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Mail & Guardian
22-07-2025
- Health
- Mail & Guardian
AI can advance the sustainable development goals
Artificial intelligence used with intention, inclusivity and oversight improve healthcare and education, as well as mitigate the effects of climate change. Photo: Delwyn Verasamy/M&G As South Africa contends with persistent development issues such as poverty, inequality, healthcare disparities, educational gaps and environmental threats, the promise of artificial intelligence (AI) is no longer a distant frontier but an essential catalyst for transformative change. AI is already being implemented globally to tackle complex development problems. For South Africa, the question is how to integrate it effectively to support sustainable and inclusive growth. If wisely and ethically harnessed, AI could become one of the most powerful instruments in South Africa's pursuit of the United Nations' sustainable development goals (SDGs). It has the potential to accelerate progress, narrow inequality and unlock the latent potential of South African society. But this potential must be cultivated with intention, inclusivity and oversight. SDG 3: Transforming healthcare and saving lives: South Africa's healthcare system, although marked by moments of excellence, remains strained by disparities in access, quality and resource allocation. The application of AI in this domain holds promise not just for efficiency but for equity. AI-driven diagnostic tools can rapidly detect diseases such as tuberculosis, malaria and cancer. Algorithms trained on large datasets can identify symptoms from images or scans with an accuracy that rivals, or even exceeds, that of human practitioners. Moreover, AI can improve disease surveillance by predicting and modeling outbreaks, which is critical in a country still grappling with the dual burden of communicable and non-communicable diseases. Predictive models based on environmental data, patient mobility and historical records can help public health authorities anticipate and mitigate disease spread before it escalates into full-blown crises. Treatment personalisation is another frontier. AI systems can optimise treatment plans based on a patient's genetic profile, lifestyle data and real-time biometrics, thereby enhancing outcomes and reducing adverse effects. This is particularly relevant for chronic disease management such as diabetes, hypertension, and HIV/Aids, where continuous monitoring and dynamic response are key. In remote or underserved areas, AI-powered mobile health platforms can bring diagnostic and consultation services to communities long excluded from specialist care. SDG 4: Education: In the realm of education, AI is poised to democratise access and personalise learning experiences in a manner previously unimaginable. South Africa's education system, despite significant investment, remains beset by inequality in quality and outcomes, especially in rural and peri-urban areas. AI can bridge these gaps through intelligent tutoring systems that adapt to individual learners' pace, preferences and proficiency. For instance, AI-powered platforms can assess where a student is struggling and adjust content delivery to reinforce those areas, offering real-time feedback and customised learning paths. This degree of personalisation can significantly reduce dropout rates and improve performance across diverse learner populations. Furthermore, AI can support inclusive education by assisting learners with disabilities. Speech-to-text, text-to-speech and natural language processing tools can make content more accessible to blind, deaf or dyslexic students. In multilingual societies like South Africa, AI-driven language translation tools can also ensure that learning materials reach students in their home languages, enhancing comprehension and cultural relevance. Educators also benefit. AI can automate administrative tasks, provide insights into student performance and suggest interventions, freeing teachers to focus on pedagogy and mentorship. At a systemic level, AI can support policymakers by analysing educational outcomes across regions and demographics, enabling targeted interventions and better allocation of resources. SDG 13: Climate change: As the climate crisis intensifies, South Africa finds itself on the front line of its economic, social and ecological consequences. Water scarcity, biodiversity loss and extreme weather events pose existential threats to both urban and rural livelihoods. AI offers sophisticated tools for mitigation, adaptation and resilience-building. Through the processing of vast environmental datasets, AI can produce accurate climate models that forecast the effect of rising temperatures, shifting rainfall patterns and other ecological disruptions. AI can integrate real-time weather data, satellite imagery and hydrological models to improve drought forecasts. These models can guide agricultural planning, infrastructure development, and water resource management with unparalleled precision. Farmers can use AI for precision agriculture, monitoring soil health, optimising irrigation and predicting yields. Energy efficiency is another critical area. AI can optimise the generation, distribution and consumption of energy, reducing carbon footprints