Coe Articles


coe in the news

South African cities face hunger and food insecurity as cost of living soars

read
#WomenOfUP: Prof Lise Korsten, the first female president of the African Academy of Sciences in the organisation’s 37-year history

Originally published by the University of Pretoria. UP’s Professor Lise Korsten has hit the ground running as the new and first female president of the African Academy of Sciences. The pan-African body, established in 1985 with the primary goal of promoting science, technology, and innovation on the African continent, has a new governance line-up headed by Prof Korsten, who won the hotly contested election for the presidential post. “I must be honest, I did not think I was going to get elected,” said Prof Korsten, who is a Professor in Plant Pathology and Co-Director of the DSI-NRF Centre of Excellence in Food Security. “This is a very challenging position that will require extensive networking building relations with various stakeholders and creating new partnerships. To champion change I will need to, as a priority, realign, re-focus, recharge, and redeploy people and committees, and redesign structures and systems that will take us into a very new, exciting, but different future.” She said she is honoured at being handed such a big responsibility. “It is about the African continent, and it is all about timing. The time is now for Africa to rise, and the opportunities are enormous if we are ready to explore these. The Governing Council will have to accelerate our pace of transformation and adjustment to catch the waves of opportunity, otherwise, Africa will miss the boat and not rise to the occasion. We should not be left behind and should lead the way because the next century will bring significant changes and opportunities. The Academy will need to grow, invest in, and nurture our youth and particularly our female scientists because it is our biggest asset.” Read the article, in full, here.

read
Power cuts and food safety: how to avoid illness during loadshedding

read

comment & opinion


coe articles

Join us at the 5th International Social Justice Conference

The DSI-NRF Centre of Excellence in Food Security (CoE-FS) will join multiple global and national partners, including the South African…

read
CoE-FS flag flies high at 8th World One Health Congress

Prof Lise Korsten, CoE-FS co-director and Food Safety lead, presents at the 8th World One Health Congress. Photo 8th World…

read
‘CoE-FS support opened doors for future opportunities’

Thato Mokgalagadi, a student currently doing her MSocSci Development Studies degree at CoE-FS co-host institution, the University of Pretoria. Photo:…

read
How to use the law against the law, for better systems

At the recent Food Indaba “Hunger and Power” conference, activists, analysts and academics explored ways in which to use the…

read
‘CoE-FS support was critical for my academic career’

Dr Ali Elnaeim Elbasheir Ali presents his work at the 2024 CoE-FS 10th anniversary symposium. Photo Sharif Mosa/CoE-FS. Since its…

read
Hunger as a weapon: in war and at home

Displaced women making bread during the humanitarian pause in Khan Younis. UNRWA photo by Ashraf Amra. From Gaza and Ethiopia,…

read
‘Food and Microbiota in Africa’ project launched

The Food and Microbiota in Africa project was launched at the University of Pretoria. South Africa faces a triple burden…

read
Strengthening the CoE-FS legacy: celebrating a decade of excellence

The CoE-FS 10th Anniversary Symposium was held at UWC from 22 to 24 May 2024. Photo Je’nine May/CoE-FS. “The imperative…

read
DSI-NRF postgraduate student funding call for the 2025 academic year

read

coe in the news

South African cities face hunger and food insecurity as cost of living soars

read
#WomenOfUP: Prof Lise Korsten, the first female president of the African Academy of Sciences in the organisation’s 37-year history

Originally published by the University of Pretoria. UP’s Professor Lise Korsten has hit the ground running as the new and first female president of the African Academy of Sciences. The pan-African body, established in 1985 with the primary goal of promoting science, technology, and innovation on the African continent, has a new governance line-up headed by Prof Korsten, who won the hotly contested election for the presidential post. “I must be honest, I did not think I was going to get elected,” said Prof Korsten, who is a Professor in Plant Pathology and Co-Director of the DSI-NRF Centre of Excellence in Food Security. “This is a very challenging position that will require extensive networking building relations with various stakeholders and creating new partnerships. To champion change I will need to, as a priority, realign, re-focus, recharge, and redeploy people and committees, and redesign structures and systems that will take us into a very new, exciting, but different future.” She said she is honoured at being handed such a big responsibility. “It is about the African continent, and it is all about timing. The time is now for Africa to rise, and the opportunities are enormous if we are ready to explore these. The Governing Council will have to accelerate our pace of transformation and adjustment to catch the waves of opportunity, otherwise, Africa will miss the boat and not rise to the occasion. We should not be left behind and should lead the way because the next century will bring significant changes and opportunities. The Academy will need to grow, invest in, and nurture our youth and particularly our female scientists because it is our biggest asset.” Read the article, in full, here.

read
Power cuts and food safety: how to avoid illness during loadshedding

read
UP Drama celebrates World Food Day in a special way

read
Collaboration is key to enabling food security in Africa

read
The normalisation of hunger in South Africa

read
Malnutrition and hunger take hold in SA – a land of plenty where political will is lacking

read
Some plants can short-circuit the toxic effects of metals – now scientists are trying to harness their power

read
South Africa has enough food yet its people go hungry – Langa Learning Journey tackles our tragic paradox

read

comment & opinion

Israel’s genocidal use of starvation as a weapon of war

read
Food price hikes: Save money, support your local street trader

Fruit vendor in Church street, Johannesburg, South Africa. Photo: Ossewa/Wikimedia Commons. When Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) released the consumer…

read
A personal reflection on the ‘2023 Lancet Series on Breastfeeding’

Dr Nazeeia Sayed and her daughter on a work trip. Photo Supplied. By Dr Nazeeia Sayed, Researcher, School of Public…

read
The normalisation of hunger in South Africa

A message from residents in Touwsrivier to local government. Photo: Ashraf Hendricks/CoE-FS. This article was originally published by the Institute…

read
The right to food: activism and litigation are shifting the dial in South Africa

The right to food: activism and litigation are shifting the dial in South Africa A recent court case forced the Department…

read
Food security ‘experts’ don’t have all the answers: community knowledge is key

Food security ‘experts’ don’t have all the answers: community knowledge is key Professor Julian May examining food supplies in the home…

read
Ramadan: a dietitian offers tips for healthy fasting

Ramadan: a dietitian offers tips for healthy fasting Ramadan is centred on prayer, the Qur’an, deep mindfulness and spiritual reflection. Sudipta…

read
Postpartum depression and stress diminish the likelihood of exclusive breastfeeding in SA

A lot is still uncertain about breastfeeding practices in South Africa. GettyImages   Breast milk plays a vital role in…

read
Social security could make life better in South Africa after COVID-19

The country will take years to recover economically. Ziyaad Douglas/Gallo Images via Getty Images   The national state of disaster…

read
COVID-19 and Food Security
Community of Practice renamed in keeping with its COVID-enforced remaking
Read more
Guidelines to reduce the risk of enteric and typhoid fever
Read more
Research sheds light on impact of COVID-19 pandemic on hunger and breastfeeding
Read more
Black farmers left out in the cold during COVID-19 lockdowns
Read more

Upcoming Events

5th International Social Justice Conference
Time: All day
Venue: Artscape Theatre

Upcoming Events

6th Annual Social Justice Summit
Date: October 18, 2024
Time: All day
Venue: Artscape Theatre