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Caxton aids TB research

Scientists at UCT are exploring many avenues as they seek out treatments for tuberculosis and other diseases. In a more recent project, doctoral candidate Zoleka Skepu and master's student Andile Ngwane of the Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences (CLS) are doing work on colloidal silver - a water-based solution containing minute amounts of sub-microscopic silver particles - that is thought to have powerful antibacterial and preventative capabilities against all manner of infections. The study forms part of broader research in the department into the antimicrobial properties of indigenous plants, led by Prof Peter Folb. Recently, CLS received R420 000 from Caxton and the CTP Group towards the colloidal-silver research. Dr Frederik van Zyl Slabbert, chairperson at Caxton, visited the researchers at UCT to hand over the welcome award.

Of transformation and vuvuzelas

Following heated discussion in Monday Paper and elsewhere, the Centre for African Studies (CAS) is hosting a new forum on UCT Transformation: Rituals and Symbols. The title of the first in a series of lunch-time discussions is Graduation: Singing the anthem? Blowing vuvuzelas? Flying the flag? This takes place in the CAS Gallery on Tuesday, August 23, between 13h00 and 14h00. CAS director, Prof Brenda Cooper, will chair the forum while speakers Prof Jeremy Seekings (politics and sociology), Chupe Serote (PhD candidate in sociology) and Nqobizitha Mlilo (SRC president) will kick off discussions. For more information, contact Monique Whitaker at 650 2310 or whitaker@humanities.uct.ac.za.