Women Make Change, launched this weekend, is a new series from Al Jazeera showcasing women standing up and dealing with problems in their communities. Here are the women who have started impactful local projects in Ghana, Kenya, Rwanda, Brazil, Nicaragua, and Papua New Guinea. Focusing on areas as diverse as water, agriculture, family planning and sport, their work shows … [Read more...]
Wild Coast doc to give special community screenings
What are the prospects - pros and cons to the local community - of titanium excavation along the pristine Wild Coast? Award-winning South African film maker Ryley Grunenwald’s The Shore Break is an environmental documentary, political thriller, family feud story, and classic David and Goliath tale. Filmed in Pondoland in the Eastern Cape, it follows pro- and anti-mining … [Read more...]
New recycling centre a hit with kids and community
A novel approach to eco-friendly service delivery in the community of Mapleton is encouraging recycling, growing entrepreneurs and providing a lifeline for many. PETCO have been instrumental in establishing and contributing to the long term viability of the Phumula Buy-Back Centre in Mapleton, Gauteng. The Buy-Back Centre, which is combined with a Coca-Cola Southern Africa … [Read more...]
Solving climate problems and beyond by looking at core issues
The core drivers of climate change cause other problems too. The good news is, for every problem there’s a group of people who would benefit from solving it. From the first exploratory survey for fossil fuels until the end of the century, when today’s greenhouse gas emissions will still be influencing our planet, the fossil-fuel economy causes harm. Climate advocates have … [Read more...]
Local rangers to bring nature conservation into Cosmo City
A team of ten local residents are being trained to bring nature conservation to a neglected conservation area in Cosmo City. A new inspiring project funded by the EPWP (Expanded Public Works Program), facilitated by Joburg City Parks and implemented by Green Beings NPO has started in Cosmo City. This project will run from February - June 2015. Green Beings has employed 10 … [Read more...]
Come help build sustainable housing
Active citizens from across the world are called to come together by Habitat for Humanity for the Desmond Tutu International Build Week from 2-6 March at Pelican Park. In partnership with Power Construction, the City of Cape Town and the Western Cape Government Habitat for Humanity is responding and putting into action the request in the words of their patron Archbishop … [Read more...]
Green entrepreneurs make magic with trees and waste
Improving your life whilst greening your environment is a match made in heaven. The Acornhoek community in rural Mpumalanga show us how it's done. The northeast of South Africa is home to some of its best-visited tourist attractions. On the one side is Kruger National Park and the upmarket, private game lodges that surround it. On the other there’s God’s Window and the … [Read more...]
Beyond the rubble, through the cracks
For years I have been passing by an old, roofless house on my route to work. Despite my hurried scramble to the office, I would always look out for her. Sad, abandoned and enigmatic, she has intrigued me. The romantic in me has, for years, been drawn to the poignant, abandoned beauty of this stoic, red brick structure with pink tibouchina bursting through the front veranda. … [Read more...]
Stop the poison bomb from hitting Transkei greenfields
There is a pervasive attachment to ignorance when it comes to 'weed control' in this country. Now in the Transkei this shortsightedness threatening vast tracts of ecosystems and the people living in or near those areas. Here is an Avaaz petition against an initiative that needs to be stopped. The other day I visited an expensive lodge on the other side of the Mzimbubu … [Read more...]
Calling for exciting environmental project ideas!
“Cape Flats Nature Partners’ Fund” offers small grants for projects that spark community nature conservation action on the Cape Flats. The Fund was launched by the Table Mountain Fund (TMF) in partnership with the South African Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) in the last quarter of 2013. Since then four of the small grant projects on the Cape Flats have been shortlisted, … [Read more...]
Stories of Lwandle evictees not OK, says ADR lawyer
After 20 years of democracy, and celebrating the spirit of Madiba, the reality of the Lwandle evictions, as reported in Court last week, triggered memories of the old style police treatment in the sad history of this country. As part of a Ministerial Inquiry into the evictions Sheena St. Clair Jonker (main photo) made submissions on behalf of the community. She is the … [Read more...]
Over 450 fruit trees planted in Khayelitsha
Greenpop and the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) partnered to plant fruit trees and indigenous vegetation at the Abalimi Bezekhaya community gardens in Khayelitsha. During the day over 400 fruit trees, windbreaks and indigenous medicinal shrubs and ground coverswere planted to reestablish the farm's windbreaks, create mini food forests, and encourage … [Read more...]
Sustainable design to address Cape Town’s rapid urbanisation
The challenges facing cities today are numerous. Rapid urbanisation is a growing reality and Cape Town has the highest rate in South Africa. This brings housing, infrastructure, social and biophysical challenges. Yet if we look for solutions across business, government and communities, we find tremendous energy and innovation to address the challenges. This was the outcome … [Read more...]
