Author: Njih Favour
In South Africa, there is no law preventing toxic chemicals like bisphenol A (BPA) from being used in most food packaging, even though research shows that exposure can begin in the womb and continue to harm children’s development long into adolescence. In most households, plastic plates and cups are a staple for children as parents see them as practical, unbreakable, and easy to clean. But for a Johannesburg mother and IT specialist Kuhle Lephole, glassware is the only option for everyone in her home. Her two daughters, Mphonyane and Seithathi, both under the age of 10, mostly eat and drink…
This project is funded by: A wall depicting the “rainbow” flag representing lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) pride at the North West University (NWU) Mahikeng campus was vandalised at the weekend. Known as the pride wall, the structure was spray-painted with the words “we not gays”. This is the second such incident to happen at the institution in the space of a month. In September, the pride wall at NWU’s Potchefstroom campus was also vandalised, raising serious concerns about the persistence of anti-queer sentiments at the institution. “The recent vandalism deeply saddens and disturbs me. That wall was…
South Africa’s Health Product Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) is expected to make a decision on whether to approve the use of the twice-yearly HIV prevention drug, lenacapavir by the end of October. SAHPRA’s approval is a prerequisite for the country to start rolling out the drug, which is expected to be available around April 2026. South Africa is among the first countries that will receive doses of lenacapavir through a donation facilitated by the Global Fund and PEPFAR. With around two million people having started on the daily HIV prevention pill since 2016, South Africa has the biggest pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP)…
Potential partnerships between the public and private healthcare sectors have largely not been harnessed. (Photo: Shutterstock) News & Features 15th October 2025 | Ufrieda Ho Government and the private sector could work together much more effectively to improve healthcare services in South Africa, but the potential of such a partnership remains largely untapped, delegates heard last week at the Hospital Association of South Africa conference. Healthcare funding in both the public and private sector is headed towards a sustainability crisis, delegates at this year’s Hospital Association of South Africa (HASA) conference heard. But potential solutions such as pooling resources, linking…
By Koketso Moeti The streets of Johannesburg recently turned purple, not because of the Jacaranda trees but because of a 10km race sponsored by Hollywood Bets – a sports betting giant that has become ubiquitous across South Africa. A few years ago, this would not have occurred. However, the landscape of gambling in South Africa has undergone a significant transformation with the growth of sports betting and the advent of online gambling. Indeed, the gaming industry is one of the fastest-expanding sectors in the country. If the existing trend continues, gambling could take up a larger share of household budgets…
Immunisation has and continues to save millions of lives and to prevent much suffering and disability. (Photo: Shutterstock) News & Features 13th October 2025 | Elri Voigt Childhood immunisation programmes have saved many millions of lives and prevented much suffering. Yet, immunisation programmes have lost momentum over the last decade or so. In this #InTheSpotlight special briefing, Spotlight unpacks the available data and considers how immunisation efforts might be revitalised. Polio, a viral infection that targets the nervous system, used to be one of the most feared diseases in the world. But the development of an effective vaccine in the…
By the numbers: 10.1% of young South Africans live with depressive disorders. 6.7% experience anxiety disorders. 17.6% have Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).These findings come from a systematic review by the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC), released ahead of World Mental Health Day. The big picture:Globally, mental health challenges are among the leading causes of illness and disability in young people. In South Africa, these pressures are intensified by poverty, violence, and limited access to care. What they’re saying: “Young people are navigating a critical phase of human development during which they experience heightened vulnerability to environmental factors that shape their mental health,” said Prof. Carrie Brooke-Sumner, Specialist…
FROM THE ARCHIVE Taking a drive down Klipfontein Road in Cape Town can be a herculean task depending on the time of the day. Pedestrians, taxis, Golden Arrow buses and cars all compete for pole position on the road. Hawkers dipping and diving through the busy race, trying to sell fruits, vegetables or other wares. After passing through Athlone, and crossing Jakes Gerwel Drive, you eventually arrive at the gates of the Saartjie Baartman Centre for Women and Children (SBC). The gates sit just on the edge of Manenberg, a large community in the Cape flats. The facility is a…
#InsideTheBox is a column by Dr Andy Gray, a pharmaceutical sciences expert at the University of KwaZulu-Natal and Co-Director of the WHO Collaborating Centre on Pharmaceutical Policy and Evidence Based Practice. (Photo: Supplied) Comment & Analysis 9th October 2025 | Andy Gray In several countries, the public is given an opportunity to share their views with regulators before new medicines are registered or to engage with those choosing essential medicines. In South Africa, however, opportunities for such public participation remains limited. In his latest #InsideTheBox column, Dr Andy Gray takes a look at how public participation is handled elsewhere and…
This project is funded by: Several incidents were reported, including the hijacking of vehicles transporting ARVs(Photo: X/SoulCity_SA) Several incidents were reported, including the hijacking of vehicles transporting ARVs(Photo: X/SoulCity_SA) In the Durban township of Umlazi, the fight against HIV includes a battle against crime. People receiving antiretroviral (ARVs) treatment are being robbed of their medication. This happened to 24-year-old Ntokozo Ntuli in June this year. “I was walking home from the clinic when two young men approached me and took my medication. I didn’t file a police report, but I did inform the community policing forum (CPF),” Ntuli says. She…