The question of whether or not to add sugar to umphokoqo and amasi sparks lively discussions among South Africans, sometimes leading to family arguments. For many residents of South Africa, this dish is not just food, but a symbol of comfort, childhood, and home.
Umphokoqo is made by mixing cornmeal crumbs (ufutu) with thick fermented milk (amasi). It is a simple, hearty dish deeply rooted in the traditions of many households across generations.
However, when this question is posed to a group of South Africans, it quickly becomes evident that there are two opposing camps: whether to add sugar or consume the dish in its natural state.
Traditionalists consider the addition of sugar almost unacceptable. They argue that the slightly tart taste of amasi gives the dish special value. The natural creaminess pairs perfectly with the crumbly maize meal, creating an earthy, tangy flavor that requires no additional additions.
Many from this group grew up watching their parents and grandparents prepare the dish exactly this way, making the recipe almost sacred. In their view, sugar masks the authentic taste and turns a heritage dish into a dessert. Remarks like, 'Amasi is perfect as it is' or 'If you need sugar, you are eating it wrong' are often heard.
Another group cannot imagine a serving without a generous sprinkling of sugar. For them, sweetness softens the tartness of amasi, achieving an ideal balance of flavors. Some prefer just a teaspoon, while others openly admit to pouring sugar until every bite reminds them of childhood.
These people often refer to memories of after-school meals prepared by mothers or grandmothers, arguing that culinary memories are just as important as the recipes themselves. Their arguments include claims that 'sweet and sour go well together' and that it is 'comfort food.'
Interestingly, the way umphokoqo is consumed is often determined by family traditions. One family may insist that sugar should never approach the bowl, while another considers it an essential ingredient. Some families even add a little fresh cream or serve the dish with roasted meat (inyama), while others serve it completely plain.
There is no single 'right' way; there is only the way that feels familiar.
Perhaps this is why umphokoqo remains such a beloved dish. It tells stories of rural kitchens, family gatherings, Sunday lunches, and recipes passed down through generations. The debate over sugar is not really about who is right or wrong, but rather about those small traditions that make each South African family unique.
Regardless of whether you are a staunch advocate for sugar, a proud representative of the no-sugar team, or secretly add sugar when no one is looking, most people agree on one thing: a bowl of cold amasi and freshly made umphokoqo is one of South Africa's greatest comfort foods. After all, the best recipe is the one that reminds you of home.
The Western Cape Province has become the first in South Africa to launch a public toxicology laboratory, achieving international accreditation.
The Department of Health's forensic toxicology laboratory in the Western Cape received ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation following an assessment conducted by the South African National Accreditation System (SANAS). This marks a significant step forward for forensic science in the country. The laboratory is located at the Observatory.
This accreditation covers methods for detecting carbon monoxide poisoning, as well as identifying and measuring drugs in forensic samples. These analyses are used in investigating fires, suspected poisonings, possible drug overdoses, and sudden or unexplained deaths.
Mireille Wenger, Minister of Health and Wellness for the Western Cape, noted that forensic toxicology can provide answers to families when the cause of death is not obvious. She emphasized that toxicology plays a vital role in uncovering circumstances in such cases.
Wenger stated that the accreditation guarantees independent confirmation that the toxicological data obtained by the unit meets internationally recognized standards. The results of these studies are used by forensic pathologists, police investigators, prosecutors, and courts in medico-legal and criminal investigations.
The forensic toxicology unit is part of the Provincial Department of Health and Wellness's Forensic Pathology Service and supports death investigations in the Western Cape. Toxicologists work directly within the Forensic Pathology Service, which has improved collaboration, increased testing reliability, and reduced turnaround times for results.
Although testing was conducted before receiving certification, the accreditation independently confirms that the laboratory's methods and quality control meet international requirements. Before accreditation, the method undergoes rigorous testing to determine its accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, and reliability. The laboratory also participates in international proficiency testing and conducts continuous quality assurance assessments.
Chief Forensic Toxicologist and Scientific Manager of the unit, Bronwen Davis, stated that the accreditation demonstrates a commitment to maintaining reliable services and continuously improving the laboratory's operations. She called this achievement a promise of quality and reliability, strengthening the Western Cape's healthcare system.
