Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

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Power grid remains stable

Source: Government of South Africa

Eskom says the power system remains stable, supported by sustained improvements in generation performance through the ongoing delivery of the Generation Recovery Plan.

In a statement on Friday, the power utility indicated that the month-to-date Energy Availability Factor (EAF) stood at 70.45%, reflecting consistent gains in plant reliability and a reduction in unplanned outages.

This is key to stabilising the grid and supporting economic growth.

“The ongoing technical improvements under Eskom’s Generation Recovery Plan have ensured that electricity demand is met for over 97.8% of the time in the current financial year.

“From 1 April to 2 October 2025, diesel expenditure remained consistently below budget, reflecting reduced reliance on the diesel-powered Open Cycle Gas Turbine (OCGT) fleet, with the year-to-date load factor for OCGTs decreasing to 6.63%,” Eskom explained.

This trend highlights ongoing efficiency improvements, a significant reduction in dependence on diesel generation and a sustained shift toward more cost-effective primary generation sources.

On 29 September 2025, Unit 6 at Kusile Power Station entered commercial operation, marking the completion of Eskom’s New-Build Programme. 

This milestone concludes the construction of South Africa’s two supercritical coal-fired power stations—Medupi and Kusile. 

“Together, they can deliver up to 9 600MW at full capacity, strengthening the country’s continuous (24/7) electricity supply—commonly referred to as baseload capacity. The unit’s output will be included in the EAF calculations, further contributing to Eskom’s overall performance metrics.

“Between 26 September and 2 October 2025, Eskom recorded an average of 9 534MW in unplanned outages, a significant improvement compared to 11 505MW during the same period last year. This represents a year-on-year reduction of 1 971MW in breakdowns — nearly equivalent to the entire output capacity of Koeberg Power Station,” Eskom said.

This trend demonstrates increasing stability and improved reliability across Eskom’s generation fleet. 

The country has gone140 consecutive days without loadshedding, with only 26 hours recorded between 1 April and 2 October 2025.

To further strengthen grid stability, Eskom is planning to return a total of 4 200MW of generation capacity to service ahead of the evening peak on Monday, 6 October 2025 and throughout the coming week.

Eskom published the Summer Outlook on 5 September 2025, covering the period 1 September 2025 to 31 March 2026, which forecasts no loadshedding due to the structural progress in plant performance as a result of the ongoing implementation of the Generation Recovery Plan.

Avoid illegal connections

Eskom has urged customers to avoid illegal connections, purchase electricity only from Eskom accredited vendors, and regularise their accounts. 

These measures are essential to preventing load reduction and ensuring safe, reliable, and equitable electricity access for all.

“Despite the overall stability and reliability of Eskom’s power system, load reduction remains necessary in certain high-risk areas to safeguard infrastructure and ensure public safety. 

“This is primarily due to electricity theft through illegal connections and meter tampering, which compromise the integrity of the network. These activities often result in equipment damage, transformer overloads, and, in severe cases, explosions and prolonged outages,” the power utility said.

To mitigate these risks, Eskom may implement load reduction by temporarily switching off power in affected areas during peak demand periods. 

Between April and June 2025, average load reductions ranged from 529MW to 544MW.

Eskom, however, is committed to eliminating load reduction within the next 12 to 18 months. 

“This goal will be achieved by addressing 640,000 illegal connections, upgrading infrastructure — including the installation of smart meters — curbing illegal electricity vending, and expanding access to free basic electricity in priority areas,” Eskom said. –SAnews.gov.za

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Gauteng government schools have 8 596 smart classrooms

Source: Government of South Africa

As part of an initiative to transform classrooms into digital learning spaces with top of the range information communications technology, the Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) has to date introduced a total of 8 596 smart classrooms.

These classrooms are prioritised for township secondary schools and identified primary schools in line with the GDE Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Strategy. 

“For years, the GDE has rolled out LED interactive display panels in selected schools to support interactive and collaborative learning. These devices feature high-definition screens with multi-touch capacity, stylus support, software integration, and multiple connectivity options including Wi-Fi, LAN, HDMI, USB, and Bluetooth,” the department said on Friday.

Each unit includes a warranty, training for educators, and maintenance support.

According to the department, full ICT schools receive smart classrooms from Grade 7 to 12, while township fee- and no fee-paying schools receive them from Grades 10 to 12, depending on classroom infrastructure readiness. 

