Cape Town

An engineering professor in South Africa challenged his students to come up with a way to prevent devastating shack fires that displace thousands. One of them came up with this fire detector, Lumkani, that can alert a neighborhood.

A little blue box that might help save thousands of homes in South Africa

A one-time engineering student has created a battery-operated device that provides a community-wide alert for fire in South African townships.

A little blue box that might help save thousands of homes in South Africa
Bahle

When graduating from high school, even top students need guidance

When graduating from high school, even top students need guidance
Sive (SEE-vay), a South African high school student, enjoys his new couch.

A South African teen receives an unexpected gift from America

A South African teen receives an unexpected gift from America
School Year Blog: Why South African students are afraid to cut class

School Year Blog: Why South African students are afraid to cut class

School Year Blog: Why South African students are afraid to cut class
Students at COSAT.

These South African girls are inspired by Malala, even without a Nobel Prize

These South African girls are inspired by Malala, even without a Nobel Prize
Tandie chats with The World's audience on Facebook.

South African teen explains what it's like to be kind of famous in America

Anders Kelto talks to a South African high school student about her Facebook chat with World listeners.

South African teen explains what it's like to be kind of famous in America
Seniors pose at the COSAT prom

School Year Blog: Crashing the ultimate fashion show, a South African prom

I was told that proms are a big deal in South Africa -- particularly in low-income, black townships. But nothing could have prepared me for the fashion show I witnessed.

School Year Blog: Crashing the ultimate fashion show, a South African prom
Tandie all dressed up for the prom.

From the shacks to the prom, a South African girl’s night of glamour

See the makeover that transforms a poor and smart South African Cinderella into a beauty queen for a night. By day, she's a student in a remarkable science and tech high school that lifts kids from a poor township near Cape Town into a better life.

From the shacks to the prom, a South African girl’s night of glamour
Should South African High Schools Distribute Free Condoms?

School Year Blog: Should South African High Schools Distribute Free Condoms?

Schools are supposed to exercise 'universal precautions' to prevent transmission of HIV. Does that include giving out condoms?

School Year Blog: Should South African High Schools Distribute Free Condoms?
The World

Family Planning Series Video: Beauty's Children

Beauty Sqalane lives outside Cape Town, South Africa. When she learned she could not get pregnant, she was devastated. Then she found a way to bring children into her life.

Family Planning Series Video: Beauty's Children
Students at COSAT.

A year at a South African high school

In poor communities around the world, many kids fail at school. But some succeed. How? What obstacles do students who live in poverty face, and how do they overcome them? How do some public schools give kids a great education, despite limited resources?

A year at a South African high school
The World

Video: Learning to Succeed

Students at the Centre of Science and Technology in Cape Town, South Africa, have high hopes: to become doctors and engineers, win top awards, and lift their families out of poverty.

Video: Learning to Succeed