REALS Research Institute

1. [Politics/Social] President Ramaphosa to Deliver SONA 2026 at Cape Town City Hall:President Ramaphosa will deliver the State of the Nation Address on Thursday, Feb 12. As the first regular SONA under the GNU, it serves as a crucial test of coalition stability ahead of local government elections. Focus areas include job creation, fighting crime/corruption, and logistical/energy reforms.(Source..

1. [Christianity/Stats] Africa Becomes World's Largest Christian Hub (31%): New data from Pew Research and ZENIT shows Africa now hosts 31% of the global Christian population, surpassing Europe (22%). Sub-Saharan Africa is officially the region with the most Christians worldwide. Growing at 2.64% annually, Africa is projected to host more Christians by 2050 than Asia and Latin America combined.(..

Chapter 19Chapter 19 clearly reveals God’s justice, as He executes thorough judgment against sin through the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. It describes the extreme wickedness of these cities, which turned away from God and pursued only pleasure (verses 1–14). At the same time, the chapter records God’s love and grace in saving Lot and his family even in the midst of severe judgment (verses ..

This Article examines the shift of Christianity’s demographic center to the Global South, specifically highlighting how Africa’s massive ecclesiastical growth remains largely invisible to Western scholars who rely on outdated "intellectual maps." The author argues that traditional church history often ignores African Instituted Churches (AICs) and indigenous movements because they fall outside t..

1. [World/Stats] Christianity Continues Shift to Global South (69%):The 2026 Status of Global Christianity puts the current percentage of Christians in the Global South at 69%, projected to reach 82% by 2075. Christianity in Africa is growing at an astounding 2.59% per year, cementing its role as a major center of faith.(Source): WEA Mission Commission / OMSC (2026.02.01) 2. [Economy/Stats] Deta..

Chapter 17Thirteen years after Abram had Ishmael by Hagar, God appears to Abram and renews His covenant, commanding him to receive circumcision (verses 1–14). Circumcision becomes the most important sign by which the people of Israel distinguish themselves from the Gentiles, and Chapter 17 records the origin of this covenantal sign.God also changes the names of Abram and Sarai, thereby guarantee..

Chapter 14Chapter 14 records the first war in human history. The invading forces were four kingdoms from the north of Palestine—Shinar, Ellasar, Elam, and Goiim—while the attacked region consisted of five cities in the southern Jordan Valley: Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah, Zeboiim, and Zoar. In this war, Lot is taken captive (verses 1–12). In order to rescue Lot, Abram intervenes with his southern alli..

1. [Christianity/World] At Least 70 Tiv Christians Feared Killed in Taraba State, Nigeria: On February 7, 2026, coordinated attacks targeted the predominantly Christian Tiv ethnic group in multiple communities in Taraba State, resulting in at least 70 feared dead. This incident highlights the ongoing genocide-like violence against Christians in Nigeria and has led to urgent calls for internation..

Chapter 11Chapter 11 records the Tower of Babel incident and the genealogies of Shem and Terah. After the flood, as humanity began to multiply again, people once more revealed their pride before God. Those who had experienced the flood sought to build a great city and a tower reaching high into the sky, uniting around it in order to avoid being scattered and to escape God’s judgment (verses 1–6)..

1. [Economy/Social] SA Poverty Trends: 64.2% of Black Population Still Below Poverty Line: A recent report highlights persistent racial wealth gaps in SA. While white poverty remains below 4.1%, 64.2% of Black South Africans live in poverty. Black women are most affected, with an unemployment rate of 40.2%, underscoring the need for targeted socio-economic reforms. (Source): Statistics South Afr..