Can we make it to 1000 Likes by New Years?

It's new year's eve and we have 699 'likes' to help save the rhino in 2012. Help us help them by clicking Like on African Safari Consultants Page - they are donating $1 for every "Like"! and will double their donation if they reach 1000 Likes before 1 January!

1 Like 1 $ campaign gains ground

Wow! We're really feeling the love through the 1 Like 1$ Campaign. Thanks everyone for your incredible support. Please pass on the message to your friends to "Like" African Safari Consultants' page to help raise money for the Wilderness Foundation's Forever Wild Rhino Protection initiative. http://www.facebook.com/SafariConsultants

1 Like 1 $ campaign

1 Like 1 $ campaign raising money to help the Wilderness Foundation #savetherhino! Pl 'like' http://mrkt.ms/tInNKc #rhino

 

Save the rhinos

Thanks to the massive support of the public, we've received 181 "Likes" in just 7 days... help us reach our 1000 goal & raise $$$ to save the rhinos! African Safari Consultants have promised $1 for every "Like" on their page during December. Spread the word: http://www.facebook.com/SafariConsultants

Umzi Wethu Hospitality Graduate excels at SA Chefs Academy

Thembelani Wiseman Gunya (22) in centre with is commemorative graduation plate celebrates his achievement with his mother Mabel Yiliwe Gunya and sister, Somikazi Sonia Gunya at the official SA Chefs Graduation ceremony.

A young Umzi Wethu graduate from Uitenhage, Eastern Cape, has excelled at the SA Chefs Academy in Cape Town. Thembelani Wiseman Gunya (22) was the second Umzi Wethu graduate to receive a grant for further education at the SA Chefs Academy, where he spent a year under the mentorship of some of the finest chefs in the country.
After graduating matric in 2007, doing particularly well in maths and science, Thembelani went on to study mechanical engineering at a college in Uitenhage. However, he was not passionate about the course and due to financial constraints he started looking for other opportunities for further education.
He heard about the Umzi Wethu programme through a friend and decided to apply for it, although he did not know much about it.

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Thank you to Pride of Table Mountain!

This message was sent by Sizwe Matoti who was a Pride of Table Mountain leader and some years ago. Sizwe then started a highly successful project, YEP Clan – Youth Empower Project (http://www.yepclan.org/).

Viva to Pride of Table Mountain, may you guys further what you give the youth of Cape Town and South Africa at large.
YEP Clan extends its gratitude for the opportunity that Pride has offered to the youth that we've worked with collaboratively in 2011.
Nature plays a crucial role in our lives and Pride is just one of those opportunities available for us to connect with it. In 2012 I further wish and hope that we could extend the impact and touch more young peoples live through exposing them to what Pride offers.
YEP Clan is proud and grateful to have a partner like Pride that is pivotal in its focus in developing young people and equipping them with relevant skills that would make that better people that can contribute to our society.

-    Sizwe Matoti

Your ‘Like’ could help save a rhino’s life

Rhinos in the wild could be extinct within the next decade if poaching is not brought to a stop. African Safari Consultants recently approached the Wilderness Foundation, offering a donation of 1 US dollar for each ‘Like’ on their Facebook page until the end of December. African Safari Consultants have seen much success with previous 1 Like 1 Dollar campaigns and hopes that the public will show their support for this one.
“If we reach our target of 1000 “Likes”, we will double the donation!” says Cameron Duncan, African Safari Consultants’ social media guru. The team at African Safari Consultants is passionate about the preservation of Africa and its wildlife, and understands the link between a country’s natural heritage and its tourism potential. “The rhino is one of the Big 5 – one of the animals that tourists most want to see roaming in the wild,” says Duncan. “We cannot sit back and allow this majestic animal to become extinct.”