while improving access. Smart grids informed by machine learning algorithms can predict demand spikes and reroute electricity to prevent outages. During disasters such as floods or wildfires, AI-enabled systems can provide early warnings, simulate response strategies and coordinate relief efforts. Satellite data combined with AI analytics can map affected areas in real time, identify vulnerable populations and facilitate targeted humanitarian interventions. These applications are not just technically sophisticated but socially vital. Integrating ethics and equity into AI development But the journey to AI-enabled SDGs is not without risks. Issues of data privacy, algorithmic bias, surveillance and digital exclusion must be confronted directly. The use of AI must be guided by principles of transparency, accountability and justice. Local contexts matter, and solutions must be co-created with communities, grounded in local knowledge and aligned with national development priorities. Moreover, AI must not deepen inequalities by creating a technological elite. Investments must be made in digital infrastructure, skills development and research capabilities, particularly in historically marginalised areas. If AI is to be a force for good, its benefits must be broadly shared, and its design must reflect the values and diversity of South African society. To avoid surveillance, bias and misuse of data, the country needs strong ethical guidelines. The Presidential Commission on the Fourth Industrial Revolution has made initial recommendations, but these must be translated into enforceable policies. The private sector, particularly in fintech, agri-tech, edtech and healthtech, must be encouraged to innovate responsibly. Universities and research institutions should intensify efforts to localise AI knowledge production and ensure that South African problems are being solved by South African minds. Most importantly, the state must play a catalytic role in ensuring that the regulatory frameworks, data governance standards and public investments align with the broader vision of sustainable development. The alignment between AI and the SDGs is not coincidental; it is foundational. AI is not just about machines, it is about leveraging intelligence, in all its forms, to solve humanity's greatest problems. Let us seize this opportunity not just with code and computation, but with compassion, conscience and collective purpose. Dinko Herman Boikanyo is an associate professor of business management at the University of Johannesburg. He writes in his personal capacity.
Mail & Guardian
21-07-2025
- Health
- Mail & Guardian
Traces of ARVs in drinking water ‘harmless' but can affect health over time
Wastewater treatment processes cannot remove the bioactive compounds, underlining the need for technological advancements. Photo: Delwyn Verasamy The presence of Last week, the Mail & Guardian Current wastewater treatment processes are inadequate for removing these bioactive compounds, underlining the need for technological advancements, the authors said. The drugs most frequently detected were Aquatic ecosystems and wastewater management systems were affected. Freshwater snails exposed to ARVs exhibited altered embryonic development, while bacteriophages — viruses critical to controlling bacteria in wastewater treatment — were significantly affected. Such disruptions could lead to bacterial blooms and reduced water quality, the authors said. 'The consumption of any type of exogenous drug by any organism in sufficient quantities may intervene with the regulation of metabolic systems and bring about adverse effects,' said the study, warning that the presence of antiretrovirals in water 'can be considered a hidden or latent risk'. 'Humans are also exposed to these compounds via drinking water, and at concentrations exceeding calculated hazard quotients,' the authors said. 'Although not found in this study, humans and other organisms may potentially ingest antiretrovirals and their breakdown products via aquatic organisms such as fish.' Concentrations of ARVs in some water sources exceeded acceptable thresholds, posing potential long-term health risks to people. Nearly all antiretrovirals were found in natural systems and some in drinking water, although none were found in the fish tissue samples, nor were antiretroviral metabolites found. Since early 2000, the WRC, along with local and international partner research organisations, has commissioned several studies on the presence of Its research has focused on CECs such as microplastics, chemicals, and One of the studies related to ARVs was undertaken by the University of North West. 'As reported in the media, the study found traces of ARVs in water samples taken from rivers and potable water sources, the joint statement said. 'This can be attributed to the pharmacological process where the active part of the medication is absorbed by the body, leaving the residual to be discharged from the body, subsequently finding its way into the sewage system. These traces of ARVs can then also be present in water that has been extracted from the rivers by municipalities to be treated and supplied as potable water.' Globally, CECs are increasingly recognised as a concern for water quality, especially in wastewater and reclaimed wastewater for potable reuse, as well as agricultural water uses. 