Smart classrooms meet minimum standards including electricity, safety and security, and installed LED boards.

Over the past three financial years the department has invested in LED interactive display boards as follows: in 2022/23, a total of 1 020 boards were purchased at a unit cost of R123 950, while in 2023/24, 1 000 boards at R124 730, and in 2024/25, 500 boards at R125 300.

“These devices were selected to align with pedagogical requirements, support interactive learning, integrate with existing ICT infrastructure, and ensure operational durability. 

“The installation, training, and maintenance are included in the unit costs. Additional smart classrooms are not planned for the 2025/26 financial year due to budget constraints.

“Bongani Rainmaker Logistics manages the provisioning and installation of LED boards under a project valued at R63 million for the 2024/25 financial year, with R62 650 000 transferred to date,” the department said.

These stats were provided by the department in a statement outlining key education initiatives and recent developments, reflecting its ongoing commitment to improving teaching, learning, safety, and skills development across Gauteng.

Special Schools

With 655 full-time specialists employed at special schools, comprising 522 therapists and 133 nurses, the department said it continues to strengthen support for special schools across the province.

Psychologists based at head office and district offices provide support across all schools within their districts.

“Learner-to-specialist ratios vary by district, ranging from 1:50 to 1:129. To address staffing needs, there are 453 teacher vacancies and 125 specialist vacancies. 

“Recruitment occurs twice a year nationally, with the Occupation-Specific Dispensation (OSD) supporting retention of specialist staff.

“Curriculum offerings include the Technical Occupational Curriculum in 44 schools, the Differentiated Curriculum Assessment Policy Statement (DCAPS) for Severe Intellectual Disabilities in 73 schools, and the Learning Programme for Profound Intellectual Disabilities in 27 schools,” the department said.

The department provides ongoing support through professional learning communities, integrated school assessment pilots, and DCAPS training via the Mathew Goniwe School of Leadership and Governance.

Educators in special schools are highly qualified, with 99.66% professionally registered with the South African Council of Educators, and 22% holding additional accredited qualifications in inclusive education related fields.

Samson LSEN school

The Samson LSEN school currently has 486 learners and received R8.9 million in funding for 2025/26 to support teaching, learner wellbeing, transport, and skills development.

“Half of teaching time is dedicated to practical skills through the Technical Occupation Curriculum, covering Consumer Studies, Motor Mechanics, Hair Care, Computer Literacy, and Woodwork. Programmes are evaluated by the Sector Education and Training Authority (SETA) where applicable and by GDE District Curriculum and Assessment Units.

“Skills classrooms funded in 2022 were completed in late 2024 and are being finalised for full use, accommodating up to 15 learners each,” the department said.

Meanwhile, the Nancefield Primary School project in Eldorado Park, south of Johannesburg, has reached 69% completion.

The main contractor, SMC Construction & Building, is supported by DNA Land Use Consultants as professional service providers. 

“All monies owed to the contractor have been paid, with an additional budget allocation of R87 million provided for project completion,” the department said. – SAnews.gov.za

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Africa Resilience Forum 2025: Development leaders call for high-quality border infrastructure to facilitate free movement of goods and people

Source: APO


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The political will to build quality infrastructure at borders, including the construction of a single digitised checkpoint between two neighbouring countries, should facilitate the free movement of people and goods and help streamline cross-border trade in Africa, participants in the sixth edition of the Africa Resilience Forum (http://apo-opa.co/4mPrYfq), heard on Wednesday 1 October.

The discussion was the subject of a panel session “Regional Integration and Trade as Pathways to Peace”, held during the meeting which runs from 1 to 3 October 2025 in Abidjan.

“The ideal is to have a single border post between countries – if we were to have strong infrastructure like that, it would help facilitate trade,” said Mohammed Abdiker, Chief of Staff of the International Organization for Migration (IOM).

Abdiker pointed to political will as an essential condition for any potential achievements in this area. “We must all work together, advocating to our governments on the importance of the movement of goods and people for a more integrated management of our borders,” he urged. “Not only for customs duties, but also for science and technology.”

The International Organization for Migration had previously worked on a project for a single border post between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda. Abdiker said: “It worked for a while. Now we have started another similar project with the African Development Bank between the Central African Republic and Cameroon, which is improving cross-border trade.”