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With COP17 highlighting the vulnerability of the environment, and the need to conserve our planet, the Wilderness Foundation has put together a team dedicated to poaching prevention.
“The Wilderness Foundation launched the Forever Wild – Rhino Protection Initiative in May, 2011,” says Wilderness Foundation director, Andrew Muir. “The Campaign aims save the rhino from extinction in the wild. As an organisation, the Wilderness Foundation is involved in rhino protection activities on two main levels – fund raising and advocacy.”
As an international organisation, the Wilderness Foundation is using its leverage to access some of the highest governmental authorities in order to raise awareness of poaching in South Africa. Director, Andrew Muir will be delivering a petition to US congress in January 2012 to bring the situation to the attention of international governments.
“We are also involved in a number of anti-poaching initiatives throughout the country, and are dedicated to supporting conservation agencies and private game reserves in their efforts to protect their rhino populations,” says Muir.
To participate in the 1 Like 1 Dollar campaign, and help raise funds for the Wilderness Foundation’s Forever Wild programme, go to: www.facebook.com/SafariConsultants and click “Like”.

Ellen and the Crawlers visit Umzi!

Ellen describes herself as “an American expat planning to visit every coffee shop in and around my new city of residence, Port Elizabeth, South Africa.”
She invites friends and ‘friends of friends’ and blog readers to join her for a cuppa and conversation at a different venue each week.
The Wilderness Foundation was lucky enough to host Ellen and her ‘Crawlers’ at Conyngham's Coffee Shop, located at the Ray Mhlaba Training Centre on Conyngham Street, Glendinningvale.
Conyngham’s is one of the training venues that the Wilderness Foundation uses for its Umzi Wethu hospitality skills programme.

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Alternative Energy - Saviours or Environmental Disasters?

Are you in Durban for COP17/CMP7? Why not check out the talk by Andrew Muir, director of the Wilderness Foundation and Jonathan Deal, chairman of Treasure Karoo Action Group (TKAG) taking place at the Alternative Energy Fresh Thinking Forum.
Some of the issues discussed will include the way forward for renewable energy, the impact of green products, the technology of fracking and its potential implications for SA.

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Board members join us on Pride trail!

From Left: Nomlindo (Umzi 8), Ed Posey (Gaia Foundation), Lihle Mbokazi (Wilderness Foundation), Lifa (Umzi 8), Lincoln Meyer (Wilderness Foundation), Sharon Oliver (Oliver Foundation)

Last week we had the privilege of hosting a few of our overseas board members who had travelled to SA for the annual Wilderness Foundation board meeting. Two of the board members (Ed Posey and Sharon Oliver) arrived a few days early so that they could take part in a Wilderness Trail in Woody Cape.

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Wilderness Foundation winners of prestigious Ernst & Young Award

From left, Abigail Noble, Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship regional Head for Latin America and Africa congratulates Wilderness Foundation director, Andrew Muir on his award. Together with them is Ajen Sita, CEO for Africa at Ernst & Young.

The Wilderness Foundation was announced as the winner in the Social Entrepreneur category for the 2011 Ernst and Young World Entrepreneur Awards Programme at the ceremony held last night, 17 November 2011.
Wilderness Foundation director, Andrew Muir was one of four finalists selected for the 2011 Ernst and Young World Entrepreneur Awards Programme in the Social entrepreneur category. He was at the ceremony to receive the award.
“This award will help us to build on what has already been established with regards to the Umzi Wethu programme as well as our other social investment programmes. We will have access to the Schwab Foundation’s global network, providing unprecedented opportunities to engage global decision makers,” says Muir.
“I believe that our main strength as a foundation is the integration of social intervention and environmental sustainability. We are not just a conservation-oriented organisation. The Wilderness Foundation recognises that the sustainability of South Africa’s wild lands and wilderness is intrinsically dependant on its social and economic sustainability.”
According to Ajen Sita, CEO for Africa at Ernst and Young, the company has been recognising successful entrepreneurs through the programme for the past 14 years. “We are humbled to be associated with and award these individuals who are making a remarkable difference to our economy and the societies which we operate and live in. We congratulate all finalists for their exceptional performance.”


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Umzi Wethu Success Stories - Harry Nkosinkulu

“I have learned that we never stop learning in life, and that we are all an integral part of nature, and nature is an integral part of us.”
Growing up in Grahamstown, South Africa Harry Nkosinkulu did not have much exposure to nature and never thought about pursuing conservation as a career until the Umzi Wethu academy made a presentation to the youth in his town.

