The Conversation - Sisi Afrika Magazine

he Conversation Africa is an independent source of news and views from the academic and research community, delivered direct to the public.

Our team of professional editors work with university and research institute experts to unlock their knowledge for use by the wider public.

Access to independent, high quality, authenticated, explanatory journalism underpins a functioning democracy. Our aim is to promote better understanding of current affairs and complex issues. And hopefully allow for a better quality of public discourse and conversation.

Science & Health

Illegal Organ Trade: Who is Behind it and How Can it be Controlled?

The organ trade is a complex crime and is fuelled by the high demand for organ transplants and rising global inequalities. The root causes of the trade need to be addressed, and stronger responses (not necessarily laws) are needed to tackle the more organised and exploitative forms of the trade.

Art & Culture

Shaka Zulu is back in pop culture – how the famous king has been portrayed over the decades

Shaka Zulu is one of the most famous figures in South African history, even though not much is actually known about him. The subject of a hit 1980s TV show and of many books, Shaka is reframed by each generation. Now he’s back in popular culture with a major new South African TV series, Shaka iLembe. Dan Wylie is an English professor who has written two academic books on Shaka. We asked him four questions. Who was Shaka Zulu and what did you learn from writing about him? Shaka kaSenzangakhona is universally recognised as the founder of what would become known as the “Zulu nation”. He ruled from about 1817 until he was assassinated by his half-brothers in 1828.

Politics & Economy

Nigeria’s Security Situation is Worsening: what Tinubu’s Administration Needs to do About it

A recent survey showed that 77% of Nigerians felt unsafe in their country. The security situation in Nigeria has deteriorated over the past eight years. Every region of the country is affected.

Big Tech Elections

Algorithms are Moulding and Shaping Our Politics. Here’s How to Avoid Being Gamed

The political content in our personal feeds not only represents the world and politics to us. It creates new, sometimes “alternative”, realities. It changes how we encounter and understand politics and even how we understand reality itself.

Skills, Education & Training

Millions of Young South Africans are Jobless: Study Finds that Giving them ‘Soft’ Skills Like Networking Helps their Prospects

The country’s schooling system has failed young people, with many learners going through the basic education system without acquiring the necessary literacy and numeracy skills.

Skills, Education & Training

Get-Rich-Quick Schemes, Pyramids and Ponzis: Five Signs You’re Being Scammed

Nothing beats the prospect of making easy money, and every now and again there seems to be a “get-rich-quick” scheme circulating on WhatsApp or on social media that seems legitimate. But it’s not.

Human Rights & Freedoms

Most East African Refugees are Hosted Close to Borders – It’s a Deliberate War Strategy

Of the more than 300 camps, nearly 70% are situated within 30km-50km of an international border

Politics & Economy

Henry Kissinger at 100 Years Old: History Will Judge His African Interventions as a Failure

Henry Kissinger, who sexed up the art of diplomacy in the eight years between 1969 and 1977, will turn 100 in May this year.

Space Science

Astronomers Used Machine Learning to Mine Data From South Africa’s MeerKAT Telescope

Machine learning is helping astronomers to work through this data quickly and more accurately than poring over it manually. Perhaps surprisingly, despite increasing reliance on computers, up until recently the discovery of rare or new astrophysical phenomena has completely relied on human inspection of the data.

African Leaders

Paul Kagame’s Masterstroke: Rusesabagina’s Release and Apology

In September 2021, Rusesabagina was sentenced to 25 years in jail over his ties to groups opposed to Rwandan president Paul Kagame. His release followed intense diplomatic talks between Washington and Kigali, and was negotiated by Qatar.