In January 2021, the African Union launched the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to increase intra-African trade and stimulate inclusive and sustainable development in industry, infrastructure, and agriculture. By January 2025, 49 countries had ratified the agreement, creating a potential market of 1.3 billion people.

The African Development Bank Group actively supports this initiative by financing projects to establish single border posts, which are trade facilitation centres designed to simplify and speed up customs clearance and border control procedures between countries on the continent. The One Stop Border Post project has notably led to the establishment of a single control post between Tanzania and Kenya (http://apo-opa.co/4o9jyk5). In addition, the African Development Fund, the Bank Group’s concessional lending window, has contributed to the establishment of a juxtaposed checkpoint between Benin and Togo (http://apo-opa.co/4o8qMVx).

“As well as having a single border post at each of our borders, we will need to digitise border services,” noted Magdalene Dagoseh, Liberia’s Minister of Commerce and Industry. She added: “This is a solution for controlling not only the movement of people, but also commercial goods. By digitising the various border points, we can fight corruption – we know how many people have left or entered, and this prevents other problems.”

Ziad Hamoui, President of Borderless Alliance, an initiative launched in 2012 by West African private sector actors, called for the involvement of civil society in the design of public policies in order to find solutions to improve the movement of people and goods across borders. “There is formal trade, but also informal trade, not to mention illicit trade and smuggling,” he said. “Today, the volume of trade in the informal sector is higher than in the formal sector. So if you don’t know what’s going on at the borders, you won’t know how to manage it.”

The Africa Resilience Forum, organised every two years by the African Development Bank Group, brings together policymakers and practitioners from the humanitarian-development-peace nexus to explore strategies for scaling up prevention efforts and stimulating peace-building investments across the continent.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Development Bank Group (AfDB).

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Stay safe online

Source: Government of South Africa

Government has called on members of the public to remain vigilant, responsible, and digitally literate to ensure their safety in cyberspace. 

“Cybersecurity is a shared responsibility, and by working together, we can protect citizens, especially vulnerable groups such as children and the elderly, from the ever-growing threats in the digital space,” Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) said on Friday.

Government’s plea comes as South Africa joins the global community in observing Cybersecurity Awareness Month this October by educating the public and private sectors about the importance of online security and promoting practical steps to reduce cyber risks.

As part of these efforts, government, in partnership with stakeholders across law enforcement, civil society, and the private sector, hosted a webinar on Thursday on cybersecurity awareness and responsible use of online platforms.

During this session, Department of Communications and Digital Technologies Deputy Director for Cybersecurity Operations Noma-Efese Mnqeta, highlighted the role of the National Cybersecurity Hub, a Computer Security Incident Response Team hosted by the department. 

The Hub works closely with the South African Police Service on cybercrime investigations, the Internet Service Providers’ Association on fraudulent website takedowns, and the GCIS on public awareness. 

She warned about the growing prevalence of tender scams, investment scams and online shopping fraud, which continue to target unsuspecting citizens.

Brigadier Rapula Mosito, Section Head of Cybercrime Investigation at the HAWKS, indicated that cybercrime is enforceable under the Cybercrimes Act 19 of 2020, while cybersecurity matters are guided by the forthcoming Cybersecurity Bill. 

He identified phishing, ransomware, malware, identity theft, online child exploitation, and personal data theft as key threats.

Film and Publications Board (FPB) Acting CEO Hulisani Ramugadi expressed concern about the rise in harmful online content, including image-based abuse, cyberbullying, hate speech, and malicious AI-generated material. 

He emphasised that sharing intimate images without consent was a crime and highlighted the FPB’s partnerships with social media platforms to issue takedown notices for harmful material.

Head of Client Services at Digify Africa Omphile Kgwathe-Nkiwane encouraged South Africans to practice safe digital habits through platforms like Kitso on WhatsApp (076 593 7181), which provides parents, teachers, and learners with digital safety tips. 

She urged citizens to use strong passwords and avoid using personal information as passwords. 

In addition, Kgwathe-Nkiwane urged the public to never share one-time pins (OTPs) or banking details, avoid public Wi-Fi for sensitive transactions and to stay alert to suspicious links, unsolicited calls, and fraudulent emails. –SAnews.gov.za

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Forum pour la résilience en Afrique 2025 : des dirigeants du développement plaident pour des infrastructures de qualité aux frontières pour faciliter la libre circulation des biens et des personnes

Source: Africa Press Organisation – French


La volonté politique de bâtir des infrastructures de qualité aux frontières, notamment la construction d’un seul poste de contrôle numérisé entre deux pays voisins, devrait permettre de faciliter la libre circulation des personnes et des biens et aider à fluidifier le commerce transfrontalier en Afrique. Cette idée a été exprimée, mercredi, par des panélistes lors de la sixième édition du Forum pour la résilience en Afrique (http://apo-opa.co/4mPrYfq), qui se tient du 1er au 3 octobre 2025 à Abidjan.

