In a remarkable contribution to science and biodiversity, six researchers at the National Museum have described 62 new species over the past five years. This is according to results published in the Five-Year Strategic Plan End Term Report for the period ending March 2025.

According to Sharon Snell, CEO of the Museum, these new species have all been described in leading international scientific journals. These discoveries highlight both the richness of our natural heritage and the importance of museum collections. Many of the new species were described following recent field expeditions, but others came to light while curating old museum specimens, some of which were collected many decades ago.

As we prepare to celebrate Peer Review Week later this month, news broke about an artificial intelligence (AI) system that can conduct the full cycle of scientific experimentation and produce research papers. The AI Scientist proposition is that its research process emulates the scientific process, and that its AI can run on an open-ended loop whereby it uses its previous ideas and feedback received, to improve and create better ideas.

#30yearsofDemocracy l #Freedom l #censorship

What should a black artist do when he wanted to write a song about how much he missed Nelson Mandela, but he couldn’t because it was the 1980s and apartheid censorship was at its peak? A time when the mere mention of the Black Pimpernel would result in apartheid’s censors breaking out in a red rash and either banning your song or inviting you for a chat in a soundproof room at the top floor of John Vorster Square. Faced with these dire scenarios, musician Sello ‘Chicco’ Twala decided to create an elaborate ruse with his song lyrics, a ruse worthy of the big man, Nelson Mandela, himself.

#30yearsofDemocracy l #Freedom l #HumanRights

At the height of apartheid, South African radio DJs were playing a song, which included instrumentals of Nkosi Sikelel’ iAfrika, the forbidden anthem of the then banned African National Congress. Apartheid South Africa enjoyed this protest song so much, that it was number one for two weeks on Radio Five, a government radio station! It seemed that while the people were rocking to Weeping, the grey censor men were sleeping.

Groot Constantia, a vineyard which was founded in 1685, is the oldest wine brand established in South Africa. This historic enterprise has operated successfully for over three centuries in South Africa and it is well known internationally. The company has a strong identity; its logo depicts the iconic old colonial Cape Dutch gabled homestead, which is easily recognisable.