A. Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf) Publications
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This community contains both peer-reviewed and non-peer reviewed publications by ASSAf and its members.
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Item Indigenous Knowledge Systems in Mental Health Care and Policy: Bridging the Gap in Botswana, eSwatini, Lesotho and South Africa(Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf), 2024) Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf)Incorporating indigenous knowledge systems (IKS) into mental health policies poses challenges throughout Africa. Existing health policies often fall short of comprehensively tackling mental health, neurological and substance use disorders. In Africa, traditional health practitioners (THPs) play a crucial and pivotal role in public health management, as well as health care practices, but are not adequately recognised in public health policies. The session aimed to consider ways of integrating them more effectively into policy. The session also aimed to explore the intersection of IKS in mental health care and policy across the four countries. The initiative formed part of the Science Advisory and Strategic Partnership Programme of ASSAf. The objectives of the session were as follows: • To deliberate on the role of traditional practitioners in mental health care and their contribution to holistic healing practices. • To explore the integration of THPs and indigenous practices in national mental health policies and their acceptance within the broader healthcare community. • To identify opportunities for meaningful integration. • To work towards establishing a platform for mental health stakeholders within the SADC region. • To share experiences, identify common ground, and address gaps in mental health, decision making and policies.Item Global Health Approach for Infectious Diseases – A Proposal for the Next Decade(Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf); German Academy of Sciences Leopoldina, 2024) Academy of Science of South Africa; German Academy of Sciences Leopoldina; Académie Nationale des Sciences et Techniques du Sénégal; Ethiopian Academy of SciencesThe German Academy of Sciences Leopoldina, the Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf), the Académie Nationale des Sciences et Techniques du Sénégal (ANSTS), and the Ethiopian Academy of Sciences (EAS) jointly hosted a workshop in May 2023 on "Infectious Diseases beyond COVID-19" at the Max Planck Institute for Infection Biology in Berlin, Germany. The objectives of the workshop were to deliberate on the lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic and to formulate strategies for enhancing preparedness in the face of both existing and future infectious disease threats, with emphasis on the "One Health" approach and the interplay of climate change. Academia, private enterprises, non-governmental organisations, and political sectors participated in the workshop. Herewith the Conference brief is provided to highlight key recommendations.Item ASSAf Statement in Support of Open Science and Impact, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility (IDEIA)(Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf), 2023) Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf); SciELO NetworkOn the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the SciELO Network, the coordinators of the national collections of quality, full-text Open Access journals from the 14 countries of the SciELO Network agreed on this statement. The ASSAf Council endorsed this statement on 25 October 2023.Item A Review of Research, Development and Innovation of Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Technologies in South Africa(Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf), 2023) Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf)This report supports the high-level agreement between South Africa (through the DMRE) and the IAEA by providing a solid foundation upon which a national strategic framework on peaceful uses of nuclear technologies in South Africa can be built. The objectives of the study were to review relevant current and historical national policies, plans and strategies; review the national landscape of existing and emerging RDI role players and activities in the country; develop baseline information around the nuclear technology landscape to assist with targets and indicators for monitoring and evaluation; review the Country Programme Framework (CPF) between South Africa and the IAEA and make recommendations on how the IAEA Technical Cooperation Programme could be leveraged to strengthen the nuclear technology sector in South Africa; and make proposals on how to define a South African nuclear technology RDI flagship programme. Characterisation of the needs and gaps contains the following elements: • a brief explanation of the need setting out the context in terms of the severity and relevance. • a strategic objective to be achieved; and • an indicator, or indicators, for the proposed objective. The study was divided into six broad areas, namely: • agriculture and food security, • human health, • radiation protection, • water and environment, • energy and industry, • nuclear safety, security and safeguards.Item African Open Science Platform PART II: Frameworks(Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf), 2019) Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf)Item Proceedings of thematic session: Establishing an African knowledge democracy for increased social justice and development(Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf), 2023) Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf)Item Quest Volume 19 Number 4(Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf), 2023-12-14) van Rensburg, Johnny Jansen; Namawejje, Hellen; Seetharam, Yudhvir; de Wit, Christo; Hansson, Johan; Mngwengwe, Luleka; Lugongolo, Masixole; Mthunzi-Kufa, PatienceMoney 101: Going from pocket money to a salary, a budget and life savings; The basics of the economy – and you: From inflation to interest rates to tax...; The not-so stoic investor: Your personality and emotions play a role in investing; ChatGPT and investing: Can ChatGPT help me to invest?; Crypto isn’t dead: The basics of Bitcoin and cryptocurrency investment; Opinion piece: Only degrowth can save us; 2023 NSTF Brilliants Programme: Turning a