George FR Ellis ...

... a leading theoretical cosmologist renowned for his bold and innovative contributions to the dialogue at the frontier between science and religion, has won the 2004 Templeton Prize. It is his important contributions to the dialogue at the frontier between theology and science, however, that led to his being named the 34th Templeton Prize laureate.

Specifically, prof Ellis has advocated balancing the rationality of evidence-based science with faith and hope, a view shaped in part by his first-hand experiences in South Africa as it peacefully transformed from apartheid to a multiracial democracy without succumbing to racial civil war.

Click here to read more about prof Ellis in the EurekAlert

Since the rise of democracy in South Africa, Ellis has devoted much of his energy to developing the nation's social, political, cultural and educational future, particularly in making maths and science education more broadly available to his fellow citizens. He has plans to use part of prize money to help fight poverty in South Africa.

All those involved in Virgin Testing in modern day South Africa ...

One of them is Mpumalanga's provincial Department of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture which is hosting an event for young girls from Mpumalanga and neighbouring Swaziland who are expected to undergo virginity tests. Apparently this African tradition is seen by many as the answer to the scourge of AIDS and the spread of teenage pregnancies.

This is doubtful when one takes a closer look at the “testing ritual”. Girls between the age of seven and 26 lie on a mat in front of the woman doing the test. The test is often carried out with bare hands and the tester seldom washes them. Young women who pass the test are awarded certificates and given gifts, and get white stars pasted or painted on their foreheads.

Those who oppose these tests say it overlooks “half of the heterosexual equation” and places sole responsibility for sexual behaviour on women in a society where women have little control over their own sexuality.

We were wondering whether these tests would eliminate another ritual, that
of raping a virgin in order to be cured of AIDS, now that these virgins have been clearly marked.

This week's popular and sought-after virtual LitNet Dopper Joris Oscar has been snatched up by:

And the notorious and infamous virtual LitNet Dopper Goris Oscar goes to:

George FR Ellis ...

All those involved in Virgin Testing in modern day South Africa ...