scientific

South Africa’s image as a globally competitive nation has received a major boost from its successful participation in the Shanghai Expo, the government said.
• SA opens at 2010 Expo Shanghai

South Africa's Council for Scientific and Industrial Research has developed an innovative, affordable hand-washing device to enable poor communities to combat life-threatening water-borne diseases with minimal water usage.

The Sharklife organisation works to address the exploitation of shark populations and other ocean fish species in South Africa, and to boost awareness of the need to conserve vulnerable fish species through education.
• SA researcher to help save sharks

The South African government has taken the tough decision to cut its losses and cancel further investment in the Pebble Bed Modular Reactor project. While technologically sound, and potentially ideal for developing countries, the PBMR has been unable to secure sufficient investment to keep it going.

In May five Eastern black rhinos were released into Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park after a lengthy stay in South Africa, where they were being kept safe from poachers.
• Rhinos return to Uganda

On 29 May South Africa officially handed over the brand new library for the Timbuktu Manuscripts to the Malian government. South Africa was instrumental in the building of the facility and the training of archival staff.
• Saving priceless African history

South Africa has handed over a new library and archives building to house the ancient Mali manuscripts at the Ahmed Baba Institute of Higher Learning and Islamic Research in the historic city of Timbuktu.

South Africa’s Technology Innovation Agency has become the world’s first governmental body to join the Pool for Open Innovation against Neglected Tropical Diseases.
• Research into tropical diseases

The University of Cape Town's infectious disease unit has launched an immunisation advocacy programme called Vaccines for Africa, with the ultimate goal of eradicating vaccine-preventable disease on the continent.

South Africa has unveiled a new, state-of-the-art X-band antenna at its Satellite Applications Centre north-west of Johannesburg. The R22-million antenna will enable the centre to track more earth observation satellites and increase its archive of earth observation data.