Indigenous tracking experts from the Ju/’hoansi group of the San people collaborated with archaeologist Andreas Pastoors to analyze rock art in western Namibia's Doro! Nawas Mountains, dating back to the first millennium B.C. The engravings, created by hunter-gatherers, feature a variety of animal tracks and human footprints, with a greater diversity of species represented in tracks than in profile views. The trackers could identify tracks of different ages and sexes, such as young male bushpigs and older female leopards.

Bishops worldwide have responded to the Vatican's document 'Fiducia Supplicans' on blessings for couples in irregular relationships, including same-sex couples. Reactions vary, with some bishops welcoming the document's pastoral approach while others express concerns about its ambiguity and potential for misinterpretation. Cardinal Víctor Fernández, the document's chief author, emphasizes that it does not change the Church's teaching on marriage. Responses from different regions highlight diverse interpretations and the need for clarity, with some African and Eastern European bishops particularly critical. The document aims to balance pastoral care with doctrinal integrity, reflecting Pope Francis's approach to inclusivity without altering core teachings.

South Africa's bishops, through the Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference and its Justice and Peace Commission, have released a Voter Education Manual to promote political engagement and combat voter apathy ahead of the 2024 elections. The manual emphasizes the importance of the electoral process and Catholic Social Teaching on democracy and voting rights. Bishop Thulani Mbuyisa highlighted the need for voter participation amidst the country's economic and political challenges. The initiative includes prayer intercessions for honest and diligent election preparations by the Independent Electoral Commission.

South Africa’s National Research Foundation has initiated a 12-country research programme to examine the wellbeing of young people in the Global South, focusing on issues such as unemployment, poverty, climate change, and poor education. The programme will be officially launched on 8 December at the Science Forum South Africa in Pretoria.

The Global Vaccine Alliance has approved a $1 billion financing mechanism to support Africa's vaccine manufacturing industry, aiming to produce 60% of its routine immunizations locally by 2040. The African Vaccine Manufacturing Accelerator was approved by the Gavi board on 7 December in Accra, Ghana, marking a significant step towards sustainable vaccine production on the continent.

South African financial services firm Absa has launched a three-year, R6 million chair in future energy in collaboration with the University of Witwatersrand Business School in Johannesburg. Announced on 7 December, the chair will study the impacts on energy systems of factors such as climate change and consumption patterns to understand, predict, and adapt to changes in energy supply and consumption.

South Africa’s science minister Blade Nzimande emphasized the crucial role of science in policy development during the launch of the Science Forum South Africa on 6 December. The forum, held at the CSIR International Convention Centre in Tshwane, gathers science stakeholders to showcase achievements and discuss common challenges.

Uganda’s chief science council has sparked outrage in the medical research community by suggesting that researchers have a legal duty to report offences under the country’s anti-homosexuality laws, even if it breaches confidentiality rules. This has raised concerns over the safety of researchers and study participants in Uganda. The article also covers a new executive appointment at the NRF and discusses the future of work in the Global South.

The Malaria Atlas Project, a global malaria database, is setting up a node in East Africa with a US$5 million grant to enhance its operations in malaria-endemic regions. The project, a World Health Organization Collaborating Centre in Geospatial Disease Modelling, is based at the Telethon Kids Institute at Perth Children’s Hospital in Australia.

The World Academy of Sciences in Trieste, Italy, announced the retirement of its executive director, Romain Murenzi, effective 30 November, after over a decade of service. Academy president Quarraisha Abdool Karim commended Murenzi's dedication. Atish Dabholkar will serve as interim director while the academy searches for a permanent replacement, with applications due by 3 January 2024. Murenzi will focus on research and teaching at Worcester Polytechnic Institute in the US, where his international experience is highly valued.