  « L’idéal est d’avoir un seul poste frontalier entre les pays. Si nous avons de telles infrastructures fortes, cela aidera à la facilitation du commerce », a déclaré Mohammed Abdiker, chef de cabinet de l’Organisation internationale pour les migrations (OIM).

M. Abdiker qui faisait partie d’un panel réuni sur le thème « Intégration régionale et commerce : voies vers la paix », a pointé la volonté politique comme condition indispensable à toute réalisation dans ce domaine. « Nous devons travailler tous ensemble, plaider auprès de nos gouvernants sur l’importance des mouvements des biens et des personnes pour une gestion plus intégrée de nos frontières. Pas seulement pour les taxes douanières, mais aussi pour la science et la technologie », a-t-il appelé.

Il a expliqué que l’Organisation internationale pour les migrations avait travaillé sur le projet d’un seul poste entre la République démocratique du Congo et le Rwanda. « Cela a fonctionné pendant un moment. Maintenant, nous avons commencé un autre projet du même genre, avec la Banque africaine de développement, entre la République centrafricaine et le Cameroun, ce qui améliore le commerce transfrontalier », a souligné M. Abdiker.

L’Union africaine a lancé en janvier 2021, la Zone de libre-échange continentale africaine (ZLECAf), pour accroître le commerce intra-africain, stimuler le développement inclusif et durable de l’industrie, de l’infrastructure et de l’agriculture. Au mois de janvier 2025, 49 pays avaient ratifié l’accord pour un marché de 1,3 milliard d’habitants. Le Groupe de la Banque africaine de développement soutient activement cette initiative à travers un financement de projets visant à établir des postes-frontières uniques, qui sont des centres de facilitation du commerce conçus pour simplifier et accélérer les procédures de dédouanement et de contrôles aux frontières entre les pays du continent. Le projet « One Stop Border Post » a notamment permis d’établir un  poste unique de contrôle entre la Tanzanie et le Kenya (http://apo-opa.co/4o9jyk5). Le Fonds africain de développement, le guichet de prêts concessionnels du Groupe de la Banque, a contribué à établir un poste de contrôle juxtaposé entre le Bénin et le Togo (http://apo-opa.co/4o8qMVx).

« En plus d’avoir un seul poste frontalier à chacune de nos frontières, il faudra une numérisation des services frontaliers, a noté Magdalene Dagoseh, ministre du Commerce et de l’Industrie du Libéria.  Avant d’ajouter : « C’est une solution pour contrôler non seulement le mouvement des populations, mais aussi des produits commerciaux. En digitalisant les différents points frontaliers, on parvient à lutter contre la corruption, on sait combien de personnes sont sorties ou entrées et cela évite d’autres problèmes. »

Ziad Hamoui, qui préside Borderless Alliance, une initiative des acteurs du secteur privé ouest-africain lancée en 2012, a appelé à impliquer la société civile dans la conception des politiques publiques afin d’avoir des solutions pour renforcer la circulation des personnes et des biens aux frontières. « Il y a le commerce formel, mais aussi le commerce informel, sans parler du commerce illicite et de la contrebande. Aujourd’hui, le volume d’échanges dans le commerce informel est plus élevé que celui du commerce formel. Alors si vous ne savez pas ce qu’il se passe aux frontières, vous ne saurez pas comment les gérer », a-t-affirmé.

Le Forum pour la résilience en Afrique, organisé tous les deux ans par le Groupe de la Banque africaine de développement rassemble des décideurs politiques et des praticiens du nexus humanitaire-développement-paix pour explorer des stratégies visant à intensifier les efforts de prévention et à stimuler les investissements favorables à la paix sur l’ensemble du continent.

Distribué par APO Group pour African Development Bank Group (AfDB).