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Wilderness Foundation's Rhino Protection Successes

The Wilderness Foundation launched the Forever Wild – Rhino Protection Initiative in May, 2011.
The Campaign aims to gather support from the public and various stakeholders to help fight against rhino poaching in South Africa and save the rhino from extinction in the wild. As an organisation, the Wilderness Foundation is involved in rhino protection activities on two main levels:

Save the Rhino Petition:

Firstly, it is gathering signatures on a petition through http://wildernessfoundation.co.za/savetherhinos/ which will be delivered to the US congress in early January in order to bring the situation to the attention of international governments. Without the intervention of government and the public, the rhino may be extinct in the next ten years. This petition has already received over 12,000 signatures!

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Major corporate support for award-winning Umzi Wethu programme

Above from Left: CEO of the Wilderness Foundation, Andrew Muir, Umzi Wethu student, Thabisile Nomatshila, eneral manager for environmental management in the Eastern Cape Department of Economic Development and Environmental Affairs, Albert Mfenyana and Absa CSI Representative, Andy de la Mare.

A total of 50 underprivileged youth is being given an opportunity to obtain jobs in the hospitality and conservation industries thanks to Absa’s R500 000 sponsorship of the Umzi Wethu programme, headed up by the Wilderness Foundation.
The international award-winning Umzi Wethu programme was founded in 2006 by Andrew Muir, CEO of the Wilderness Foundation, and is one of the foundation’s flagship social intervention projects.
There are two Umzi Wethu academies in the Eastern Cape. The hospitality academy is based in Port Elizabeth, and students are trained for hospitality jobs in urban and rural establishments. They gain valuable practical experience at the on-site Conynghams Coffee Shop and Ray Mhlaba Conference Centre.

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Umzi Wethu replicated in Stellenbosch

The highly successful Umzi Wethu social investment project has been replicated in Stellenbosch under the leadership of the Sustainability Institute at the Lynedoch Eco Village. The Umzi Wethu concept was initially developed by the Wilderness Foundation, and its accomplishments were officially recognised with a prestigious international Rolex Award in 2008.
Umzi Wethu is a one year, social development and intervention programme for displaced and socially vulnerable youth. The project offers them the opportunity to become skilled and highly employable young adults with secure, well-paying jobs in the eco-tourism industry.

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Shamwari Game Reserve hit by rhino poachers

One of the Wilderness Foundation’s Indalo members, Shamwari Game Reserve was hit by rhino poachers yesterday morning (Monday, November 7, 2011). Management at the reserve are unable to divulge specific details, but The Herald reported that two rhino were targeted in the attack – a mother and her two year old calf.
Both rhinos were darted, and horns removed. Even the tiny horns of the youngster were hacked off. According to reports, the mother’s face was mutilated by the poachers who tried to remove as much of the horn as possible before escaping.

Read more - Shamwari hit by rhino poachers

Wilderness Foundation nominated for Ernst & Young Award

Wilderness Foundation nominated as a finalist in the Social Entrepreneur category for the 2011 Ernst & Young World Entrepreneur Awards Programme.
Wilderness Foundation director, Andrew Muir has been selected as one of the four finalists for the 2011 Ernst & Young World Entrepreneur Awards Programme in the Social entrepreneur category.

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Donkin Coffee Shop

Enjoy some of the finest views of Port Elizabeth and the harbour, stroll along the Route 67 art pathway, and enjoy some of the best coffee and cake in town – all at Umzi Wethu’s new coffee shop on the Donkin Reserve.
In their latest enterprise, Umzi’s smiling students will serve piping hot Italian coffee together with some fresh-baked delights including muffins, carrot cake and chocolate brownies. Light lunches include hearty burgers and crisps or a side salad at very reasonable prices.

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Umzi Wethu Success Stories - Nomaxabiso Manto

Nomaxabiso Manto (23)
Umzi 6

From soccer star to game ranger, Nomaxabiso has come a long way in a short space of time. The 23 year old from Port Elizabeth was one of the rising stars of the Grassroot Soccer Programme, playing for her home town team, City Lads F.C. “Xabi” as she is affectionately called by her teammates is now part of the Shamwari soccer team – the only girl amongst the boys!
Xabi chose to change her career path on the advice of her sister. “My sister told me that I will not be able to be a soccer player for ever. When I’m 40 I will need something to fall back on. That is when I decided to apply for the Umzi Wethu conservation academy.”

