If president Jacob Zuma is truly interested in good stories about South Africa, he could do no better than encourage his Department of Arts and Culture to give greater support to the country’s fine youth orchestra, known by its acronym Miagi (Music is a Great Investment), which has just completed a stunningly successful month-long tour of Europe. The country’s image is … [Read more...]
Cities need to figure out their stories
More than 100 of the world’s fastest growing cities are in Africa. So said Marlene Laros (main picture), lead author of the newly released “the State of African Cities” report by ICLEI, during the launch at the British High Commisioner’s residence in Bishops Court. Africa is also experiencing unprecedented population growth and massive poverty. Africa is predicted to have 3 … [Read more...]
Hours to save the elephants
Poachers recently shot one of the world’s largest elephants, Satao, then hacked his 100 pound tusks out of his face with a machete. At the current rate of killing, elephants may be extinct in 15 years. This week, if we act now, we have an amazing chance to crack down on the illegal trade that fuels the slaughter. Each day, 50 regal elephants are butchered just to make dinky … [Read more...]
World Refugee Day: 50 million people displaced by war and violence
There is a need to develop policies and a legislative framework that will impact positively on the legal and social protection of refugees, asylum seekers and migrants, said the Home Affairs Director-General Mkuseli Apleni during an event to commemorate World Refugee Day (WRD) in Pretoria. His department is finalising a process whereby refugees will be able to apply for … [Read more...]
Stellenbosch to host Africa’s first student environmental summit
European models for sustainability often shape what we know about the subject. And this is often irrelevant to the developing world's context. It is against this background that the World Student Environmental Network's Global Summit will be held in South Africa – in the developing world for the first time since its inception seven years ago. From 30 June – 5 July … [Read more...]
Kenya’s biggest elephant killed by poachers
Satao lived in Tsavo East National park in southeast Kenya and was celebrated as one of the last surviving great tuskers, bearers of genes that produce bull elephants with huge tusks reaching down to the ground. This news follows hard on the heels of the slaughter of another legendary tusker, Mountain Bull, deep inside the forests of Mt. Kenya. Of all the elephants that … [Read more...]
Does Africa hold the key to the world’s energy crisis?
Africa has some of the most exciting and innovative solutions in the realm of renewable and sustainable energy and now these innovations could be rewarded too. The Zayed Future Energy Prize was established by the United Arab Emirates government to inspire and ignite the great minds of the 21st century to come up with innovative solutions and implement projects that can … [Read more...]
Desert Rose launches Climate Change song - Bring Back the Life
A new song about Climate Change, called Bring Back the Life was launched yesterday by our local band Desert Rose. The song was composed by to drive and promote Fasting for Climate Change. It draws on ancient wisdom and cultures as it speaks about the suffering of millions of innocent people and the need to return to the ancient philosphy of aligning our economy to preserve … [Read more...]
World Hunger Day: can social media end world hunger?
One eighth of the world's population - 842 million people - are currently living on less than 80p a day. Last Wednesday, World Hunger Day set out to raise awareness of the scale of the issue. The Global Poverty Project had challenged fundraisers to live on £1 a day for five days in their #BelowTheLine campaign. Many charities had promoted the initiative by tweeting and … [Read more...]
Finding the real Africa
In 2005, Binyavanga Wainaina published a brilliantly sarcastic essay in Granta called “How to Write About Africa,” advising people on how to sound spiritual and compassionate while writing a book about the continent. “Always use the word ‘Africa’ or ‘Darkness’ or ‘Safari’ in your title,” Wainaina advised. “Never have a picture of a well-adjusted African on the cover of your … [Read more...]
Handwoven dew collecting tower aims to ease Africa’s water crisis
There are many places around the world where finding clean drinking water is a time-consuming and even dangerous daily task, with women and children walking for miles at a stretch to bring back what they can find - and often, it's water that's been contaminated by human and animal waste. Helping local people gain access to clean and abundant water Inspired by a native … [Read more...]
Time for transition in South Africa
“In Transition 2.0” is a film that offers hope and resilience in challenging times. It was a pleasure to be part of the audience at the Eco Film Festival this month at the Labia in Gardens. For me the film presents a tried and tested opportunity for change. Very real change from a grassroots movement that is starting to gain ground in a time when we are looking for answers to … [Read more...]
Illegal miners: Poisoning is better than poverty
Flanked by fields of millet and groundnut, the northern Nigerian outpost of Bagega is so far out on the periphery of the global economy that when the financial crisis struck in 2008 few residents had any idea it was happening. And no one in a village without cars, electricity or tarred roads imagined it would end up indirectly poisoning hundreds of their children. "We knew … [Read more...]