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Fórum Africano sobre Resiliência 2025: Líderes do desenvolvimento apelam a infraestruturas fronteiriças de alta qualidade para facilitar a livre circulação de bens e pessoas

Source: Africa Press Organisation – Portuguese –

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A vontade política de construir infraestruturas de qualidade nas fronteiras, incluindo a construção de um único posto de controlo digital entre dois países vizinhos, deverá facilitar a livre circulação de pessoas e bens e ajudar a simplificar o comércio transfronteiriço em África, segundo os participantes numa sessão realizada na sexta edição do Fórum Africano sobre Resiliência (http://apo-opa.co/436pdPB).

A discussão foi tema de uma sessão do painel ‘Integração Regional e Comércio como Caminhos para a Paz’, realizada durante a reunião que decorre de 1 a 3 de outubro de 2025 em Abidjan.

“O ideal é ter um único posto fronteiriço entre os países – se tivéssemos uma infraestrutura forte como essa, isso ajudaria a facilitar o comércio”, disse Mohammed Abdiker, chefe de gabinete da Organização Internacional para as Migrações (OIM).

Abdiker apontou a vontade política como uma condição essencial para quaisquer conquistas potenciais nesta área. “Todos devemos trabalhar juntos, defendendo junto dos nossos governos a importância da circulação de bens e pessoas para uma gestão mais integrada das nossas fronteiras”, exortou. “Não só para os direitos aduaneiros, mas também para a ciência e a tecnologia”, acrescentou.

A Organização Internacional para as Migrações já tinha trabalhado anteriormente num projeto para um posto fronteiriço único entre a República Democrática do Congo e o Ruanda. “Funcionou por um tempo. Agora, iniciámos outro projeto semelhante com o Banco Africano de Desenvolvimento entre a República Centro-Africana e os Camarões, que está a melhorar o comércio transfronteiriço”, disse Abdiker.

Em janeiro de 2021, a União Africana lançou a Zona de Comércio Livre Continental Africana (AfCFTA) para aumentar o comércio intra-africano e estimular o desenvolvimento inclusivo e sustentável na indústria, infraestrutura e agricultura. Em janeiro deste ano, 49 países ratificaram o acordo, criando um mercado potencial de 1,3 mil milhões de pessoas. 

O Grupo Banco Africano de Desenvolvimento apoia ativamente esta iniciativa, financiando projetos para estabelecer postos fronteiriços únicos, que são centros de facilitação do comércio concebidos para simplificar e acelerar os procedimentos de desalfandegamento e controlo fronteiriço entre países do continente. O projeto Posto Fronteiriço Único levou, nomeadamente, ao estabelecimento de um posto de controlo único entre a Tanzânia e o Quénia (http://apo-opa.co/4o9jyk5). Além disso, o Fundo Africano de Desenvolvimento, a janela de empréstimos concessionais do Grupo Banco, contribuiu para o estabelecimento de um posto de controlo conjunto entre o Benim e o Togo (http://apo-opa.co/4o3PeY0). 

“Além de termos um posto fronteiriço único em cada uma das nossas fronteiras, vamos precisar de digitalizar os serviços fronteiriço”», observou Magdalene Dagoseh, Ministra do Comércio e Indústria da Libéria. “Esta é uma solução para controlar não só a circulação de pessoas, mas também de mercadorias comerciais. Ao digitalizar os vários pontos fronteiriços, podemos combater a corrupção – sabemos quantas pessoas saíram ou entraram, e isso evita outros problemas”, explicou.

Ziad Hamoui, presidente da Borderless Alliance, uma iniciativa lançada em 2012 por atores do setor privado da África Ocidental, apelou ao envolvimento da sociedade civil na conceção de políticas públicas, a fim de encontrar soluções para melhorar a circulação de pessoas e mercadorias através das fronteiras. “Existe o comércio formal, mas também o comércio informal, para não falar do comércio ilícito e do contrabando”, afirmou. “Hoje, o volume de comércio no setor informal é maior do que no setor formal. Portanto, se não soubermos o que está a acontecer nas fronteiras, não saberemos como gerir a situação”, alertou.

O Fórum Africano sobre Resiliência, organizado a cada dois anos pelo Grupo Banco Africano de Desenvolvimento, reúne decisores políticos e profissionais da área humanitária, de desenvolvimento e de paz para explorar estratégias para ampliar os esforços de prevenção e estimular investimentos na construção da paz em todo o continente.

Distribuído pelo Grupo APO para African Development Bank Group (AfDB).

