Millions of pounds of UK aid money have been invested in a project in Tanzania which is destroying the livelihoods of smallholder farmers, driving them into debt and impacting the local environment. This according to a new report by The Oakland Institute released in collaboration with Greenpeace Africa and Global Justice Now. The company Agrica has received millions in … [Read more...]
African nations join global march against GMO giant
African nations joined tens of thousands of people across the world on Saturday to protest against the American biotechnology giant Monsanto and its genetically modified crops and pesticides. The third annual March Against Monsanto – begun by the Occupy movement – was held in around 400 cities in more than 40 countries from the Americas to Africa and Europe. May 23 marked … [Read more...]
Agribusiness seed grab shows little regard for African small farmers
A battle is currently being waged over Africa's seed systems. After decades of neglect and weak investment in African agriculture, there is renewed interest in funding African agriculture. These new investments take the form of philanthropic and international development aid as well as private investment funds. They are based on the potentially huge profitability of African … [Read more...]
2015 SEED Awards: applications now open
The newly-launched 2015 SEED Awards seek to recognise start-up enterprises that aim to generate environmental, social and economic benefits at the local level. This year SEED celebrates 10 years of SEED Awards. During that time, we have recognised 175 SEED Winners from 37 countries and accompanied them in their initial scale-up. Winners receive a monetary award of US … [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...]
African women gather to say ‘no’ to coal
Women, grassroots activists and leaders recently gathered in Johannesburg for a Southern African exchange on "Women stand their ground against Big Coal". Coal kills people, Coal destroys health and community well-being, Coal devastates land, water and ecosystems and Coal is destroying our planet. These are the conclusions of more than fifty women, grassroots activists and … [Read more...]
Suffering Africa to divest from fossil fuels
Renowned environmentalist Bill McKibben and the climate movement 350.org, recent recipients of the Right Livelihood Award, (otherwise known as the “Alternative Nobel Prize),” have sounded the call for a large-scale and global divestment from fossil fuel companies, especially in Africa. Africa is particularly vulnerable to climate change. It has been estimated by Greenpeace … [Read more...]
Nigeria joins the world climate march
Climate Change is a matter of justice. The world’s most vulnerable people have done the least to cause global warming and yet they are suffering most from its devastating efforts. Climate Change threatens to undermine progress on fighting poverty and hunger. It is still possible to make a difference but we have to act quickly. The momentum to galvanize positive actions to … [Read more...]
World Food Day: 1 in 4 South Africans hungry
October 16 was World Food Day. As the 20th World Food Day since the establishment of our democracy dawns on South Africa, a grim shadow of hunger and malnutrition hangs over the gains of the democratic era. Section 27 of the South African Constitution guarantees the right to have access to sufficient food to all people in our country. This and other socio-economic rights … [Read more...]
Aiming for 70/20 awareness on National Marine Week
"The focus of the world is on the ocean dynamics around South Africa and between us and the Antarctic for several reasons," said Environmental Affairs Minister Edna Molewa at the Cape Town launch of the annual National Marine Week Campaign. During this week the Department aims to create awareness about the marine environment and inter-connectivity of oceans with the rest of … [Read more...]
African innovations changing the world
With the rapid rate increase of information sharing, often bad news flies the fastest. I would rather hear good news. However, good news is sometimes hard to find. Especially when it relates to Africa. For example, good news would be how many tech entrepreneurs there are in Africa. Recently, when the Business Insider listed the top 100 female tech tweeters in Africa, only … [Read more...]
KZN farmers still desperate for rain
Farmers around KwaZulu-Natal are hoping fervently that the rain that has fallen in parts of the province since Saturday night will spell the end of a period of drought that is threatening to ruin many of them. Inadequate rainfall earlier this year and the delayed spring rains have resulted in rivers drying up and dam levels falling to crisis levels. Farmers are suffering … [Read more...]
SA prepares for world’s largest hydropower project
The Cabinet has approved the treaty on the Grand Inga hydropower project between South Africa and the DRC, paving the way for what could become the largest hydroelectric project in the world, with the potential to power half the continent. Minister in the Presidency for Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation Jeff Radebe made the announcement in Pretoria on Thursday following … [Read more...]