'However, CECs are a relatively new area of research globally, particularly relating to the causes and effects of CEC, the human health risks, treatment methods to remove CECs, and potential regulatory measures that can be taken to address the problem.' The WRC research has focused on increasing understanding of the sources, pathways, and potential effects of CECs on water resources. The South African National Standard 'The traces of pharmaceuticals, microplastics and other such CECs that have been found in water resources in South Africa are very small quantities, measured in nanograms (one billionth of a gram). Conventional water and wastewater treatment technologies are designed to remove much larger contaminants such as particles of faeces and bacteria.' Higher concentrations of traces of ARVs were found downstream of wastewater treatment plants, which means that the municipal wastewater treatment works are not removing them, 'because most existing wastewater treatment works have not been designed to remove CECs. 'Low concentrations of ARVs were found in some of the The WRC and the department said that there is limited knowledge of environmental toxicity, potential adverse effects on ecosystems and viral resistance of these compounds. 'CECs in water is a growing global problem and area of attention around the world. 'Globally, the level of CEC compounds in water is generally not yet regulated. This is partly due to their presence often being below water quality detection limits. However, due to their continuous production, lack of appropriate disposal, constant input into the environment and presence in water resources, albeit in small concentrations, there is now increasing global research into the issue.' Rand Water said it has been monitoring ARVs since 2015. 'Rand Water, like other research institutions, detected ARVs in the natural waters located downstream of wastewater treatment plants.' The bulk water services provider abstracts water from the Vaal Dam, which is located upstream of these wastewater treatment plants. 'Rand Water has not detected ARVs at the point of abstraction in the Vaal Dam and concomitantly in any of its treated final drinking water.' 'Rand Water assures the public that drinking water remains safe for human consumption. Rand Water, as the remains committed to protecting the health of consumers by providing potable water that complies with SANS241 standards and safe for human consumption.' For the study, North-West University sampled water upstream and downstream of wastewater treatment plants — specifically Sunderland Ridge, Vlakplaats, Waterval, Olifantsfontein River, Welgedacht, Zeekoegat, Flip Human and Baragwanath — in northern and southern Gauteng. Sampling sites included the The most frequently detected compound was fluconazole (28 detections from 72 samples), with concentrations ranging from 0.06 to 1.8 μg/L (micrograms per litre). Nevirapine and efavirenz were the second-most detected compounds, both with 22 out of 72 samples. On average, lopinavir and efavirenz had the highest concentrations of the compounds analysed. Didanosine and zidovudine were the least detected compounds — two and six out of 72.
Mail & Guardian
18-07-2025
- Business
- Mail & Guardian
A true Mandela Day contribution from companies must be a business plan that addresses extreme poverty
(Delwyn Verasamy/M&G) Across South Africa, businesses on 18 July will recognise Nelson Mandela International Day, brought into life by the United Nations in a We should respect all good deeds, however small. But we in business are expected to study market needs as well as the strategies and operations required to meet them. We must admit that these acts, even counted all together, will have little discernible effect on the plight of the poor and vulnerable in South Africa. They do not constitute a business plan for dealing with extreme poverty. This is in part because of the paradox of the South African economy since the transition that Mandela led. According to Yet over that same period, undernourishment has doubled, the labour force participation rate has declined, and millions more live in what United Nations Habitat characterises as slums. Even if lower than at the worst moments of the liberation struggle, violent death rates are astoundingly high — 45 per 100000 South Africans a year, compared with five per 100 000 globally or even 14 in sub-Saharan Africa, including countries at war. In other measures, we are also grossly underperforming our peers. Brazil has a population that is more than three times as large as South Africa's. It is a poorer country, with a per capita GDP in PPP terms only two thirds as large. Yet more than Given these sober realities, the actions that businesses take on 18 July (even if sustained throughout the year) will be palliative measures at best. At worst, they do nothing to sustainably nourish the poor while they feed the self-justification of those in business who have profited greatly these past decades. Honest reflection requires recognition by business leaders that the model of global capitalism that South Africa embraced in 1994 and of which they are part has failed to deliver for the poorest. Across Africa, the arrival of foreign direct