The latest unemployment figures in South Africa are cause for concern. Among those, the growing number of graduates who are unable to find jobs in their chosen fields or, in many cases, are employed but not in the field they studied, is telling of an even greater challenge South Africa faces. The 2019 Post-School Education and Training Monitoring report sheds some light on … [Read more...]
Cultivating a passion for sustainable development in university students
Fresh life for old tyres; visionary 3D-printing for construction: these are just some of the clever and sustainable ideas presented by university students competing in the annual Growthpoint Properties and Green Building Council of South Africa (GBCSA) Greenovate Awards. The University of Stellenbosch triumphed overall, notably in the engineering category – which … [Read more...]
SA student wins Green Talents award in Germany
For the tenth time the “Green Talents – International Forum for High Potentials in Sustainable Development” culminated in a festive award ceremony at which the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research honoured the newest 25 awardees for their innovative green ideas from various fields of research and promoted an international exchange. This year, a high-ranking jury … [Read more...]
Self sustainable schools a step in the right direction
Education is the cornerstone to success, progress and knowledge. Globally 75 million people between the ages of 18 – 24 are unemployed. But there is hope. In a relatively unknown part of the world, the principles and methods of learning have been redefined. Escuela Agricola San Francisco de Asis, Paraguay. Converted from a monastery into an agricultural college for local … [Read more...]
Ocean science opportunity for South African students
Ocean 180 challenges scientists to share the meaning and relevance of their research with a broader audience and looks to middle school students to help evaluate their efforts. Ocean scientists are invited to submit 3 minute videos highlighting the importance of their research and summarizing their findings to Ocean 180 this fall. The top 10 entries will be viewed and … [Read more...]
One educator can make the difference
Thousands of educators are attending workshops across the country, learning how to develop healthy and sustainable school environments that are conducive to learning. Food & Trees for Africa’s 20 year old EduPlant programme, now run in partnership with Engen and The Woolworths Trust, launches with this series of free, empowering workshops that help educators to pass the … [Read more...]
Finding solutions to SA’s escalating power costs
The future of South Africa’s electricity – will the country be able to afford electricity in the near future and what is being done about minimising electricity consumption? Electricity price hikes and the constant threat of depleting electricity supply are just some of the worries facing South Africans over the past few years. The seriousness of the energy situation has … [Read more...]
Wanted: free thinkers to build Africa’s future
The University of Cape Town Graduate School of Business is looking for highly motivated individuals to spend a year in a unique, free thinking, applied academic programme to envision a better future for Africa. Applications are open to register for an MPhil degree with a range of expert faculty with an interest in Inclusive Innovation Studies. The call is part of a wider … [Read more...]
St Stithians College Builds Green Momentum
Joburg's St Stithians College has instituted a radical environmental programme on campus. In addition to a significant investment in energy saving, a comprehensive dry recycling programme and water saving programmes, the College has embarked on a food waste recycling programme. WSt Stithians is recycling food from both their Higher Ground restaurant and the Main … [Read more...]
Winners of student design competition announced
The Plastics Institute of South Africa (PISA) has announced the winners of the Student Design Competition, held in partnership with POLYCO (the industry association promoting the recycling of polyolefin plastics in South Africa), Plastics|SA, Afrimold and the Universities of the Witwatersrand (Wits), Johannesburg (UJ) and Tshwane University of Technology (TUT). Addressing … [Read more...]
Time for conversations with the environment
How do we care for the ocean in a way that meaningfully impacts on the people? This question was posed by Dr. Gansen Pillay, Deputy CEO of the National Research Foundation, during the opening of the Chapman Conference on The Agulhas System and its Role in Changing Ocean Circulation, Climate and Marine Ecosystems at Spier this week. Dr. Pillay implored a hall full of young … [Read more...]
Lift sharing system sparks sustainable transport
After being in a major car accident, Dan Claasen decided to find a solution to our traffic problem, and created a lift-sharing platform that is now used by over 5000 people. In light of the rising cost of fuel and motoring, increasing congestion and the need to alter travel behavior in an ever growing population, it is rare to find an initiative that fights this at no cost … [Read more...]
Greening The Bush: Students In Free Enterprise
The world is slowly but surely coming to grips with the problems of our time and becoming more environmentally conscious. The youth are an integral part of the move to becoming more ecologically intelligent and essentially saving our planet. It has become increasingly apparent that the youth play an important role in the mitigation of the effects of climate change, and … [Read more...]
