The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment is making the management and processing of organic waste much easier by removing the requirements for expensive and drawn-out waste management permits. New norms and standards for composting and the treatment of organic waste, signed into law in 2022, will make establishing processing facilities much cheaper and the … [Read more...]
A run for conservation and heritage
The WILDSERIES Mont-Aux-Sources Challenge is one of the pioneering trail events in South Africa with its first event held in 1992. This set a precedent for trail running as this was a unique, sold-out event which was limited to 100 runners. It soon became the most sought-after event with an endless waiting list raising funds for the conservation efforts of Ezemvelo KZN … [Read more...]
SA youth picket in Joburg for Earth Day
On Earth Day 2021, the Climate Justice Action Group (CJAG) held a picket demonstration outside Gauteng’s Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (GDARD) to call attention to the ongoing socio-environmental injustices that continue in South Africa. CJAG is a youth-based group facilitated by driven by Earthlife Africa Johannesburg to promote awareness of climate justice … [Read more...]
Polystyrene industry steps up to help clean Hennops River
The increased rainfall in Pretoria over the past few weeks has resulted in an increase of waste collection in the so-called "poly-island" litter trap which is cleaned and maintained by the Hennops Revival NPO. The poly-island is a natural litter trap that was created many years ago by two trees that had fallen across the river and became lodged in a V-shape that collects the … [Read more...]
Schools club to increase recycling knowledge and awareness
It is no secret that educating children about the environment and the importance of recycling is key to ensuring that we create a generation of responsible adults. It is with this in mind that last year, PETCO began looking for a partner who would have the experience and reach to spread the message about recycling (and specifically PET recycling) in schools in South Africa. … [Read more...]
Complementary medicine regulations to be challenged in high court
After two years of legal wrangling, the controversial complementary medicine regulations are to be reviewed and adjudicated this week. Starting on Tuesday, Traditional and Natural Health Alliance (TNHA) Chairperson Anthony Rees will be representing the Alliance of Natural Health Products South Africa (ABHPSA) before the Gauteng North High Court. This case places under … [Read more...]
Climate change review: humbling lessons from Australia
Australia, like South Africa in the last week and so many other regions across the globe before, has instituted strict lockdown measures to combat the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19). Though this is not the first large scale crisis the country has been faced with since the start of the year, as just a few short months ago Australia was still making international headlines … [Read more...]
Swimmers brave pollution to highlight poor river health
On Sunday 9 February Cape Town open water swimmer Andrew Chin, along with fellow athletes Dr Mandy Uys and Joy Roach from East London, swam a 10km stretch of the Bronkhorstspruit River in Gauteng. This formed part of their broader Swim for Rivers campaign, which aims to raise awareness around the poor state of our country’s rivers and to highlight the urgent need to restore … [Read more...]
South Africa’s 2019 recycling champions announced
On the back of a 6% year-on-year increase in the recycling of PET plastic bottles, SA's national industry body has unveiled its 2019 recycling champions. These people and organisations are making strides in sustainability at grassroots level. The annual awards were made across 11 categories, with Western Cape winners scooping nine awards, followed by Gauteng with two, and … [Read more...]
Encouraging young women to make their mark in energy
It is crucial that young women be inspired to enter the energy and science sectors at an early age, while still in primary school, because often by the time they reach high school their attention is drawn to the commercial sector, says Dr Thembakazi Mali, Interim CEO for the SA National Energy Development Institute (SANEDI), who adds that while there is an increase in the … [Read more...]
Gauteng campaign teaches kids the importance of forests
WESSA is excited to launch a new environmental education programme for schools that is aimed at increasing knowledge about the key role forests play in enabling sustainable life on our planet, including the cultural, ecologic, economic and social functions and benefits. LEAF (Learning About Forests) is an innovative, international programme that encourages learners and … [Read more...]
Thunderstorms hit Gauteng as hail lashes province
An afternoon thunderstorm has hit Gauteng, bringing with it hail and strong winds. On Monday morning the weather service issued a watch for severe thunderstorm in the afternoon. Forecaster Madimetja Thema said: “Thunderstorms are starting to pop out of the North West province. There is a line that has formed from Rustenburg down to Klerksdorp and is slowly moving towards … [Read more...]
Spring heat wave hits South Africa
Southern hemisphere heat waves are back and the northeastern provinces are frying. The South African Weather Service has issued a heat wave warning for the northeastern provinces of Gauteng (which includes Johannesburg and Pretoria), Mpumalanga and Limpopo, which contains the Kruger National Park. Weather forecaster, Vanepia Phakula, said the warning continued through to … [Read more...]