investment will actually In South Africa we see these outcomes in the platinum belt, which accounts for more than 70% of global production. Investment, production and profits more than doubled in the post-apartheid period. Meanwhile, neighbouring populations suffer some of the worst development outcomes in the country, with Statistics South Africa 2020 data showing, for example, that the unemployment rate in Bonjanala Platinum district municipality stands at 49%, fewer than 20% of homes are connected to running water, and fewer than a third of adults have finished high school. Under these dire circumstances, small acts of charity by businesses that profit from the status quo economy while Why are we still having this conversation? A group of leaders across sectors convened last month to consider the private sector Africa needs for peaceful and inclusive development. This unfolded under the aegis of the Business & Conflict Observatory, an initiative for evidence-based dialogue in cooperation between Stellenbosch University and the United Nations Peacebuilding Support Office. One of the most important questions grappled with was why we (as South Africans in general but as those concerned with business in particular) are still having this conversation about a bad-fit private sector that seems largely divorced from delivering on the promises of the Constitution for the country's poorest and most vulnerable — even though the nature of the economy was always considered core to both apartheid and the success of the democratic transition. They concluded that part of the answer may lie in the timing and abruptness of the economic transition, with South Africa (as one participant noted) 'experiencing globalisation before country knew who it was' and its disruption to generational ways of making a living as well as community structures of mutual support of the poorest grossly underestimated. We can feel stuck in a system that was probably bad-for-fit from the beginning. Part seems to lie in the culture of businesses: labour treated as a disposable factor of production, a cynical or hostile orientation to black economic empowerment, or the chasing of greater profits abroad rather than reinvestment in the productive economy at home, as just a few examples. Some may not recognise the degree to which they are acting out a mindset inherited from the Apartheid era. But the most important seems to lie with contemporary business leaders themselves. Many simply do not consider the plight of the poorest and most vulnerable, even if touched by or proximate to their operations. Many fail to move beyond opportunistic, enterprise-focused investments towards the coherent sectoral or place-based approaches at the heart of human development. And they may live largely in echo chambers of blame-shifting (most prominently to government) in which a vision for the private sector's role in a peaceful and inclusive economy that reaches the poorest and most vulnerable doesn't even come into question. A true Mandela Day contribution by business The Consultative Business Movement — the most progressive private sector voice during the democratic transition — engaged already in 1990 in self-critique that still rings true today: 'While business leaders have been willing to participate in externally focused initiatives, they have proved less willing to apply themselves with equal rigour to transforming their organisations so that the organisations reflect the culture of non-racial democracy and human rights at organisational and operational levels.' This suggests that leaders this Mandela Day should not look outward for charitable opportunities, but rather inward towards the transformations required from businesses themselves. Here are a few that business leaders can undertake today. Listen and learn . We can sit with those in government and civil society most directly involved in the problems of the poorest and most vulnerable. We can make it our business to be informed citizens with respect to issues of human security and human development such as hunger, violence, housing, education and livelihoods at both local and national levels. Commit in the organisation . We can examine our own roles — direct and indirect, intentional or not, by act or omission — in extreme poverty. We can declare it part of the strategy of the organisation that no person touched by the company — starting with employees and suppliers and building towards customers and proximate communities — be denied the full promise of our Constitution. Take calculated risks . Where the problem or the solution are beyond the scope of the individual enterprise, we can adopt the mindset that the failure to achieve a transformed South Africa may not be our fault, but it is our shared responsibility. We can invest not only financial and technical resources but relationship and political capital in coalitions demanding systemic transformation to end extreme poverty. In doing so business leaders might see, in the spirit of the day, that a true Mandela Day contribution to his vision as enshrined in our Constitution can be built from discrete but consequential actions — but only if we start with change within ourselves. Professor Brian Ganson heads the Centre on Conflict & Collaboration at Stellenbosch Business School.
