Academy of Science of South Africa
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Improving the prevention and management of multimorbidity in sub-Saharan Africa
Get PDFCite: Academy of Medical Sciences (UK) and Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf), (2020). Improving the prevention and management of multimorbidity in sub-Saharan Africa. [Available online] http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11911/139Having two or more long-term conditions at the same time, known as multimorbidity, is a growing challenge globally. This workshop focused on finding out what is known about the extent and nature of multimorbidity and appropriate responses to it, where further research would be valuable and highlighted that addressing multimorbidity in a range of sub-Saharan countries will be heavily dependent on local contextual factors.
On 5–6 September 2019, researchers from across sub-Saharan Africa gathered in Sandton, Johannesburg, South Africa, to discuss the specific challenges in addressing multimorbidity in the region and the role that research could play. In particular, the
ways research could improve understanding of multimorbidity in sub-Saharan Africa and identify the most effective ways to prevent and treat it. The meeting was jointly organised by the Academy of Medical Sciences, UK, and the Academy of Science of
South Africa.
The meeting programme was developed by a steering committee chaired by Professor Alan Silman FMedSci, University of Oxford, UK, and Professor Karen Hofman MASSAf, University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa, and included researchers from multiple sub-Saharan African countries (Annex One). This report
provides a summary of the key themes to emerge from the meeting, as well as a set of high-level multimorbidity research priorities for the region. It reflects the views expressed by participants at the meeting and does not necessarily represent the
views of all participants, all members of the steering committee, the Academy of Medical Sciences, or the Academy of Science of South Africa.UK Academy of Medical Science
Global Mental Health in an Era of Sustainable Development: Research and Policy Priorities
Get PDFCite: Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf), (2020). Global Mental Health in an Era of Sustainable Development: Research and Policy Priorities. Symposium Proceedings. DOI http://dx.doi.org/10.17159/assaf.2019/0060The aim of the symposium was to assess global research patterns and domestic policies aimed at addressing challenges pertaining to mental health. This aim was achieved thorough the following objectives:
1. Scientifically analysing global and regional research developments pertaining to mental health;
2. Identifying current and future research needs and strengthening policy developments;
3. Assessing possible solutions to current challenges as they relate to research and policy on mental health.
Title and sub-themes
The symposium focused of the following sub-themes:
1) Neuroscience and genetics;
2) Public mental health and epidemiology;
3) Intervention research.Janssen Pharmaceutic
Quest Volume 16 Number 2 2020
Get PDFCite: Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf), (2020). Quest: Science for South Africa, 16(2). [Online] Available at: http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11911/150Content: COVID-19 early warning systems: Quest reviews some options. Flood warnings: Natasha Ramdass reports on the eThekwini FEWS. Predicting drought: Piotr Wolski explains the complexities of drought early warning systems. ITIKI: A drought prediction tool that
uses indigenous knowledge. SuperDARN: Judy Stephenson tells us
about space weather warnings. Harmful algal blooms: Satellite-based early warning systems for marine and freshwater HABs. Jupiter’s water mystery. Nanotechnology for pollination studies. Science Lens®competition. Zoonosis: Pathogens that jump the species barrier. Tweaking the timeline of human evolution: Quest reports on the discovery of a Homo erectus fossil. Glaucoma: Susan Williams explains the genetic link. Mineral resources for energy storage: A Council for GeoScience team share their vanadium related
research.Department of Science and Innovation; Academy of Science of South Afric
Commonwealth Academies Statement on Climate Change, Biodiversity and Sustainable Energy
Get PDFCite: Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf), (2020). Commonwealth Academies Statement on Climate Change, Biodiversity and Sustainable EnergyAcademy of Science of South Africa
African Academy of Sciences
Akademi Sains Malaysia
Australian Academy of Science
Cameroon Academy of Science
Caribbean Academy of Science
Cyprus Academy of Sciences Letters and Arts,
Indian National Science Academy
National Academy of Sciences of Sri Lanka
Pakistan Academy of Sciences
Royal Society of Canada
Royal Society of Edinburgh
Royal Society Te Apārangi (New Zealand)
Rwanda Academy of Science
The Royal Society
Singapore National Academy of Sciences
Uganda National Academy of Sciences
Zambia Academy of Science
Building Profitable and Sustainable Community Owned Connectivity Networks
Get PDFPlease cite as: Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf) and Department of Science and Innovation (DSI) (2019) Building Profitable and Sustainable Community Owned Connectivity Networks. Available at: https://doi.org/10.17159/assaf.2019/0065The IID seminar titled “Building Profitable and Sustainable Community Owned Connectivity Networks”, was hosted on 31 August 2020 on Zoom Webinar. The 2019 White Paper on science, technology and innovation (STI) recognise the pivotal enabling role of information and communication technologies (ICTs) in realising an inclusive and prosperous information society and knowledge economy. One of the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI)’s key role is to catalyse the digital ecosystem and develop scalable models for community owned connectivity networks to replicate in other areas. Rural areas provide challenging environment to implement communication infrastructure for data and Internet based services, including high cost of network implementation and lack of customer base, low-income streams, highly scattered and low population density.
