Ayakha Melithafa, a 17-year-old climate justice activist from Khayelitsha has been invited to attend the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland from 19-24 January 2020. There she will represent the youth of South Africa on a number of panels with world-renowned youth climate activist Greta Thunberg. The Forum brings together stakeholders to help address the greatest … [Read more...]
Recycling plastic presents income opportunities for South Africans
One of the best motivating forces for recycling plastic waste comes from the income opportunities that it creates. This is why South Africa has such a large sector of informal waste pickers – citizens that collect plastic recyclables from landfills and other waste streams and sell them to recycling companies for a profit. Waste management is an important part of society. … [Read more...]
School receives solar power unit thanks to Khayelitsha ‘eco warriors’
A high school in Salt River, Cape Town has received a new solar power unit, thanks to environmental justice warriors from Khayelitsha. The 3.96kWp solar system will save the school around R 8 200.00 on its annual electricity bill. It will also help the school cut back 5 tons on its yearly carbon emissions. The school was awarded a Wessa Eco-Schools flag in 2017. The project … [Read more...]
Green goes platinum for cool hotel
When a local green hotel receives the honour of becoming the first Elite Platinum building on the African continent, there is cause for celebration. A celebration which we were happy to share, inspired by a range of magnificent green tweaks which confirms that indeed the world is changing and all the hard work in the green industry is not in vain. Hotel Verde also … [Read more...]
3683 trees planted in Livingstone!
"At first I didn't really understand the full benefits of planting more trees, but Greenpop explained it to me & it is really going to help. Speaking for the whole community, we have cut down many trees for fuel. We are grateful to Greenpop for bringing us so many trees. & we hope to spread the message to our friends & neighbours. It was a very exciting day!" … [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...]
Who flung the dung?
The title of this post is from a children's book: "Who flung dung?" by Ben Redlich. The post however, pertains to a more serious issue: Earlier this month, the Provincial Government of the Western Cape celebrated the first anniverary of their 110% Green initiative on World Environment Day in Khayelitsha... and found themselves pelted with human feces by members of the ANC … [Read more...]
Creating a new generation of earth children
The EarthChild Project in Cape Town was conceived while Janna was living in an eco-village in Brazil and reading the spiritual classic Autobiography of a Yogi. "The book describes the educational ideals of the ancient Indian rishis, namely that most instruction be given outdoors in nature, and that alongside academic subjects there be equal emphasis on teaching meditation … [Read more...]
Waste and soil pair up for health
There is a legend that the world rests on the back of a giant tortoise. And he rests on another tortoise, and another, etc. Its tortoises all the way down. Our country rests on the back of women. Strong, hands-on mothers, with hearts the size of Africa. Today I will tell you about one such woman, and next time another. And another - this story has no end. Nokhaya dreamed … [Read more...]
Mamelani’s Move for Health Day
Non-profit organisation, Mamelani Projects hosted their own Move for Health Day on 6 May at the Chris Campbell Memorial field in Khayelitsha. The initiative was conceptualised by the World Health Organisation's Global Move for Health Day which was celebrated on May, 2nd, 2011. The aim of the initiative is to raise awareness on the importance of exercise to improve your … [Read more...]