Reducing inequalities in an urbanising world
The world is rapidly becoming more urbanised with more than half of all people living in cities. The United Nations (UN) predicts that within the next five years, urban areas will be home to 60% of the global population, with one in every three people living in cities. According to the 2018 Revision of the […]
Building universities for the future
Building universities for the future is a multifaceted process. It necessitates a continuous interrogation of assumptions about the role of universities in society, as well as critical, evidence-based reflection on their own processes and practices. Through its commitment to student success and quality teaching and learning, the Centre for Teaching and Learning (CTL) at the […]
Ubuntu: The basis for an inclusive economy
Is it possible to align economic progress with social equity and ecological parity? This is the key question pursued by economic sustainability. As demonstrated by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), it is more than a question; it has become an existential necessity for planetary health in the 21st century. The aim of SDG […]
Magic in the mountains: The world of plant-animal interactions
Pollination is the process of transferring pollen from the male part of a flower to the female part, being a crucial step for plant reproduction that leads to the formation of seeds and fruit. This process enables plants to reproduce, providing food security and supporting ecosystems by forming the base of the food web, purifying water, and […]
Plastic pollution crisis – the quest for clean water
A global concern in the modern era is the widespread pollution of the environment and water bodies from plastic waste and heavy metals. This mounting threat to human and planetary health is exacerbated by the 19–23 million tonnes of plastic leaking every year into the world’s oceans, rivers, and lakes, according to the United Nations […]
Reparative justice: Africa’s pursuit of wholeness
The interface between justice for Africa and reparation is deduced from the continent’s stagnation despite global advancements in technology, science, and human capital development. Since 1963, the Organization of African Unity (OAU) and its successor, the African Union (AU), have supported initiatives to advance justice for historical crimes and the payment of reparations to Africans, […]
Ingredients for a secure and peaceful Africa
Peace and security are a necessary precondition for the economic and social development of any society and nation. It is in this context that the African Union (AU) called for a peaceful and secure Africa – a key aspiration of Agenda 2063. This was further emphasised in the theme of ‘Silencing the Guns by 2020’ […]
Preparing STEM teachers for the 21st century
The 21st century is characterised by several changes that warrant frequent innovations in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) subjects’ curricula. STEM education is one of the national strategic goals in South Africa, the National Strategy for Mathematics, Science, and Technology Education (2019–2030), which aims to equip young people with the necessary mathematics, science, and […]
Instructional leadership: Quality teaching for a prosperous society
The quality of education depends on the quality and commitment of teachers. They are the cornerstone of sustainable transformation in any educational system and play a crucial role preparing well-educated, future-proofed learners. As such, the achievement of goals of the UN Sustainable Development Goals and the attainment of the aspirations of the African Union’s (AU) […]
Leading with accountability in VUCA environments
The contemporary global landscape is increasingly marked by democratic backsliding, implying an intentional, incremental erosion of core democratic institutions and norms and denotes the process of removing constraints on accountability for democratically elected leaders. Signs of this backsliding are evident in both established and emerging democracies, underscoring the precariousness of the sustainability of democratic principles […]