Wenger added that forensic pathology stands at the intersection of healthcare and the justice system. The work of scientists helps authorities determine causes of death, support investigations, and identify new public health threats, which is an important confirmation of the quality of forensic science in the Western Cape's public sector.
The organization Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has requested that Israel immediately release all health professionals who have been arbitrarily detained. MSF stated in a recently released statement that while they are deprived of their liberty, these professionals must be guaranteed access to appropriate medical care and dignified detention conditions.
Additionally, MSF criticized global leaders for failing to condemn Israel's actions in Palestine. The organization drew attention to the case of Husam Abu Safiya, director of Kamal Adwan Hospital, who has been in isolation for eighteen months. MSF pointed out that the allegations of torture suffered by him are part of a serious pattern perpetrated by Israeli authorities, who allegedly arrest and persecute health professionals throughout Palestine.
According to the organization Healthcare Workers Watch, 446 Palestinian health professionals have been detained by Israeli authorities since October 2023, with 95 of these individuals remaining imprisoned. Among those detained is Mohamed Obeid, an orthopedic surgeon from MSF, who has been held in Israel for over 600 days under extremely precarious conditions and without family contact.
The MSF statement also highlighted that since Israel's offensive in Gaza against the Hamas group, responsible for the terrorist attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023, more than 1,700 health professionals have been killed, including 15 members of MSF itself. Meanwhile, the Gaza Ministry of Health released an update on Monday, indicating a total of 73,283 deaths and 173,864 injuries due to the Israeli offensive in the territory.
This same tally includes 1,160 deaths resulting from attacks conducted by the Israeli Army since the ceasefire established in October 2025, as part of an agreement aimed at implementing the United States' proposal for the future of the Gaza Strip.
According to the latest bulletin released by the executive, based on data collected up to July 19, the number of Ebola-related deaths has risen to 967. The current recorded fatality rate is 39.9%.
During this period, 734 individuals are in isolation or hospitalization, while 469 people have recovered from the disease. Furthermore, the contact tracing rate reached 81.1%.
So far, five provinces in the Democratic Republic of Congo have been impacted by the Ebola epidemic: Ituri, considered the epicenter of the outbreak, along with North Kivu, South Kivu, Haut-Uele (located in the east), and Tshopo (located in the north-central).
The DRCongo Government stated that health teams maintain continuous surveillance, assistance, and contact monitoring operations to prevent the spread of the disease. Meanwhile, the Congolese National Institute of Public Health (INSP) issued an alert in the bulletin, indicating that the results obtained from contact follow-up are still insufficient, which requires reinforcement of surveillance.
The presented data points to 'continuous community transmission' and the recent geographical expansion of the outbreak, which, according to the INSP, highlights the need to maintain intensive interventions in the epicenter while carrying out preparation activities in adjacent provinces.
The epidemic, which was declared on May 15 in the province of Ituri—a border region with South Sudan and Uganda—has also expanded to Uganda. However, Uganda discharged the last hospitalized patient on Thursday after recording a total of 20 confirmed cases, 15 of which were classified as imported from the DRCongo, including two deaths. With this, Uganda began a 42-day countdown without new cases, a necessary step to declare the end of the outbreak.
The current epidemic is linked to the Bundibugyo strain, whose fatality rate varies between 30% and 50%. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), there is no authorized vaccine or specific treatment for this strain, and the WHO classifies the risk of the outbreak spreading in Sub-Saharan Africa as 'high', but 'low' globally.
This episode represents the third worst Ebola epidemic ever documented and is the 17th to affect the DRCongo. Comparatively, the previous epidemic in West Africa, which occurred between 2014 and 2016, resulted in approximately 11 thousand deaths and 28 thousand infections. The one that occurred in eastern Congo, between 2018 and 2020, caused 2,299 deaths and 3,481 cases.
The Ebola virus is transmitted through direct contact with the body fluids of infected people or animals and causes severe symptoms such as hemorrhagic fever, vomiting, diarrhea, and internal bleeding.