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SA welcomes progress towards Gaza peace agreement

Source: Government of South Africa

Sunday, October 5, 2025

The South African government has noted the recent developments intended to achieve a ceasefire and peace for Gaza and the region.

In a statement on Saturday, the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) said the developments towards peace have the potential to alleviate profound human suffering and build much-needed confidence.

“We welcome the decision by Hamas to release all Israeli hostages and its stated readiness for further engagement. This decision must be met with reciprocal action by the State of Israel. 

“Such reciprocal measures will be a confidence building measure for de-escalation and the restoration of trust. They represent a critical opportunity to uphold universal human dignity and build a foundation for a just and durable peace.

“We therefore emphasise that the release of Palestinian political prisoners, including children, and the abductees seized from the humanitarian flotilla must be urgently addressed,” DIRCO said.

South Africa has asserted that a lasting peace cannot be built upon the suppression of a people’s fundamental human rights. 

“We urge all parties to transcend this cycle of confrontation and address the root causes of the conflict. This necessitates an immediate and permanent ceasefire, alongside a definitive political process that realizes the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people to self- determination and statehood. This is in line with relevant United Nations resolutions.

“Guided by a commitment to a rules-based international order founded on international law, South Africa stands ready to support all genuine inclusive efforts aimed at achieving this definitive and peaceful resolution,” DIRCO said. – SAnews.gov.za

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Government reiterates commitment to provide access to water

Source: Government of South Africa

Sunday, October 5, 2025

The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) has reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that all South Africans have access to sustainable water and sanitation services.

Addressing the Commission on Policy Review and Legislative Reforms, the department’s Deputy Director-General Dr Risimati Mathye emphasised that water is not only a basic human right but the cornerstone of health, dignity and economic growth, which must therefore be managed and delivered with long-term sustainability in mind.

The two-day gathering brought together leaders, policymakers, and stakeholders to reflect on the past 25 years of democratic local government and to chart an agenda for the next 25 years. 

“The department remains steadfast in its mission to close existing service gaps while preparing for the future. By working together with municipalities, business and communities, we can ensure that every drop counts and that no South African is left behind when it comes to access to water and sanitation,” Mathye said on Friday in Midrand.

He outlined the department’s plans which include the professionalisation of local government, legislative reforms to strengthen oversight, the establishment of an independent water sector regulator and the development of a national water action plan. 

These measures will be complemented by Phase 2 of Operation Vulindlela, which focuses on accelerating structural reforms to drive sustainable and inclusive growth. 

Operation Vulindlela was established in October 2020 as a joint initiative of the Presidency and National Treasury.

Within the water and sanitation sector, Phase 2 seeks to streamline regulatory processes, enhance infrastructure investment through public-private collaboration, and establish efficient institutions such as the National Water Resources Infrastructure Agency (NWRIA) and Catchment Management Agencies (CMAs). 

These reforms are designed to improve efficiency, ensure better management of water resources and secure long-term water sustainability for all. – SAnews.gov.za

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World’s first known butt-drag fossil trace was left by a rock hyrax in South Africa 126,000 years ago

Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Charles Helm, Research Associate, African Centre for Coastal Palaeoscience, Nelson Mandela University

Rock hyraxes, known in southern Africa more often as “dassies”, are furry, thickset creatures with short legs and no discernible tails. They spend much of their time sunning themselves on rocky outcrops.

Another thing they sometimes do is drag their butts along the ground. Dog owners know that this behaviour can be a sign of parasitic infections; in hyraxes the reason seems to be less clear, but this action leaves distinctive traces in sandy areas.

A rock hyrax urinating beside a collection of droppings. Mathilde Stuart, Author provided (no reuse)

Traces and tracks – ancient, fossilised ones – are what we study at the African Centre for Coastal Palaeoscience through the Cape south coast ichnology project. Over the past few decades, we have found almost 400 vertebrate tracksites on this coast, some as old as 400,000 years, in cemented dunes known as aeolianites from the Pleistocene epoch. This epoch lasted from about 2.58 million years ago to about 11,700 years ago.

We’re building up a picture of the environment during that period and how the animals and plants of that time lived.

Among our latest finds are two fossilised traces that appear to have been made by rock hyraxes long ago. One is a tracksite and the other is a butt-drag impression with what may be a fossilised dropping in it.

