Richards Bay becomes a potential energy hub for Africa

Imagine a place where water opens up instead of roads in the morning, and children need small wooden boats, not buses or bicycles, to get to school. In the Lagos Lagoon area, Nigeria's largest economic center, right beneath the famous Third Mainland Bridge, lies an amazing world that the whole world calls the 'Venice of Africa.'

This is Makoko—a settlement entirely built on wooden stilts over the water. Here, water serves as the road, and the boat is life itself, while the dwellings standing on these stilts constitute the entire human world. This settlement, located at the mouth of the Lagos Lagoon, has a history spanning about the 18th and 19th centuries.

It was originally founded by fishermen from the 'Egun' and 'Ijaw' tribes, who arrived from the Kingdom of Benin and the coastal areas of Nigeria. Approximately one-third of the settlement rests on oak stilts deeply submerged in the Atlantic Ocean. Millions of people live in this floating community, which possesses its own autonomous social structure governed by traditional local leaders.

Life in Makoko revolves around water and fish. Fishing is the main driver of the economy. In the morning, men go out onto the open water in large boats. When they return, women process the fish, selling it fresh or drying it in wooden crates for transport to local markets.

The lifestyle here is unique: women sell vegetables, fresh food, drinking water, and household goods on small boats. Shops, hairdressers, churches, and mosques are also located on the water. Children grow up here by swimming, mastering boat handling independently by the age of five or six.

Despite the community being self-sufficient despite acute resource shortages, a bitter truth lies behind this unusual splendor. A lack of basic amenities is acutely felt in Makoko. Studies show that piped clean water is available in only 10% of homes; the remaining 90% of the population must buy clean drinking water at high cost and transport it by boat. Since there is no sewage or waste disposal system, all waste flows directly into the lagoon, leading to water pollution and the prevalence of diseases such as diarrhea and malaria among children.

Initially, Makoko was a quiet and clean fishing village, but with Lagos' transformation into a metropolis, population pressure has sharply increased. Today, due to global warming, dangerous floods occur frequently here. On the other hand, due to its prestigious location, the settlement is threatened with demolition due to real estate and government programs. Thousands of residents have been forced to leave their homes as a result of demolition campaigns conducted in 2012 and recently in January 2026.

There are five important lessons to be drawn from this situation. Firstly, the art of building houses and floating structures on wooden stilts presents an excellent model for coastal cities worldwide struggling with sea-level rise and global warming. Secondly, the ability of an entire settlement to function autonomously and self-sufficiently for decades despite the lack of state aid and modern resources is an example of human will. Thirdly, without proper waste management and sewage systems, beautiful housing on the water can become a hotbed of serious diseases. The fourth lesson is that the children and residents of Makoko learn to cope with disasters and water from an early age, demonstrating that humans can find a way in any situation. Finally, demolishing traditional water communities for modern development is not a solution; they should be integrated into modern urban planning.

Despite all the difficulties, the residents of Makoko possess centuries of experience in harmonious coexistence with water. The 'Makoko Floating School,' designed by renowned architect Kunle Adeyemi, has become a revolutionary example of how tradition and modernity can create a safe foundation for the future.

Makoko is not just slums on wooden stilts; it is a living example of the human spirit that continues to smile even under adverse conditions. While the modern world fears rising sea levels, the residents of Makoko have lived for centuries considering water their friend. Now, the Nigerian government and the global community face a major question: will this unique aquatic culture be swallowed by the mad race for development, or will it be given the opportunity to live and thrive with respect?

South Africa will demonstrate its growing capabilities in science, technology, and innovation at the 19th Putian Innovation Forum, which will take place in Shanghai, China, from September 11 to 14. The South African delegation will be led by the Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Professor Blade Nzimande.

The Chinese Ministry of Science and Technology and the Science and Technology Commission of the Shanghai municipality have designated South Africa as a guest country, placing the nation at the center of one of China's leading international platforms for scientific and innovation cooperation.

The 2026 Forum will focus on the theme 'Innovation Exchange and Shaping the Future: The Mission of the Global Scientific and Technological Community in the Context of a New Round of Scientific and Technological Revolution.' It will bring together politicians, researchers, innovators, and industry leaders to discuss emerging technologies and global challenges.

Nzimande noted that this recognition provides South Africa with an important opportunity to present its scientific achievements while strengthening cooperation in science, technology, and innovation with China, Africa, and the broader Global South.

The South African delegation will participate in plenary and ministerial discussions, thematic sessions, and technology scouting and transfer events. A specially designated national pavilion will showcase the research and development of South African universities, scientific councils, research institutes, and startups.

Key areas of the exhibition will include innovations in healthcare, space science and technology, artificial intelligence, green hydrogen, advanced manufacturing, mining industry innovations, and sustainable development.

The represented institutions include the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, the Agency for Technological Innovation, the University of Cape Town, the University of the Witwatersrand, the South African Medical Research Council, and the South African National Space Agency.

South Africa's participation comes against the backdrop of deepening bilateral relations with China following the upgrading of ties in 2024 to a comprehensive strategic partnership for a new era. This also coincides with the 28th anniversary of diplomatic relations and the Year of People-to-People Exchange between China and Africa.

The forum is expected to create new opportunities for joint research, technology transfer, skills development, and innovation partnerships between Chinese and South African institutions. South Africa's presence underscores the growing role of science, technology, and innovation in strengthening bilateral cooperation and advancing common development priorities within the Global South.

V&A Waterfront plans a large-scale development in the Granger Bay area, intended to introduce affordable housing into one of Cape Town's most sought-after coastal districts. According to News24, this project could provide around 1,000 affordable housing options for people who find it difficult to afford living near their workplaces.

The City of Cape Town has approved the construction, setting a legal requirement to allocate 10% of the residential area for affordable housing.

New Coastal Promenade

This development is part of a multi-billion rand long-term project that encompasses residential, commercial, and hotel facilities, as well as public spaces and coastal infrastructure. The plans involve draining approximately 3.2 hectares of land from Table Bay, as well as creating coastal pedestrian walkways and other public amenities.

V&A Waterfront reports that the total cost of the project will be around 20 billion rand and its implementation will take between 15 and 20 years. The company states on its website that during this period, the project will bring a new stretch of Atlantic coastline to the city, including new homes, hotels, jobs, public spaces, and a protected bay for swimming, kayaking, and boating.

A 540-meter sea wall will be constructed as part of the project to protect the coastline, and the new coastal promenade will connect V&A directly to the Sea Point promenade.

This construction takes place against the backdrop of access to well-located land and affordable housing remaining a serious issue in Cape Town. In July, the Constitutional Court ruled that the Western Cape government acted unlawfully in selling the Tafelberg property in Sea Point. The court found that the province failed to meet its co-management obligations because it did not properly involve the Minister of Human Settlements before deciding to dispose of state property. Furthermore, the court determined that the province had incorrectly classified this land as surplus.