Events

As of 2022, it is estimated that more than 5 million people, approximately 9%) of South Africa’s population are aged 60 years. Notably, over 60% are females . The increase of the elderly has great impact on socio-economic factors such as access to health care, income, housing etc. The government introduced an Older Persons Act (2006) to establish a framework which aimed to empower, care and support older persons, while promoting their status, rights, wellbeing, safety and security. However, the government’s efforts to successfully design and facilitate support mechanisms for the elderly to live well and independently within the community have been rather slow.

It is on this basis that the panel discussion seeks to evaluate:
(i) the state of quality of life and well-being of the elderly in South Africa;
(ii) factors that contribute to poor health, quality of life and well-being of the elderly in South Africa (i.e. policy interventions, social and community environment, family circumstances etc.); and
(iii) provide recommendations on the roles that government, business, research institutions, civil society and the society should play in order to improve the ageing experience and quality of life of the elderly.

Given the commemoration of three decades of democracy, ASSAf seeks to explore the progress made in pursuit of transformation in various perspectives, such as the holistic inclusion of persons with disabilities and gender, the youth perspectives on democratic South Africa. A webinar series will be undertaken, focusing on evidence and lived experience concerning the advancement of equality and human dignity under the rising influence of polycrisis. As a young democracy, the series will emphasise the youth’s role as South Africa’s future custodians in overcoming inequality and socioeconomic constraints.

The Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf), in partnership with the Botswana Academy of Science (BAS), Kingdom of Eswatini Academy of Sciences (KEAS), Lesotho Academy of Science and Technology (LAST), the Academy of Science (TAS) in Malawi and Zimbabwe Academy of Sciences (ZAS) cordially invite you to a webinar a collaborative workshop on Democratising Knowledge through Open Science: A collaborative Workshop.

Ineffective chemicals management is a key driver of eutrophication, and the chemical-based control of invasive blooms affects the sustainability of water resources. Sustainable approaches for chemical usage and chemical waste management are needed to inform South Africa’s ambitions for sustainable water resources, human and environmental health.
The workshop seeks to explore current challenges and implementable solutions for chemicals waste management (mainly effluents) to contain the current extent of eutrophication (and water resource quality deterioration at large), and further explore sustainable approaches to manage (economically, socially, and ecologically) for eutrophication-driven blooms of invasive higher plant and algal species.