What does a scientist nowadays look like? When the word ‘scientist’ is mentioned, what image is painted in your mind? Is there a particular gender that comes to mind? Colour? If you referenced famous sci-fi blockbusters I’m certain you would conclude t…
Is spekboom South Africa’s silver-bullet solution to becoming carbon neutral? Over the last few weeks, a viral trend known as the #SpekboomChallenge has dominated South Africa’s social media timelines. The challenge? To grow 10 or more spekboom (Portul…
Is the research we are producing in South Africa locally contextualized, relevant and addressing societal needs? In the 2000s social justice became a buzz word, hence in 2009, the United Nations declared 20 February annually for the international obser…
Do you see them? The beginning of a new school year – for most teachers and learners – is accompanied with excitement, hope, the intention to do better than the last and of course a bit of fear of the unknown. This phenomenon is true throug…
Should South Africa invest in fundamental research? We all want to save the world or at least have a positive impact on our communities. This is evident even when you ask a child from kindergarten what they want to be when they’re older, most would ans…
To be or not to be an academic? Ziglar said ‘Making a big life change is pretty scary. But, know what’s even scarier? Regret’. I had chased goals my whole life. A perfectionist. I was the youngest of everything – deployed diplomat, project manage a mu…
Education as a public good: is it any good for the public? Born in Piet Retief, Mpumalanga in 1988 to two loving parents and two caring older siblings. I completed my schooling in Piet Retief (now known as Mkhondo) and was the first Indian/Black studen…
Are you brave enough to reach for the stars? My full name is Sinenhlanhla Precious Sikhosana, born in Harding south coast of KwaZulu-Natal. My family consists of my grandmother, mother, three siblings, and many cousins. My inquisitive mind and passion …
Why should agriculturalists be active on social media? A sweltering summer’s day in the Lowveld, the sun at its zenith baking down into the valleys. Shrill cicadas cut short by the mechanical hum of a tractor’s engine and the dull thundering of a ploug…
We blinked and it is 2020…. The year that when I was a kid I was SURE we will commute with spaceships, eat pills instead of food and our houses will look like the Jetsons‘. Instead, the newspapers present us with the possibility of a next w…
