The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention has introduced a new governance structure to significantly expand the organization and enhance its capacity to combat diseases across the continent. The new director, Jean Kaseya, praised the developments during the inauguration of the 20-member Advisory and Technical Council in Nairobi, Kenya. The council, which includes representatives from national and international health bodies and the Southern Africa Regional Integrated Surveillance and Laboratory Network, aims to bolster Africa CDC's independence and ensure stronger leadership and ownership by African member states.

The article by Munyaradzi Makoni discusses how a portable solar power supply, the Ecoboxx, is aiding migrants and entrepreneurs in South African townships. Pascal Kassongo, a courier business owner who suffered an accident, was introduced to the 'Amandla!' Project by Scalabrini, a center that assists migrants. The project, which is backed by Community Chest and a Dutch investor, provides training to run small businesses using the Ecoboxx. The device can power activities such as hair cutting and charging cell phones, offering a sustainable income source. The Ecoboxx is sold at a nominal cost to prevent debt and has been distributed to 300 individuals, including migrants and those in rural areas. Success stories from users like Papy Shereza and Janet Bete highlight the positive impact of the project on their lives and communities.

South African researchers are advancing ocean research and development by using robotic gliders to study the Southern Ocean. These gliders, deployed by the Southern Ocean Carbon and Climate Observatory (SOCCO) and the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), are collecting data on oceanic physical processes and their impact on carbon dioxide exchange and phytoplankton growth. The gliders provide a more comprehensive and cost-effective method of data collection compared to traditional ship-based methods. The data collected is crucial for understanding climate change, marine conservation, and could contribute to South Africa's blue economy initiative, Operation Phakisa. The gliders are also used as a training tool for South African engineering students, enhancing local expertise in marine technology.

In South Africa, activists and civil society organizations (CSOs) are protesting President Jacob Zuma's decision to develop nuclear power with Russia's Rossatom, fearing it will lead to financial ruin and not address climate change. The Southern African Faith Communities’ Environment Institute (SAFCEI) and other CSOs are calling for a reevaluation of nuclear energy and a greater emphasis on renewable energy and climate change adaptation. As South Africa prepares for the U.N. Climate Conference (COP21) in Paris, there is a lack of consensus between the government and CSOs on the approach to climate change. The government's White Paper on climate change prioritizes adaptation and economic growth, but CSOs like groundWork and the Institute for Zero Waste in Africa (IZWA) argue for an end to coal developments and a push for energy sovereignty. The Department of Science and Technology (DST) is focusing on climate change research and technological innovations for adaptation.

Charles Dhewa, a former journalist turned farmer, leveraged his agricultural experience to become a communications expert for the Zimbabwe Farmers Union and later a consultant for agricultural development programs. He founded Knowledge Transfer Africa and partnered with Afrosoft Holdings to launch eMkambo, a service that uses ICT to connect farmers, traders, and other stakeholders in Zimbabwe's agriculture sector. With initial funding from Hivos, eMkambo has become a vital platform for sharing market information, enabling transactions, and improving incomes for smallholder farmers. Despite some resistance from mobile service providers and farmers, the platform has shown significant potential for growth and is planning to expand its services to include financial institutions and SMEs, aiming to attract more youth to farming.