The probable tracksite was brought to our attention from a site near Walker Bay on the Cape south coast by an ardent tracker, Mike Fabricius. It is around 76,000 years old. We found the probable butt-drag impression east of Still Bay on the same coast, and it is most likely around 126,000 years old.

The butt-drag impression is the first fossil of its kind to be described from anywhere in the world. In addition, these are the only possible fossilised hyrax tracks ever to be identified. In the world of palaeontology, anything this unusual is important and we feel privileged to be able to interpret them.

Interpreting the drag mark

Dating on our sites has been done through a technique known as optically stimulated luminescence, which works by analysing when materials like sand were last exposed to light.

The butt-drag impression is 95cm long and 13cm wide. It contains five parallel striations. Its outer margins are slightly raised, and within it there is a 2cm-high raised feature, 10cm by 9cm. Clearly something was dragged across the surface when it consisted of loose sand.

3D photogrammetry model of the probable hyrax butt-drag trace; the feature to the right of centre is interpreted as a probable coprolite. Charles Helm, Author provided (no reuse)

We considered possible causes other than hyrax buttocks. These included a leopard or an ancestral human dragging prey, or perhaps an elephant dragging its trunk. Firstly, however, these would be expected to leave tracks, and secondly in such interpretations the raised feature could not be explained.

But if it was a hyrax, it would make sense, because the buttock trace would have come after the tracks and wiped them out. And the raised feature might be a coprolite: a fused fossilised mass of hyrax droppings.

Rock hyrax dragging its buttocks. Video courtesy Mathilde Stuart.

Old dung and urine

Rock hyraxes leave much more than just tracks and butt-drag traces. Because they prefer rocky areas, their tracks are not often found, but they polish rock surfaces to a shiny finish. This is similar to what buffalo on the North American prairie do, creating “buffalo rubbing stones”.

A hyrax positioned above a few droppings and an accumulation of urolite, formed from cemented urine. It can be regarded as a trace fossil. Mathilde Stuart, Author provided (no reuse)

Hyraxes also leave deposits of urine and dung. Urea and electrolytes are concentrated in their urine, and they excrete large amounts of calcium carbonate. This becomes cemented and forms extensive whitish deposits on rock surfaces. Due to their communal habits, hyraxes often urinate in the same preferred localities over multiple generations.

Their urine and dung often mix to form a substance known as hyraceum – a rock-like mass that can accumulate into extensive, dark, tarry deposits. Hyraceum has been used as a traditional medication to treat a variety of ailments, including epilepsy, and for gynaecological purposes.

A hyrax skull on top of an accumulation of hyraceum, formed from a fusion of hyrax urine and droppings. Lynne Quick, Author provided (no reuse)

Hyraceum may be tens of thousands of years old, and can be regarded as a threatened, non-renewable resource. The middens, being sensitive to environmental changes and containing fossil pollen and other evidence of ancient life, form valuable natural archives for interpreting past climates, vegetation and ecology.

Thinking of hyraceum as a trace fossil, something which apparently has not been done before, can help in the protection of this underappreciated resource.

Urolite from cemented hyrax urine, which can be regarded as a trace fossil, covers granite surfaces. Mathilde Stuart, Author provided (no reuse)

Although fossilised urine is globally uncommon, there is a word to describe it: “urolite”, to distinguish it from “coprolite” (fossilised poop). It seems that hyraxes contribute the lion’s share of the world’s urolite. At palaeontology conferences, students can be seen sporting T-shirts that brazenly state: “coprolite happens”. In southern Africa, a more appropriate term might be “urolite happens”.

Through appreciating the importance of butt-drag impressions, urolites, coprolites and hyraceum, and learning about the environment of rock hyraxes and other animals during the Pleistocene, we will never view these endearing creatures in the same light again.

Mathilde Stuart contributed to this research.

– World’s first known butt-drag fossil trace was left by a rock hyrax in South Africa 126,000 years ago
– https://theconversation.com/worlds-first-known-butt-drag-fossil-trace-was-left-by-a-rock-hyrax-in-south-africa-126-000-years-ago-264633

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Universities can turn AI from a threat to an opportunity by teaching critical thinking

Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Anitia Lubbe, Associate Professor, North-West University

Across universities worldwide, a quiet revolution is underway. Generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools such as ChatGPT, Copilot, DeepSeek and Gemini are being used to produce essays, summarise readings, and even conduct complex assignments.

Generative artificial intelligence is a kind of AI that can handle a variety of creative tasks in diverse domains, such as arts, music and education.