Mail & Guardian
17-07-2025
- General
- Mail & Guardian
How a geographic environment shapes a child's learning
Geography dictates not only resources but also exposure. (Delwyn Verasamy/M&G) Does a child's future depend on where they are born? In South Africa, the answer is 'yes.' We speak of education as the 'great equaliser', yet the truth is that a child's environment, whether they live in a village or a city, a suburb or an informal settlement, shapes how and what they learn before they even step into a classroom. In some communities, a child might arrive at a colourful preschool, where trained teachers guide them through puzzles, books and creative play, planting the seeds of critical thinking, numeracy and language development. They may play outdoors safely, observe insects, ask endless 'why' questions, and be met with patient, curious adults who guide exploration with stories and songs. In contrast, a child in a remote village may spend their day looking after younger siblings, fetching water or sitting in a classroom with no books, no toys and a single teacher managing four age groups at once. Their questions may go unanswered, their hunger may overshadow their curiosity, and their opportunities to learn through play may be scarce. Research shows that 90% of brain development happens before the age of five, yet the quality of stimulation children receive in these critical years depends largely on their environment. Access to clean water, safe spaces to play, nutritious food and parents or caregivers who have time to talk to them and tell stories are not just 'nice to haves'. They are the building blocks of literacy, problem-solving skills, emotional well-being and the foundations of lifelong learning. Geography dictates not only resources but also exposure. A child growing up in a community where adults read, where libraries are within walking distance and where children can safely explore nature, enter grade 1 with an advantage that cannot be captured by standardised tests alone. They arrive at school with a broader vocabulary, an ability to concentrate and a curiosity that drives them to learn. Conversely, for many children in under-resourced areas, the world remains small, their vocabulary limited and their curiosity dampened by the daily issue of survival. It is easy to blame schools when children cannot read for meaning by the age of 10, but we forget that learning starts long before that. Children learn by observing, listening, touching and interacting with the world around them. If a child's environment is one of deprivation, where caregivers are too burdened to talk or play with children, or where there are no safe spaces to explore, the learning gap starts early and deepens over time. In South Africa, only a fraction of children under the age of five attend early childhood development (ECD) programmes that meet the standards necessary for optimal development, with rural and informal settlements lagging furthest behind. Nutrition and health are deeply tied to geography. A child who is malnourished struggles to concentrate and is more susceptible to illness, leading to absenteeism from early learning opportunities. Access to healthcare services, including maternal health and immunisations, varies across geographic regions, further entrenching inequality. In areas where violence is common, children may experience toxic stress, which has been shown to disrupt brain architecture, leading to long-term difficulties in learning, emotional regulation and social skills. Safe, nurturing environments are essential to allow children to learn without fear, and geography often determines the level of safety a child experiences daily. Geography shapes not only physical environments but also cultural practices and community structures. In some rural communities, extended families and communal caregiving can provide rich opportunities for social learning and storytelling, while in others, poverty may force children into adult responsibilities, limiting time for play and learning. Urban environments, while often providing greater access to resources, can also be isolating for children, with limited safe outdoor spaces and parents working long hours, leaving children in the care of overstretched caregivers. The balance between resource availability and community support structures varies, and understanding these nuances is crucial in designing interventions that support early learning across different environments. Technology, community-based programmes and innovative mobile learning solutions are bridging some of these gaps. For example, mobile libraries, solar-powered digital learning stations and radio-based storytelling programmes have been used to bring early learning resources to under-resourced areas. Apps designed for early literacy and numeracy can provide children with access to engaging learning materials even in areas where schools are under-resourced. But these innovations cannot replace the need for safe, nurturing physical environments and the human interaction essential for young children's development. Technology should be seen as a tool to supplement, not replace, the need for community-based ECD centres, well-trained teachers and caregiver support. Despite progress, technology and innovation are not enough without the political will to prioritise early childhood development for every child, everywhere. Investment in ECD is not only a social imperative; it is an economic one. Studies show that for every rand invested in early childhood development, there is a significant return in terms of future productivity, reduced social welfare costs and improved societal outcomes. Imagine if every village had a safe, stimulating ECD centre. Imagine if parents in informal settlements had the support and tools to turn homes into learning spaces. Imagine if community health workers were equipped to support parents with practical strategies for early stimulation, nutrition and responsive caregiving. Imagine if geography did not decide a child's destiny. Addressing the geographic inequities that leave some children hungry, others neglected and many stuck in cycles of poverty without access to quality early learning requires a multi-faceted approach. This includes expanding access to quality ECD programmes, improving infrastructure in under-resourced areas, supporting parents and caregivers with practical tools for early learning, and integrating nutrition and health services into early childhood programmes. Theresa Michael is the chief executive of Afrika Tikkun Bambanani and leads a team that has implemented an early learning programme at more than 700 ECD centres in rural and under-resourced communities in South Africa.
Mail & Guardian
11-07-2025
- Health
- Mail & Guardian
‘We told the non-South Africans at the clinic to get out'
Shoo, sjoe!: At the White City Clinic in Gauteng, M&G photographer Delwyn Verasamy initially was turned away for being suspected of being a Pakistani shop owner. Photos: Delwyn Verasamy Protests against the provision of services to foreigners at healthcare facilities highlights the deepening xenophobia in the country This content is restricted to subscribers only . Join the M&G Community Our commitment at the Mail & Guardian is to ensure every reader enjoys the finest experience. Join the M&G community and support us in delivering in-depth news to you consistently. Subscription enables: - M&G community membership - independent journalism - access to all premium articles & features - a digital version of the weekly newspaper - invites to subscriber-only events - the opportunity to test new online features first Already a subscriber?