The DSI has thus partnered with the University of Western Cape (UWC), the Mankosi Village community, with support from the Technology Innovation Agency (TIA) to scaleup the Zenzeleni Community Owned Connectivity Networks (COCN). The Zenzeleni COCN has been in existence since 2012 and provides timely, reliable and affordable Wi-Fi connectivity to the remote rural areas of Mankosi and Zithulele in Mthatha. The webinar, facilitated by Ms Ellen Fischat from Story Room aimed to look at how rural and township wireless connectivity models, including Zenzeleni COCN can be scaled-up to increase the number of people connected in the rural settings, more so in light of the COVID-19 crisis. It is evident from the proceedings the need for community networks to provide access to connectivity and also more importantly, what connectivity enables.
Subsequent discussions would need to focus on the users and owners of these community networks to understand how their lives have improved through the deployment of the technology. This will shed light of the financial feasibility and benefit.
Department of Science and Innovation (DSI), South Africa.Department of Science and Innovation (DSI), South Afric
COVID-19 and Human Rights: Perspectives on Socio-economic Rights and Violence
No full text1 MP4 video; Size: 9,659KB; Duration: 1:29:14South Africa like other countries worldwide, was forced to impose lockdowns to curb the spread of COVID-19 since March 2020. While the measures taken by the government aided in slowing down the spread of the pandemic, they have had far-reaching consequences for a range of socio-economic rights, such as the rights to education, food, and work. They have also had serious consequences for civil and political rights, including through a rise in the levels of domestic violence, and because of the use of force by law enforcement officials in imposing these measures. This panel discussion explores the impact of COVID-19 on socio-economic human rights and violence faced by citizens
Quest Volume 16 Number 1 2020
Get PDFCite: Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf), (2020). Quest: Science for South Africa, 16(1). [Online] Available at:http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11911/140This year has been declared the International Year of Plant Health by the United Nations General Assembly, the idea is to raise awareness on how protecting plant health can help end hunger, reduce poverty, protect the environment, and boost economic development. In this issue of Quest we show some ways in which scientific research is helping to protect plants from pests and diseases, manage the risks and mitigate the impacts.
IPM: Quest explores how Integrated Pest Management helps protect plant health-Fall armyworm in maize: Hannalene du Plessis, Johnnie van den Berg and Annemie Erasmus discuss risk management options-Genetics to the fore: Kirsty Botha tells us how disease resistance in wheat can be improved-Viruses as biopesticides: Michael Jukes and Marcel van der Merwe review progress-Bats versus macadamia crop pests: Sina Weier, Valerie Linden and Peter Taylor share their findings-Remote sensing to the rescue: Christine Cuénod explains how satellite imagery can be used in pest detection-Chemistry for clean air-Local astronomers witness starburst heatwave-Africa’s first PhD in indigenous knowledge of astronomy-UJ take top spots at 3MT-Small science for big innovations: Nicklaus Kruger reports from SA NanoSchool-Decoding the mystery of DNA: René Veikondis and Alvera Vorster give examples of DNA sequencing applications-People and plants in the Stone Age: May Murungi tells us about archaeobotany at Bushman Rock Shelter-Shedding light on point of care diagnostics: The CSIR biophotonics group share their research.Department of Science and Innovation
Legends of South African Science II
Get PDFCite: Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf), (2019). Legends of South African Science II. [Online] Available at: DOI http://dx.doi.org/10.17159/assaf.2018/0036After the overwhelming success of Legends of South African Science, published in 2017 as part of the 20 year celebrations of the Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf), this edition of Legends of South African Science II continues with profiling Members who were elected between 1993 – 2000.
