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Pathways to achieving South Africa’s R&D intensity target
No full textThis chapter examines different pathways to achieve South Africa’s R&D intensity target. It presents an optimistic outlook where research and experimental development (R&D) activity in the business sector is stimulated after significant government support and funding, and a pessimistic outlook where this fails to materialise, leading to continued government dominance in R&D performance while business sector investment declines.
Non-communicable disease (NCD) risk among people living with HIV in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa: evidence from a randomised trial of community-based differentiated service delivery
No full textAs differentiated HIV services provided outside of clinics are scaled up, clients may have fewer interactions with ancillary services for non‐communicable disease (NCD) prevention and management traditionally offered within facilities. This study was embedded in the DO ART randomised trial (2016−2019), which demonstrated that community‐based differentiated service delivery (DSD) improved HIV viral suppression compared with facility‐based care. We assessed NCD risk among men and women living with HIV accessing community‐based DSD versus facility‐based care in KwaZulu‐Natal, South Africa.
Service delivery, moral political capital and democratic legitimacy: a case study of Langa and Wentworth, South Africa
Full text linkThis article is a case study of the experiences of residents of two historically disadvantaged communities, Langa Township, which is an historically black African township in the Western Cape, and Wentworth, an historically ‘coloured’ township in KwaZulu-Natal, of the first 30 years of democratic rule. The focus is on services and governance and regenerating moral political capital and democratic legitimacy. Use is made of insights found in
qualitative interviews conducted with residents of the two residential areas on the delivery of services in five priority areas, the impact of their perceptions of the delivery of services on the moral political capital of the ruling political party and the legitimacy of the new democracy, and on how moral political capital and democratic legitimacy can be regenerated. The key finding is that most residents of the two areas believed that their lives have not improved in these priority areas in the first 30 years of democracy, and have worsened in some cases, and that this illustrates a loss of moral political capital because the ruling political party has failed to live up to its promise of a better life for all, as well as a loss of democratic legitimacy because the democratic state has not served their particular interests. The article informs political leaders and policy makers and implementers of the steps to be taken to regenerate both moral political capital and the legitimacy of the democracy that was established in 1994.
The African Union’s strategy for digital transformation in Africa: maximising opportunities and overcoming challenges
No full textThis chapter examines the AU’s DTS and suggests ways to maximize the available opportunities and overcome some of the endemic challenges to digital transformation on the continent. The discussion proceeds in the following steps: first, the chapter engages the features of the AU digital transformation strategy; second, it highlights the current state of digital transformation on the continent, including an examination of the policy environment; third and fourth, it assesses the risks and opportunities available, such as the ability to tap into geopolitical contestation between the current technology standard bearers like the United States (US), the European Union (EU), and China, for Africa’s benefit; and, the fifth step, which is the concluding section, reflects on how to ensure that Africa’s vision for a digitally transformed society comes to fruition.
Support or scepticism?: trends in South Africans’ attitudes towards science and technology
No full textSouth Africans have a somewhat complex relationship with science and technology, vacillating between attitudes of promise (benefits) and reservation (concern). Although there is considerable optimism about the potential benefits of science and technology, a notable portion of the population maintains its reservations. Exploring citizens’ attitudes towards science and technology, this is one of three articles in the June edition of the HSRC Review that draws on data from the HSRC’s 2022 South African Public Relationship with Science Survey.N/
Internet access at home and varied usage as determinants of South African students mathematics performance
No full textMathematics plays a crucial role in economic and technological advancement; however, disparities in internet access can affect students? academic performance. This study examines the relationship between home internet access, varied internet usage, and mathematics achievement among Grade 9 students in South Africa, using data from the 2019 Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS). Employing descriptive statistics and multi-level modeling, the findings reveal that less than half of the students had internet access at home, with significant disparities based on school socioeconomic status. Students with internet access who used it to find information, articles, or tutorials for mathematics performed better than those without access. However, students who relied on the internet to access textbooks, course materials, assignments, or teacher communication demonstrated lower performance than their peers. This study highlights the impact of the digital divide on education and suggests policy interventions to enhance equitable access to educational resources. The findings imply that addressing this gap through targeted digital infrastructure investments and ICT training for both students and teachers can improve mathematics achievement and promote educational equity.
Temporal socio-economic inequalities in the double burden of malnutrition (DBM) among under-five children: an analysis of within- and between-group disparities in 20 Sub-Saharan African countries (2004-2024)
Full text linkThe double burden of malnutrition (DBM) in sub-Saharan Africa is a pressing public health issue, particularly among children under five years old. DBM encompasses both undernutrition (stunting) and overnutrition (overweight) within the same population, often shaped by socio-economic disparities. Addressing DBM in early childhood is vital, as malnutrition can lead to long-term health, cognitive, and developmental challenges.
Using nationally representative data from the Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) across. 20 sub-Saharan African countries, this study examines temporal socio-economic inequalities in DBM. Countries include Zimbabwe, Kenya, Nigeria, and Mozambique, among others. DBM was defined using anthropometric measures, while socio-economic status (SES) was categorized as poor, middle, or rich. Temporal trends were analyzed, and inequalities were quantified using Erreygers Normalized Concentration Indices (ENCI) and Theil indices to explore within- and between-group disparities by SES and urban/rural residence. DBM prevalence across countries ranged from 0.2 % to 4.6 %. Declines were noted in Zimbabwe and Kenya. Socio-economic inequalities were significant, with overnutrition increasingly concentrated in wealthier households, while undernutrition remained prevalent among poorer populations. Theil index analyses revealed within-group disparities as the primary drivers of overall inequality, particularly in urban wealthier populations, though rural and low-SES groups also contributed significantly in countries like Senegal and Mali. Conclusion: DBM is still present in sub-Saharan Africa and is driven by socio-economic inequalities. Targeted interventions focusing on improving access to nutritious food, healthcare, and education for vulnerable populations, particularly in rural and low-SES groups, are essential to reduce malnutrition disparities.
A call to action: the second Lancet Commission on adolescent health and wellbeing
No full textAdolescents are the future leaders of our world. Ensuring their health and wellbeing now and in the future is
one of the strongest mechanisms available to safeguard the collective future of humanity and to secure a more
just society and a healthier and more productive planet. Investments in the current generation of 10–24-year-olds
will reap a triple dividend, with benefits for young people today, the adults they will become, and the next
generation of children they will parent. These potential benefits are particularly relevant for Africa and Asia,
where around 82% of the world’s adolescents currently live , a proportion that is projected to rise to 85% by 2100.
Attracting serendipity: the impact of investment at the science/technology Interface in fundamental physics research Infrastructures
No full textA key question in science policy is that of the impact of large-scale basic science facilities. The ATTRACT project provided a suite of resources, including funding, networks, and skills development support, to 180 technology projects that aimed to commercialize technologies that have emerged from research infrastructures. To assess the impact of ATTRACT, a case study analysis examined the ways in which support offered through ATTRACT phase 1 led to impacts such as strengthened innovation ecosystems, commercial applications of innovation, skills development, and broader social goods. The analysis of socio-economic impact leads to conclusions and recommendations in three broad areas. The first area is that of routes to impact, including the roles of RIs and businesses, the role of open innovation, and impacts that fall beyond innovation. The second area is that of technological serendipity, and the efforts of ATTRACT to systematize mechanisms that may support it. Finally, we reflect on CASEIA as a pilot study, and consider its potential contribution to research at the science/technology interface, and make methodological recommendations for ATTRACT’s monitoring, evaluation, and learning efforts.