It has been five years since the High court ruling (on 26 April 2017) that exposed the severity of state corruption and halted government’s “illegal and unconstitutional” R1-trillion nuclear energy deal with Russia. This collective action, which gave Freedom Month a whole new meaning to all those involved, was a national effort by many civil society organisations, academics … [Read more...]
NPO takes fight against Karpowerships to court
On Monday (25 April), The Green Connection launched an application in the Gauteng High Court in Pretoria seeking to review and set aside the National Energy Regulator of South Africa’s (Nersa) decision to grant three electricity generation licenses to the Karpowership SA companies to operate powerships in the ports of Saldanha, Ngqura (Coega) and Richards Bay. Among other … [Read more...]
Mother Earth is not for sale
Mother Earth is Alive! The Earth is alive. Terra Madre, Gaia, Pachamama, Vasundhara… The Living Earth is a self-organised, self-regulating living system. She is autopoeitic, writing the poetry of life, creating the symphony of life, through the harmony of every participating living organism, from the microbes to the mammals. From the molecule, to the cell, to the … [Read more...]
Protesters arrested after oil terminal actions
Five supporters of Just Stop Oil were remanded in custody over the Easter weekend and appeared in court on charges related to actions at oil terminals in support of the demand that the UK government end new oil and gas projects in the UK. Kathryn Dowds, 28, Jake Handling, 27, and Joshua Smith, 29, were charged with aggravated trespass after being arrested during an action at … [Read more...]
Young people start food gardens in the Cape Flats
Perhaps the greatest problem and fear we face in SA today is the millions of unemployed youth walking the streets; many of them with degrees and most with only basic education. This is a recipe for revolution and crime. Young men are often seen as a problem and are more easily caught up in “get rich quick” activities. But there is truly serious and … [Read more...]
Ocean festival leaves art legacy in Sea Point
Two public art installations along the Sea Point promenade, 22 photographs and a 16 square metre mural, remain as a legacy of love and ocean awareness left by the Wavescape Surf & Ocean Festival. As a gift to the thousands who walk the promenade, the finalists of a special photographic competition were placed along the sea wall opposite the Winchester Mansions … [Read more...]
Civil society braces for another West Coast seismic battle
Just months after two separate High Courts granted interim urgent interdicts against two different seismic surveys off the East and West Coasts – both predominantly as a result of insufficient consultation with affected communities – Tosaco Energy received authorisation from the Department of Mineral Resources and Environment (DMRE) to proceed with seismic blasting in Block 1 … [Read more...]
Focusing on appropriate education for autistic children
The month of April, World Autism Month, can be a difficult time for autistic people and those who support them. Typical people highlight the condition through out-moded symbols such as puzzle pieces and the colour blue and parents speak about how exhausting it is to raise an autistic child and this can be very triggering for the autistic community who would simply like to be … [Read more...]
Zambia: When crop dreams are crushed
The first quarter of 2022 has been marked by drought conditions in the southern parts of Africa, particularly Zambia. Here’s a look at the causes, pertinent issues and those working on relief measures. According to the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), small-scale farmers are the country’s predominant food producers as they meet as much as 80 … [Read more...]
The Cleansing: a dance ritual for humans and the Earth
Flatfoot Dance Company in association with the Durban Botanic Gardens Trust, presents “The Cleansing” with Iain ewok Robinson at the Botanic Gardens from 20 to 24 April at 6pm each evening. In The Cleansing, Flatfoot Dance Company journeys into the heartland of Earth issues using this performance moment to negotiate the true meaning of ecology – the connectedness of human … [Read more...]
Top names lined up for The Plant Powered Show
Top South African and international chefs and food personalities will be taking to the stage when The Plant Powered Show comes to the Cape Town International Convention Centre from 27 - 29 May. They include the Giggling Gourmet Jenny Morris, Jason McNamara, Jane Nshuti, Mira Weiner, Mokgadi Itsweng, Arabella Parkinson, Claire Sharryn Roberto and Phil Mansergh, with more … [Read more...]
Court stops Amazon-backed development on sacred land
The R4.5-billion development at the River Club site in Observatory has been stopped, with a court ruling that the developers must “consult meaningfully” with all affected people. The interim interdict granted by Western Cape deputy judge president Patricia Goliath, will remain in place pending a review of the relevant environmental land use authorisations for the development … [Read more...]
Community concerns about Vaalputs nuclear dump
On 16 March 2022, Peter Becker of Koeberg Alert Alliance (KAA) presented to a workshop organised by the Southern African Faith Communities’ Environment Institute (SAFCEI) in the Northern Cape. SAFCEI and the KAA sometimes work together informally on matters that affect communities. Community members wanted to understand more about how nuclear power works, and also how to … [Read more...]