The 62 Members profiled in this edition represent some of the longest standing ASSAf Members. One of the strengths of a national Academy is the disciplinary diversity of its Membership. Collectively, the narratives of the Members profiled in this edition represent the apex of academic excellence and scholarship. All these Members have used their formal academic training in their specific fields and demonstrated how, through engagement with scholars in other fields, both locally and internationally, contributed to them becoming champions and leaders in advancing knowledge. Every narrative in this edition provides a unique perspective on contributions by accomplished South African scientists and scholars who, using an evidence-based approach have contributed significantly in growing the global knowledge production in their respective fields. Many of these scholars have held senior positions at academic institutions, been part of national and international committees, served at Governmental positions, and worked unstintingly in shaping the agendas of the post-apartheid South Africa.
Their stories are fascinating, their contributions to science invaluable, and their service to society diverse and inspiring. It is also touching and inspiring to see how many scientists during this era were supported, inspired and uplifted by the late President Nelson Mandela. They were all committed to building a democratic South Africa, even in the face of many adversities. ASSAf strives in upholding its mandate of using evidence-based science in the service of society.Profiles: Miriam Adhikari,
Lewis Ashwal,
Saleem Badat,
Ahmed Bawa,
Solomon Benatar,
Arvinkumar Bhana,
Nigel Bishop,
George Branch,
Chris Brink,
Peter Cleaton-Jones,
Neville Raymond Comins,
Richard Cowling,
David Dewar,
Anton Eberhard,
Petra Engelbrecht,
Michael Feast,
Brian Figaji,
Peter Folb,
Richard Fuggle,
Christoph Garbers,
Richard Goldstone,
Diane Grayson,
Fritz Hahne,
Raymond Haines,
Manfred Hellberg,
Eugene Julies,
Johann Kirsten,
Jan Malherbe,
Vincent Maphai,
Anthony Mbewu,
Chabani Manganyi,
Veronica McKay,
Phil Mjwara,
Vincent Moran,
Johann Mouton,
Daniel Ncayiyana,
Mokubung Nkomo,
Cyril O’Connor,
Philip Onyebujoh,
Iqbal Parker,
Calie Pistorius,
Bernard Prior,
Mamphela Ramphele,
Doug Rawlings,
Terence Robinson,
Justus Roux,
Beric Skews,
Hendrik (Hennie) Snyman,
Rolf Stumpf,
Chris Swanepoel,
Nthoana Tau-Mzamane,
Petro Terblanche,
Jennifer Thomson,
Peter Tyson,
Annél van Aswegen,
Anton van Niekerk,
Johan van Zyl,
Daan Verwoerd,
Sibusiso Vil-Nkomo,
David Walker,
Patricia Whitelock,
David Wood
Migration, Displacement and Mobility in Africa: Complex issues in current times
Get PDFCite: Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf), (2020). Annual Young Scientist Conference 2019: Migration, Displacement and Mobility in Africa: Complex Issues in Current Times [online] DOI http://dx.doi.org/10.17159/assaf.2019/0061This report reflects the conference proceedings of the tenth Annual Young Scientists’ Conference which took place from 28 to 29 October 2019 at Future Africa, University of Pretoria, South Africa. The theme of the conference: ‘Migration, Displacement and Mobility in Africa: Complex issues in current times’ tied in with the African Union (AU) Year 2019 Theme: The Year of Refugees, Returnees and Internally Displaced Persons: Towards durable solutions to forced displacement in Africa. The Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf) hosts this annual conference in partnership with the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI) and the South African Young Academy of Science (SAYAS).Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf) & Department of Science and Innovation (DSI
Lindau Nobel Laureate Meetings – South Africa’s Alumni Narratives
Get PDF98 pagesThis publication is aimed at profiling the previous beneficiaries of the Lindau Meetings with a view of promoting
participation in this life-altering event in the life of any emerging researcher. We trust that you will be enthused by the
personal accounts of the Lindau Alumni members as they reflect and share their experiences about being in the same
hallways as Nobel Laureate winners in their disciplines. As indicated before, the publication also seeks to formalise the
Lindau Meetings alumni network, as a platform that other aspirant young researchers can access for guidance and
counsel related to participation in the meetings.Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf