The five winners of the 2019 Aga Khan Award for Architecture who will share US$ 1 million between them includes Alioune Diop University Teaching and Research Unit, in Bambey, Senegal. The Award is given to projects that set new standards of excellence in architecture, planning practices, historic preservation and landscape architecture
Environment
Politics and Society Hope for the revival of the Northern White Rhino
After the death of Sudan; the last male northern white Rhino; the extinction of the species seemed imminent. Scientists have however managed to create two embryos using eggs from the two remaining female Northern White Rhinos and frozen sperm from deceased males. A step that may lead to the revival of the sub-species.
Politics and Society G5 Sahel heads of state speak on the “Desert to power initiative”
The G5 Sahel heads of state recently held a summit in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso on “Harnessing solar energy for the socio-economic development of the G5 Sahel countries”.
Politics and Society African grasslands are meant to burn – we can’t let this distract from the Amazon fires
Yes, there are more fires in Africa than Brazil. But unlike the Amazon, Africa’s savannah has evolved to grow back quickly.
Lifestyle Kifaru: a feature documentary that explores the painful emptiness of extinction
Beyond the global headlines surrounding the precarious condition, and consequent death of ‘Sudan,’ the last male northern white rhino in existence, ‘Kifaru’ tells the moving story of Sudan’s looming death through the eyes of his primary caregivers. The feature, which has already won several illustrious film awards paints a stark picture of what it looks like when a species ceases to exist.
Africans rising PhD student Takunda Chitaka wins 2019 Excellence in Academia PETCO Award
PhD student Takunda Chitaka has received the 2019 Excellence in Academia PETCO Award for her engineering approach towards tackling plastic marine pollution. This recognition highlights the need for peer-reviewed research that supports strategic interventions in the areas of recycling, waste minimisation and sustainability.
Politics and Society When tragedies occur in Zimbabwe, its citizens open up their wallets
Rather than relying on traditional aid donors when disaster strikes, individual Zimbabweans have been stepping up to the plate, says Ray Mwareya.
Politics and Society Why is the Botswana government denying the large scale of elephant poaching in the country?
A report by Elephants Without Borders show that the poaching of elephants in Botswana has increased sharply in recent times. This follows certain changes in policy by President Mokgweetsi Masisi’s administration.
Africans rising Meet South African biological scientist Patrick Siyambulela Mafunda, the man attempting to save the African penguin
African penguins, known for their irregular markings and loud call, are in sharp decline. The species has gone from a population of more than a million at the beginning of the 20th century to being endangered. South African bioscientist Patrick Mafunda is using in-vitro fertilisation to help the species survive.