The news that My Octopus Teacher had won an Oscar for the Best Documentary at the 93rd Academy Awards was met with elation in the Cape Peninsula’s Deep South where naturalist, film-maker and co-star Craig Foster lives and freedives. But underpinning the film was his relationship with two University of Cape Town (UCT) marine biologists, Foster’s science and marine tracking mentors.
South Africa
African identities Tackling a syndemic: Engaging religious and traditional groups in the vaccine roll-out
As the vaccine roll-out begins in South Africa and many other African countries, a co-ordinated approach that collaborates the efforts of government and both public and private institutions will be required to ensure success.
Arts, Culture and Sport Is’xaxa: How to do it for the culture — while trying to stay alive
How a collaborative music project spanning three countries over two continents was made in the depths of a global pandemic.
African identities How the pandemic has complicated life for LGBT communities
“The pandemic has restricted movement and, by extension, community with chosen family. The absence of this means exposure to distress with little support,” says Aanu Jide-Ojo, a clinical psychologist working with the LGBT community in Nigeria.
Politics and Society Women and political leadership in Africa: More work needs to be done
Social and cultural beliefs remain an impediment to women’s continuous rise in politics across Africa. While we celebrate a notable increase in the number of women in influential political positions, the culture of violence, in its many forms if not dealt with threatens to undo this progress.
Arts, Culture and Sport Remembering Sibongile Khumalo, South Africa’s divine diva
She was a vocalist who sang in every style – from Carmen to UShaka – with equal mastery, popularising classical forms and epitomising ‘the new South Africa’.
Health and Science “Don’t call us heroes”: health workers overwhelmed by Covid-19 want help, not praise
Many health professionals are battling to cope emotionally with the surge in Covid-19 cases.
Politics and Society Covid-19 and vaccines: Questions and answers
Covid-19 vaccines are coming to South Africa. Here are questions and answers about the vaccine.
Politics and Society Some key questions answered on COVID-19 vaccines for African countries
The African Vaccine Acquisition Task Team recently secured a provisional 270 million vaccine doses for African countries.