We Were Always Here! New book a celebration of African history and innovation
Is it selective amnesia, a deliberate omission of facts to establish white dominance or a simple lack of mindfulness, that so much is not known about people from Africa who pioneered, invented or passed on ancient knowledge that we all benefit from in these modern times?
‘We’re going to the newspapers about this!’ — Memories of Newspaper House
So many people have fond memories of Newspaper House in Cape Town, which will no longer be the home of Independent Media. But its legacy lives on.
Journo responds to a distress call from a dog stuck in a forest for days
Our world is in turmoil right now, with much uncertainty, loss and bleakitude, yet each day presents an opportunity to be the change we want to see in the world, and I got a nudge this week when a dog's howls in a forest called me to action.
Did you know that today is World Youth Skills Day
Today is World Youth Skills Day, and it comes at a time when there are more unemployed young people than ever before. What’s more, those still learning skills are being held back by the Covid-19 pandemic, which has closed colleges across the globe.
Turning the tide to clean our oceans
Our Blue Planet, much like our bodies, is made up of mainly water and our existence depends on it being a healthy and balanced ecosystem. Plastic, oil and chemical pollution threaten this delicate balance.
Investing in a green recovery
Ecological healing is achievable in South Africa provided that everyone from government to corporates and everyday citizens plays their part.
We’ll fight the plastic flotillas on the beaches
Durban prides itself on its long stretches of shoreline but when the Umgeni River comes down in flood, so does a flotilla of plastic debris which eventually runs aground on the beach. Among the many volunteer organisations that try to mitigate the mess is Adopt-a-River Eco Solutions. This is their story
Creating awareness of the challenges facing surface water
Citizen activists, NGOs, ward councillors and volunteers have made a difference by clearing rubbish from the Hennops River in Gauteng and want to expand their efforts across the country.
Kindness begins with little garden creatures
On her deathbed at the age of 89, Dorothy Struthers asked her neighbour Diya Patel to spread the word to get people to adopt more humane ways of dealing with insects and other small creatures.
Permaculture is the future
The concept is based on a set of principles that allow us to look after ourselves, each other and the planet in a way that is fair and sustainable.
Dealing with pesky pests
It can be heartbreaking when pests chomp their way through your veggie patch. There are ways to deter them which won’t damage the plants, the garden or the environment.
Grow vegetables in pots if you don’t have much space
A balcony, stoep or small piece of ground at your entrance can easily be turned into a patch that produces vegetables and gives you a sense of achievement.
10 gardening dos and don’ts
When the gardening bug bites, it often sends newbies into a frenzy of overdoing things and, ultimately, messing up their grand plan.
Water stewardship is in our hands
Trevor Balzer, Acting Director General of the Department of Water and Sanitation, said by embracing the power of partnerships between the private, public and civil society sector South Africa could close the water gap by using a water stewardship approach.
'We see hydroponics as the future of farming’
Getting children to learn how to grow vegetables at school is an idea which is growing in popularity across Mzansi.
Go wild, go up the wall!
Vertical gardens have become quite the trend as gardeners look at new ways to maximise their enjoyment of their outside area.
Consumers can help push industry for change to end plastic waste
Huge advances have been made to reduce the amount of plastic that goes to landfills or gets discarded in the environment.
Waste not, want not - how to cut your clothing glut
Her protests in the 70s that got her arrested were against the Vietnam war, but her latest campaign is aimed at wasteful consumerism in our troubled world.
WATCH: Help our oceans get over the nurdle hurdle
Nurdles are used to mould plastic products but in the sea they enter the food chain when fish and filter-feeders like whales mistake them for food, such as eggs or baby jellyfish.
7 natural fibres to consider if you want go green with your wardrobe
There are ways to zig-zag through the obstacle course of attaining a green life that looms ahead.
Giving plastics collected from the ocean a ’second life’
Most plastic waste ends up in our seas by being washed down rivers, as well as from shipping activity.
What you need to know about companion planting
There are many different companion combinations which your nursery or seasoned gardener can advise you on.
How you can join the move towards zero waste
Zero waste is the conservation of all resources through responsible production, consumption, reuse and recycling of products, packaging and materials that does not involve burning or dumping on land or water that threatens the environment or the health of people.
Coming clean for our future to cost R19bn
Climate change and pressing environmental issues across the globe are becoming of such concern that they could become the drivers that change human behaviour for the better, said Dr Andrew Venter.
Why children should have gardening as a school subject
In a world where children spend a lot of time indoors, playing on tablets, watching television, or being in the classroom, it becomes even more important to foster in them an interest in gardening.