University of KwaZulu-NatalIn the news
Strong contender: The MK Party, which emerged as the biggest party in eThekwini in the 2024 general elections, is expected to continue its upward trajectory in the 4 November vote. Photo: MK Party

MK Party sets its sights on eThekwini

Polls suggest the MK Party could emerge as the dominant force in eThekwini's municipal elections, challenging the ANC's grip and sparking fierce pushback from rivals.

Gig Guide: The weekend is for the 12th African Women Writers’ Symposium, Mimi Mtshali to perform Khaya Lami, ICA Live Art Festival returns, Our Origin Festival 2026 and Zoë Modiga returns with When The Rain Comes

Discover South Africa's top cultural events, featuring the Our Origin Festival in the Cradle of Humankind, jazz by Mimi Mtshali, Zoë Modiga's latest music, the African Women…

Opposing the application: Former Caprisa head of communications Sinenhlanhla Jimoh says the postponement would prejudice her because she has incurred travel and accommodation costs. Photo: NICD

R73K relocation row lands in court

Caprisa and its former communications head, Sinenhlanhla Jimoh, are embroiled in a Labour Court dispute over more than R73,000 in unpaid relocation expenses.

Extraction: In Somkhele village in Mutabatuba, KwaZulu-Natal, residents had possessed significant productive assets before mining began. They had land, herds and harvests before mining began in the area. Photo: Oupa Nkosi/File

Somkhele families count the R80m cost of coal

A landmark study by researchers from King's College London and UKZN reveals that 115 households near KZN's Somkhele coal mine suffered over R80 million in asset losses, with mine…

Redirect: Danica De La Rey Jones is Tessa Ensler, a rising barrister who defends men accused of sexual assault and wins. She believes in the justice system until she is sexually assaulted. Photos: Quaid Jones

‘Prima Facie’ turns the spotlight on rape and the law

Suzie Miller's acclaimed one-woman play 'Prima Facie' arrives at Johannesburg's Market Theatre, delivering an urgent and searing critique of rape, consent, and the patriarchal…

Sweden's ambassador to South Africa Anna Karin Eneström.

Sweden, SA bring youth voices into climate, health policy talks

The Embassy of Sweden and UKZN brought together youth, diplomats, and policymakers to address the critical intersection of climate change, gender equality, and reproductive…

At the digital storytelling workshop in KwaZulu-Natal, brainstorms about extreme weather events and what it feels like when they hit are hung on the walls. Photo: Delwyn Verasamy

Can flood survivors’ stories make climate science better?

Across four African countries, the Wema project uses digital storytelling to empower flood and cyclone survivors to turn their traumatic experiences into vital evidence, bridging…

African scene: Visitors can expect to encounter work from galleries and emerging artists from across the continent. Photo: Supplied

Gig Guide: FNB Art Joburg 19th Edition, UKZN Instrumental Showcase, Open Book Festival

Discover this week's cultural highlights, including the 19th edition of FNB Art Joburg in Sandton, Cape Town's vibrant Open Book Festival, and a showcase of emerging jazz talent…

Song: Dr Buselaphi Gxowa, a celebrated voice in Maskandi and a keeper of amahubo, which means chants, songs or hymns. Photos: Supplied

Dr Buselaphi Gxowa: a living blueprint of Maskandi

Across nearly three decades and 21 awards, Maskandi icon Dr Buselaphi Gxowa reflects on challenging gender misconceptions in traditional music, preserving amahubo and inspiring…

The One Thing the SADC Summit Should Have Put at the Top of the Agenda Was Small Business

While high-level summits focus on grand declarations, Southern Africa’s industrial future depends on small and medium enterprises. Unlocking regional value chains and empowering…

When inclusion becomes a headline

Professor Jason Arday's story highlights the urgent need to address neurodiversity in South Africa. This article explores how our education systems and workplaces may be…

(Delwyn Verasamy/M&G)

Political analyst warns of assassinations as MK Party rank and file jostle for positions before municipal elections  

A political analyst warns of escalating hostilities and potential deadly skirmishes within the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party ahead of municipal elections, fueled by tensions…

Beyond AI detection: African universities must choose transparency over policing

The debate around academic integrity in universities has evolved beyond plagiarism to how institutions should respond to AI. This article explores the challenges of AI detection…

Right of Reply: KZN Art Fair

The KZN Art Fair issues a right of reply to an article by Heidi Thembeka Sincuba, addressing concerns about the conflation of roles and claims regarding student access and the…

Busi Mavuso

Leading beyond the limits of tradition

Women's Day holds deep significance for influential South African women who have shaped the country's political, business, and academic landscapes. It's a day to remember those…

Potent presence: Dr Zakithi Mkhize’s work lives in labs and lecture rooms but also on social media, in schools and in conversations with young women who need to be told: you belong here too. Photos: Supplied

Building belief beyond the laboratory

Dr. Zakithi Mkhize, a virologist specialising in HIV research and founder of Black Girl Scientist Media, is changing perceptions of scientists in South Africa. Through her work…

Meet Dr Nonkululeko Dladla: SA’s first black woman to earn a PhD in marine geology

Dr Nonkululeko Dladla, who grew up in a landlocked town, defied expectations to become South Africa's first black woman to earn a PhD in marine geology. She reflects on this…

Siyethaba Zinhle Bhengu

For Siyethaba Zinhle Bhengu, scientific discovery is ultimately about improving lives. As a master's candidate in human physiology at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, she is…

When sewage floods your home, it floods your mind too

In Nairobi's Mukuru kwa Reuben, residents face a grim reality: homes repeatedly flooded by sewage due to dysfunctional drainage. This article explores the profound psychological…

KZN Hawks under fire for allegedly ‘protecting’ bogus doctor unduly paid R600k worth of salary 

The Hawks in KwaZulu-Natal face scrutiny for allegedly protecting Rashal Dayanand, a bogus doctor who defrauded the provincial Department of Health of over R600,000. Dayanand,…