south africa

Scientists discover freshwater diversity hotspot in arid region of South Africa

Scientists from Plymouth University have discovered a number of new species in a previously unrecognised hotspot for water beetles in South Africa.

Detailed tests have so far identified six new species which were sampled during a two-day research trip to the Bokkeveld plateau, an area of Namaqualand with reliable winter rains in what is generally an otherwise arid region.

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Apartheid as an Idea - international and domestic contexts

Professor Saul Dubow, Queen Mary College London

Saul Dubow has published widely on the development of racial segregation and apartheid in all its aspects, and his most recent book is Apartheid, 1948-1994 (OUP). His lecture focuses on the analysis of power, paying attention to the importance of ideas, institutions, and culture, and setting South African history in its international context.

Date/time: Tuesday 8 March, 19:00

Running time: 80 mins

Venue: Theatre 2, Roland Levinsky Building

Ticket info: £6.60 / £4.50 / free to Peninsula Arts Friends and...

Bird expert banks on success in South Africa

A bird expert has travelled from South Devon to South Africa to help save an endangered African seabird. And within days of arriving, Living Coasts Senior Head Keeper Lois Rowell has found herself hand-rearing precious chicks.

Lois, an experienced bird keeper practiced in the delicate art of hand-rearing, is spending six weeks working with bank cormorants. She is helping SANCCOB, a...

Schools urged to donate books to Africa

Schools in the South West are being invited to donate books to schools in rural parts of South Africa, as part of a competition to learn about farming in the country.

The 2015 Help a South African School competition asks children in years one through to 11 to learn about fruit farming and the difference it makes to the lives of families in South Africa, and to produce a collage of...

Nelson Mandela dies at the age of 95

Nelson Mandela has died, South Africa's president Jacob Zuma announced tonight.

In a statement on South African national TV, Mr Zuma said Mr Mandela, who was 95, had "departed" and was at peace.

"Our nation has lost its greatest son," Mr Zuma said. He said Mr Mandela, who preached reconciliation despite being imprisoned for 27 years, will receive a full state funeral.

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Mandela 'steadily improving' as his 95th birthday is celebrated

As the South African nation celebrates Nelson Mandela's 95th birthday today, President Jacob Zuma has paid tribute to the former president whose health is "steadily improving", according to doctors.

Mandela, or 'Madiba' (his Xhosa clan name) as he is affectionately known by South Africans, remains in hospital undergoing care and treatment for a recurring lung infection. His condition...