julien Benoit explains why he and others in the field of paleontology are sceptical.

Anene Booysen. Reeva Steenkamp. Karabo Mokoena. South Africans know these women's names because their brutal deaths made headlines. But once the outrage has cooled - and even while it's raging - gender based violence keeps happening. Amanda Gouws explores why this is the case and offers some possible solutions.

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Natasha Joseph

Africa education editor

Top story

The fossil remains which have caused all the consternation. Jochen Fuss, Nikolai Spassov, David R. Begun, Madelaine Böhme/via Wikimedia Commons

There's not enough evidence to back the claim that humans originated in Europe

Julien Benoit, University of the Witwatersrand

The theory that humankind originated in Europe is an old one. It was abandoned in 1924 when the first Australopithecus was discovered in South Africa.

Politics + Society

A South African student invites people to “walk in others’ shoes” doing a protest about gender based violence. EPA/Kim Ludbrook

Gender-based violence in South Africa: what's missing and how to fix it

Amanda Gouws, Stellenbosch University

High profile stories of femicide come with a flare up of societal outrage, protest and collective introspection. But nothing ever really changes.

President Jacob Zuma, left, gets a courtesy visit from President of Namibia Hage Geingob in 2015 in Cape Town. GCIS

Populism on the rise as South Africa and Namibia gear up to elect new presidents

Henning Melber, University of Pretoria; Chris Saunders, University of Cape Town

South Africa's ANC and Namibia's SWAPO, governing parties, enter crucial leadership elections this year, with presidents Zuma and Geingob both facing challenges.

Environment + Energy

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