Talking Points

Talking Point

What South Africa has learnt about COVID and what the next steps could be

After around two years of hyper vigilance and restrictions, pandemic fatigue is beginning to set in. Globally, there are waves of protests against public health measures to curb the spread of COVID-19, including vaccination. At the same time, countries are easing restrictions or lifting them all together. Does this spell the end of the COVID-19 pandemic?

Talking Point

South Africa should rethink regulations on genetically modified plants

Food security is a global priority – and it is becoming more urgent in the face of climate change, which is already affecting crop productivity. One way to improve food security is to increase crop yields.

Talking Point

Fig wasp sex ratios show that not all of nature is by design

In his 1859 book, On the Origin of Species, British naturalist Charles Darwin put forward his theory of natural selection. This, he argued, was the mechanism of biological evolution: like an animal or plant breeder selects for certain characteristics, individuals with better survival ability leave more offspring.

Talking Point

Planned seismic survey by Shell has kicked up a storm in South Africa. Here’s an explainer

The planned seismic survey off South Africa’s Wild Coast by energy company Shell has unleashed public outrage in the country and beyond. The survey’s aim is to search for oil and gas deposits. Environmental and human rights organisations and fishing communities are trying to block the move in court.

Talking Point

South Africa must address hesitancy to increase COVID vaccination: here’s how

In February 2021, as the first COVID-19 vaccinations were rolled out to healthcare workers in South Africa, there was a renewed sense of hope in the fight against SARS-CoV-2. At the time there were concerns around vaccine procurement and inequity in vaccine distribution. But in the latter part of the year the major obstacle was a slow uptake of the vaccine among the South African public.

Talking Point

How changes to South Africa’s value-added tax affect compliance among small firms

As the quote from US president Franklin D Roosevelt in 1936 suggests, governments across the world need to collect tax revenue to be able to provide public goods and services to their citizens. There are a number of forms of taxes. The most common taxes are personal income tax, corporate income tax, and value-added tax (VAT).