The discovery of a child’s fossilised skull in Taung, South Africa a century ago altered how scientists thought about human evolution. The unearthing of the Taung Child, as the skull became known, was followed by several more important fossil discoveries in the area dubbed the “cradle of humankind”. And all these finds sparked an ongoing debate: exactly how old are South Africa’s Australopithecus africanus fossils? Francis Thackeray explains why he turned to the fossilised teeth of hominins (ancient human ancestors) in search of an answer - and why he believes he’s found it.

The 25th International AIDS Conference kicks off in Munich, Germany, on Monday, bringing together the world’s leading clinicians and scientists, policymakers, and people living with HIV. It’s been 40 years since HIV - the virus responsible for AIDS - was isolated by virologists and, in the decades since, tens of millions of people have been affected. The Conversation Africa has previously published many insightful articles on the epidemic that remains one of the world’s greatest contemporary health challenges. Here are just five.

Natasha Joseph

Commissioning Editor

How old are South African fossils like the Taung Child? New study offers an answer

Francis Thackeray, University of the Witwatersrand

Using a method applied directly to ancient hominin teeth, researchers have calculated the age of several important fossils.

The HIV epidemic 40 years on: 5 essential reads on breakthroughs, blind spots and new challenges

Nadine Dreyer, The Conversation

HIV prevention and treatment have made great strides, but barriers created by stigma, laws and logistics remain.

Politics

South Africa’s new parliament needs to do a better job of holding cabinet to account: legal scholar weighs the chances

Hugh Corder, University of Cape Town

Hard bargaining still needs to happen before the country has a definitive sense of how executive accountability will be enforced under a unity government.

Art, Culture & Society

Olympics: Senegal won silver in 1988 – why it’s never managed to repeat this feat

Nalla Socé Fall, Université Gaston Berger

For Olympic sports to thrive, the government must commit and find additional financing, notably through the private sector and sponsorship.

Wole Soyinka at 90: writer and activist for justice

Abayomi Awelewa, University of Lagos

Challenging oppression, advocating for justice, and inspiring social change are the hallmarks of Soyinka’s life.

Is your desk job killing your back? Ancient Egyptian scribes had the same aches and pains, say researchers

Petra Brukner Havelková, National Museum (Národní muzeum) Prague; Veronika Dulíková, Charles University

The physical damage caused by their unusual working positions can be seen on the scribes’ skeletons.

Climate

Business & Economy

Kenya protests show citizens don’t trust government with their tax money: can Ruto make a meaningful new deal?

Eric Magale, University of Pretoria; Mario Schmidt, Max Planck Institute for Social Anthropology

Citizens willingly pay taxes in return for government using these resources to provide services such as education and health.

Health & Medicine

144 South Africans with mental disability died in the Life Esidimeni tragedy. Lessons from the inquest judgment

Lesley Robertson, University of the Witwatersrand

Holding two public officials responsible for the Life Esidimeni tragedy is a legal milestone. It also highlights the consequences of putting costs over care.
 

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