scientific idea into a business; Pollen-savvy with AI:SA scientists using Artificial Intelligence to improve pollen forecasts; Citizen bird science in KNP: Citizen science and satellite data shed light on bird diversity in Kruger National Park; The light electric: Photonics and electronics is all around you; Ocean-friendly shark fence: Eco-friendly shark barrier technology from South Africa installed in the Bahamas; Biodiversity Biobanks: An insurance policy for the future of nature; FameLab 2023 winner: AI researcher crowned SA’s top young science communicator; Solve for Tomorrow schools competition: Winning school showcases innovative pothole solution; Ancient diamonds: Old diamonds shine light on the evolution of Earth’s continents; Electric minibus taxis: On the bumpy road to electric mobility in SA; South African women in science, take a bow!:2023 L’Oréal-UNESCO Women in Science winners announced;Item Quest Volume 19 Number 3(Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf), 2023) Nzuza, Sinegugu; Ombinda-Lemboumba, Saturnin; Lugongolo, Masixole; Mthunzi-Kufa, Patience; Takalana, Charles; Kubheka, Duduzile; Viviers, Alma; Tiki, Zodwa; Moleboge, Lekoloane; Bell, Lebohang,Teboho; Tsekoa, Tsepo; Chikwamba, Rachel; Moralo, Maabo; Pillay, Priyen; Kathrada, Fatima; Marimuthu, ThashreeGeneration SPACE: South Africa’s contribution to a new generation of space exploration; SA’s first National Space Conference: Celebrating South Africa’s ‘brilliant’ space future; A celestial journey: From stargazing in Ancient Africa to the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) era; The #AfricaLookup campaign: Protecting our dark skies; Science in (Karoo) silence: Breaking ground on the future of ground-breaking space science; Turning stars into stories: The power of the naked eye to observe celestial objects; Careers focus: Exploring careers in astronomy and space science: Schools competition!; Win a trip to visit the SKA-Mid site in the Karoo; The power of solid-state lasers: A new way of exploring nature; Africa’s big dream: Making our own vaccines: Breaking barriers, blooming strength: Towards women’s health empowerment; NSTF Brilliants Programme winner profile: Matimba Manganyi is ready to join Generation SPACE; Chandrayaan-3: India puts lunar rover on the moon’s south pole - a historic first; Moon base incoming: South Africa joins China’s International Lunar Research Station; Home grown satellites: Dragonfly Aerospace ensures EOS SAT-1 sustainability with Neuraspace partnership.Item The 5th National Global Change Conference; Transformative Futures for Water Security Seminar(Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf), 2023) Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf)The 5th National Global Change Conference organised by the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI) and the National Research Foundation (NRF), in partnership with the University of the Free State (UFS), took place at the Bloemfontein Campus of the UFS, from 30 January to 2 February 2023. The central theme of the 5th National Global Change Conference was: “Research and Innovation Accelerating transformations to global sustainability”. The Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf) and the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) jointly hosted a hybrid special session titled, Transformative Futures for Water Security on 31 January 2023. The objectives of the session were to; 1. Obtain sector grounded suggestions to climate change adaptation for the water sector, and 2. Identify data and information gaps under the cloud of climate change to influence planning for a water secure future. This Special Session provided a multisectoral dialogue on South Africa’s water future and adaptation to the influence of climate change. The engagement proposed and discussed actions required nationally and regionally to strengthen water security in the face of global change. The following key recommendations were tabled from the session: 1. Engagement with communities to promote conservation of water resources must be a priority. 2. Municipalities need to develop own groundwater strategies to inform groundwater utilisation. 3. The process of transforming the water sector should be taken to local communities. 4. Water use quotas need to be stricter. 5. The implementation of solutions from the research community is commonly hindered bureaucratic processes; there needs to be means to minimize red tape.Item Water Security Seminar: Sustainable Development Goal 6, Access to Water and Sanitation for all(Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf), 2023) Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf)On 14 March 2023 the Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf) hosted the Water Security Seminar to launch the ASSAf Statement on Water Security in South Africa, and engage across sectors on solutions to strengthen water sustainability. The crafting of the Statement was necessitated by the United Nations 2023 Water Conference and to highlight the socio-economic threat in the face of continuously declining water security in South Africa, thus a call for action. The solution targeted Statement was crafted by a 20-member panel from various local institutions. The Statement was in sync with the discussion themes of the UN 2023 Water Conference, namely, (1) Water for Health, (2) Water for Development, (3) Water for Climate, Resilience and Environment, (4) Water for Cooperation, and (5) Water Action Decade. During the Seminar, the Statement was handed over to the water sector leader, the Department of Water and Sanitation represented by their Chief Engineer, Mr Mark Bannister. Mr Bannister additionally gave an overview of South Africa’s progress concerning Sustainable Development Goal 6. Sectors that attended the Seminar include, government (national and local government), academia and research institutions, water boards, business, agriculture, energy generation, media, non-governmental organisations. Seminar attendance by youth was noteworthy as represented by: Jabulani Technical Secondary School (Soweto), South African Young Academy of Science, Sibayeni Metro Farming, Young Water Professionals, South Africa Youth Parliament for Water. During the Seminar, ASSAf additionally communicated endeavours to establish the ASSAf Water Security Forum as a multi-sectoral platform to engage on water issues concerning South Africa.