The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations says that wild meat possesses several added advantages over domesticated species in terms of range usage, physiological and ecological adaptations to the African environment, disease tolerance and productivity, crediting it among the healthiest meats available. This year as part of the annual Taste of Game campaign, … [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...]
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...]
Ten million tons of wasted food can feed our people
In South Africa, 10 million tons of food goes to waste every year and ends up in landfills. That’s a third of the 31 million tons produced annually in South Africa. Fruit, vegetables and cereals account for 70% of the wastage. Meanwhile a quarter of our population is going hungry every day, with another quarter at risk. The food wastage facts are documented in a WWF … [Read more...]
When will Africa embrace ecological agriculture?
As COVID-19 threatens farming communities across Africa already struggling with climate change, the continent is at a crossroads. Will its people and their governments continue trying to replicate industrial farming models promoted by developed countries? Or will they move boldly into the uncertain future, embracing ecological agriculture? It is time to choose. Africa is … [Read more...]
Charity celebrates international children feeding milestone
International school feeding charity Mary’s Meals is now reaching more than two million children in 19 countries with life-changing meals every school day, thanks to an impressive grassroots movement taking action all over the globe. The landmark achievement of the charity feeding 2 million children every school day will be officially announced and celebrated in the remote … [Read more...]
How local governments can put food on the table
2021 is the year of food. After the pandemic exposed how vulnerable food systems are, two global summits are placing food front and center: the UN Food Systems Summit (UNFSS) in September in New York, USA (with the Pre-Summit gathering key actors from July 26-28 in Rome, Italy), and the Nutrition for Growth Summit this December in Tokyo, Japan. Finally, the issue of food is on … [Read more...]
Fishers around SA protest against Karpowership plans
Hundreds of people from fishing communities near Langebaan and Saldanha on the Cape’s West Coast took to Friday Island Beach on World Ocean Day (8 June), to “Say No to Karpowerships”. The protesters turned up in droves to demonstrate their rejection of the government’s plans to allow the so-called Karpowerships to anchor offshore, proposed to assist the government’s power … [Read more...]
Saldanha Bay initiative links recycling to feeding scheme
In the Saldanha Bay Municipality there is a new initiative to encourage lower-income areas to participate more in recycling by feeding hungry children in return. Since 2016, the Saldanha Bay Municipality’s kerbside recycling collection service has been running well, reaching over 40% participation of households in middle and upper-income suburbs. However, in high-density, … [Read more...]
Growing pride in African indigenous crops
Nandi Mkwanazi’s agricultural journey started in her grandmother’s garden where she learnt how to grow spinach, tomatoes and chives and rear a coop of Nguni chickens. In 2018 she re-established a 10x12 meter garden in her grandmother’s back yard to feed her family. Seeing the success of her work she quickly expanded and founded Nanloy Organic Farm on two hectares, farming … [Read more...]
Bold action and strategies required to tackle climate change
The City of Cape Town’s draft Climate Change Strategy is available for public comment from 1 to 30 September 2020. Climate change is a global threat and Cape Town is particularly vulnerable. Residents and interested parties are encouraged to please participate in this process. It is the City’s vision to create an urban environment that is climate resilient, resource … [Read more...]
Cape Town mayor donates much-needed equipment to soup kitchens
Mayor Dan Plato has donated to nearly 150 soup kitchens across Cape Town. Last week, the second phase of handovers to capacitate neighbourhood soup kitchens began in Hanover Park, Mitchells Plain and Khayelitsha. ‘We are nearing an important milestone in our drive to feed communities affected by the national lockdown. Today’s handover in Strand means we are reaching even … [Read more...]
SA’s waste reclaimers tell of their lockdown relief
Informal waste reclaimers have spoken of the dire straits they are facing after being forced to stay home as non-essential workers during the Covid-19 national lockdown, leaving their families unsure of where their next meal will come from. In response, the country’s packaging sector has rallied to their aid, raising funds for the donation and distribution of electronic … [Read more...]
