EDITORIAL | The rot runs deep: Gauteng Health’s dance of impunity betrays the people it is meant to serve

EDITORIAL | The rot runs deep: Gauteng Health’s dance of impunity betrays the people it is meant to serve

The courts have spoken. The health ombud has issued devastating reports. The Auditor-General has again put damning evidence on the table. Civil society has protested. Yet, the devastating crisis in Gauteng’s health system shows no sign of improvement.

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‘We can’t save them anymore’: Doctors raise alarm about crippling cuts at major KZN hospital

‘We can’t save them anymore’: Doctors raise alarm about crippling cuts at major KZN hospital

Doctors have blown the whistle about a crisis at one of KwaZulu-Natal’s most important public hospitals, saying it is functioning far under capacity due to a series of crippling cuts. Chris Bateman reports.

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For Professor Rachel Jewkes, blending research with activism is at the heart of her life’s work

For Professor Rachel Jewkes, blending research with activism is at the heart of her life’s work

From anti-apartheid activist to top rated researcher, Professor Rachel Jewkes has spent her career trying to make the world a better place for women. Elri Voigt spoke to her about her journey to South Africa from the United Kingdom and how she became one of the country’s leading researchers on gender-based violence.

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Stateless in SA: Primrose Modisane’s years-long struggle for legal recognition

Stateless in SA: Primrose Modisane’s years-long struggle for legal recognition

When South Africans get caught up in the country’s often dysfunctional home affairs system, sometimes even DNA evidence isn’t enough to prove their citizenship. This can, among others, have consequences for people’s ability to access healthcare services. For foreign nationals, navigating the system can be even harder.

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Inside SA’s multi-million rand plan to fill US funding void

Inside SA’s multi-million rand plan to fill US funding void

In response to US funding cuts for South African health services and research projects, National Treasury has provided the National Department of Health with hundreds of millions of rands in emergency funds. Spotlight and GroundUp look at how precisely the government intends to spend this money.

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“I looked at those tiny feet”: How a Joburg mother’s journey helped thousands of children walk without pain

“I looked at those tiny feet”: How a Joburg mother’s journey helped thousands of children walk without pain

When Karen Mara Moss’ son was diagnosed with clubfoot, she travelled to the US in search of a life-changing treatment. She made a promise to bring it home and two decades on, her non-profit is at the heart of a remarkable success story.

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With a PhD at 74, this veteran nurse is still leading with grace and grit

With a PhD at 74, this veteran nurse is still leading with grace and grit

With humour, warmth and steely resolve, Princess Anne-Sheilah Makhado speaks to Biénne Huisman about her long journey as a nurse, of creating solutions in the public health system, and her burning passion for motivating women and girls to unlock their talents.

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SA’s doctor deal with Cuba is out of touch and out of time, critics say

SA’s doctor deal with Cuba is out of touch and out of time, critics say

The Nelson Mandela-Fidel Castro medical training programme has been controversial from the start. It’s had high points, low points and many say it should have an end point, writes Ufrieda Ho.

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IAS2025: Findings give hope for monthly HIV prevention pill

IAS2025: Findings give hope for monthly HIV prevention pill

An HIV prevention pill that could provide a month of protection per tablet has been given the green light to proceed to pivotal trials to test its efficacy. Elri Voigt reports on new findings on the pill that were presented at the International AIDS Conference.

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Saving mothers, shaping policy: Professor Susan Fawcus’ fight for mothers

Saving mothers, shaping policy: Professor Susan Fawcus’ fight for mothers

Over a long and distinguished career, Professor Susan Fawcus has become known for her work trying to reduce the deaths of mothers and babies in South Africa. In her home in Cape Town, the soft-spoken champion for health equity chats with Spotlight about her journey as a researcher, doctor, and obstetrician, and shares her fears of rising maternal mortality in an age of austerity.

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After US funding cuts, Mozambican children died: Who bears responsibility?

After US funding cuts, Mozambican children died: Who bears responsibility?

Spotlight and GroundUp published a two-part exposé showing how US aid cuts led to the deaths of children in Mozambique. Here, Jesse Copelyn considers what led to this tragedy and who should bear responsibility for it.

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Francois Venter | Slow motion denialism: Our leaders are allowing the HIV response to collapse

Francois Venter | Slow motion denialism: Our leaders are allowing the HIV response to collapse

South Africa is staging a sequel to Mbeki-era denialism, only this time, the science, solutions, and costs are clearer, argues Professor Francois Venter.

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