For many university teachers, this raises alarm bells about plagiarism and integrity. While some institutions have rushed to restrict or support AI use, others are still unsure how to respond.

But focusing only on policing misses a bigger issue: whether students are really learning. As an education researcher, I’m interested in the topic of how students learn. My colleagues and I recently explored the role AI could play in learning – if universities tried a new way of assessing students.

We found that many traditional forms of assessment in universities remain focused on memorisation and rote learning. These are exactly the tasks that AI performs best.

We argue that it’s time to reconsider what students should be learning. This should include the ability to evaluate and analyse AI-created text. That’s a skill which is essential for critical thinking.

If that ability is what universities teach and look for in a student, AI will be an opportunity and not a threat.

We’ve suggested some ways that universities can use AI to teach and assess what students really need to know.

Reviewing studies of AI

Universities are under pressure to prepare graduates who are more than just knowledgeable. They need to be self-directed, lifelong learners who are independent, critical thinkers and can solve complex problems. Employers and societies demand graduates who can evaluate information and make sound judgements in a rapidly changing world.

Yet assessment (testing what students know and can do) tends to focus on more basic thinking skills.

Our research took the form of a conceptual literature review, analysing peer-reviewed studies published since the release of the AI tool ChatGPT in late 2022. We examined how generative AI is already being used in higher education, its impact on assessment, and how these practices align (or fail to align) with Bloom’s taxonomy.

Bloom’s taxonomy is a framework widely used in education. It organises cognitive (thinking) skills into levels, from basic (remembering and understanding), to advanced (creating and evaluating).

Several key patterns emerged from our analysis:

Firstly, AI excels at lower-level tasks. Studies show that AI is strong in remembering and understanding. It can generate multiple-choice questions, definitions, or surface explanations quickly and often with high accuracy.

Secondly, AI struggles with higher-order thinking. At the levels of evaluating and creating, its effectiveness drops. For instance, while AI can draft a business plan or a healthcare policy outline, it often lacks contextual nuance, critical judgement and originality.

Thirdly, the role of university teachers is changing. Instead of spending hours designing and grading lower-level assessments, they can now focus on scaffolding tasks that AI cannot master alone, thus promoting analysis, creativity and self-directed learning skills. Self-directed learning is defined as “a process where individuals take initiative to diagnose their learning needs, set learning goals, find resources, choose and implement strategies, and evaluate their outcomes, with or without assistance from others.”

Lastly, the opportunities AI presents seem to outweigh the threats. While concerns about cheating remain real, many studies highlight AI’s potential to become a learning partner. Used well, it can help generate practice questions, provide feedback, and stimulate dialogue (if students are guided to critically engage with its outputs).

All these challenges prompt universities to move beyond “knowledge checks” and invest in assessments that not only measure deeper learning, but promote it as well.

How to promote critical thinking

So how can universities move forward? Our study points to several clear actions:

  • Redesign assessments for higher-order thinking skills: Instead of relying on tasks that AI can complete, university teachers should design authentic, context-rich assessments. For example, using case studies, portfolios, debates, and projects grounded in local realities.

  • Use AI as a partner, not a threat: Students can be asked to critique AI-generated responses, identify gaps, or adapt them for real-world use. This transforms AI into a tool for practising the ability to analyse and evaluate.

  • Build assessment literacy among university teachers: University teachers need support and training to create AI-integrated assessments.

  • Promote AI fluency and ethical use: Students must learn not just how to use AI, but how to question it. They must understand its limitations, biases and potential pitfalls. Students should be made aware that transparency in disclosing AI use can support academic integrity.

  • Encourage the development of self-directed learning skills: AI should not replace the student’s effort, but rather support their learning journey. Hence, designing assessment tasks that foster goal-setting, reflection and peer dialogue is crucial for developing lifelong learning habits.

By fostering critical thinking and embracing AI as a tool, universities can turn disruption into opportunity. The goal is not to produce graduates who compete with machines, but to cultivate independent thinkers who can do what machines cannot: reflect, judge, and create meaning. Assessment in the age of AI could become a powerful force for cultivating the kind of graduates our world needs.

– Universities can turn AI from a threat to an opportunity by teaching critical thinking
– https://theconversation.com/universities-can-turn-ai-from-a-threat-to-an-opportunity-by-teaching-critical-thinking-266187