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Umzi Wethu Success Stories - Andiswa Sizani

Andiswa Sizani (24 years)
Umzi 1

Andiswa is the assistant shop manager at Shamwari as well as a waitress in the various lodges. Her responsibilities include counting stock and merchandising the other gift shops on the premises.
She has been working at Shamwari since she graduated from the first Umzi Wethu hospitality intake four years ago.
She started out as a waitress and bar tender, but worked her way up and was appointed as the trainer for new waitressing staff and bar tenders. She volunteered to work in the gift shop so that she could learn new skills and grow her knowledge of the industry.

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Umzi Wethu Success Stories - Simphiwe Mantile

Simphiwe Mantile (26)
Umzi 1

Four years after graduating from the very first Umzi Wethu hospitality intake, Simphiwe Mantile is a proud homeowner, husband, father and junior sous chef at Shamwari Private Game Reserve.
The young achiever from Port Elizabeth in the Eastern Cape grew up cooking for his family at home, but didn’t consider a career as a chef until he heard about the Umzi Wethu programme.
“I approached the Ubuntu Education Fund for a scholarship after graduating matric, and they told me about this new programme that was starting which trained people for the hospitality industry. I decided to apply for the first intake,” says Simphiwe.

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Green Renaissance Team helps save the rhinos

On World Rhino Day the Green Renaissance team - http://www.greenrenaissance.co.za/ together with a few passionate volunteers made and erected 282 wooden crosses at Sea Point in Cape Town to symbolize the rhinos killed this year in South Africa.
"When you have to make this many crosses you realize just how many rhinos have been killed, and walking through the crosses helps one to fully understand the plight of our Rhinos. One rhino killed is one rhino too many.
Sadly the crosses have now been taken down, not having been up for even 24 hours."

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Umzi Wethu Success Stories - Vuyiseka Manxoweni

Vuyiseka Manxoweni (25 years)
Umzi 7

Vuyiseka Manxoweni has been working in the kitchens at Shamwari for one year. This is her first job following graduation from the Umzi Wethu hospitality academy in 2010. However, she gained very valuable work experience during her year at Umzi when she worked as a waitress and chef at the Port Elizabeth Stadium during the Fifa World Cup.
“It was very hectic at the stadium,” says Vuyiseka. “It was really busy, and there were loads of people. But the Umzi students were a good team and we participated in serving, cooking, preparing hot meals and also making dessert.”

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Recognizing World Rhino Day

In recognition of World Rhino Day on Thursday, September 22, the Wilderness Foundation hopes to reach the “10,000 names” benchmark on its international Save the Rhinos petition (www.wildernessfoundation.co.za/savetherhinos/).
To date, over 9,500 individuals have signed the petition, with comments including, “Don't let the human race be responsible for the extinction of yet another species!” and “This shocking cruelty must be stopped immediately.”

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Umzi Wethu Success Stories - Ntobeko Ngcala

Ntobeko Ngcala (23)
Umzi 6

Ntobeko Ngcala is living his dream. Passionate about nature from a young age, “Ntobs” never considered that conservation could be a career until he heard about the Umzi Wethu programme. He was one of the volunteer guides for the Wilderness Foundation’s Pride of Groendaal project in the Eastern Cape, and was introduced to Umzi Wethu by experiential education manager, Lihle Mbokazi.
“I have always loved being in the bush. In nature you just feel different. It is a place of peace, and I am so happy to be in a career where I can share my passion,” says Ntobs.

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Umzi students can ‘see clearly’ now

Greenacres franchisee, Antonie Wolmarans with
Umzi Wethu students, Lerato Tau and Lifa Tshali.

Two students from the Umzi Wethu hospitality training academy in Port Elizabeth can now ‘see clearly’ thanks to the sponsorship of Spec-Savers.
Lifa Tshali and Lerato Tau received their glasses from Spec-Savers Greenacres franchisee, Antonie Wolmarans on Monday, August 29, 2011.
“These glasses are great,” says Lerato Tau. “I can see so well now, and it helps me to study harder. I used to get really bad headaches which affected my concentration, and the nurse recommended that I have my eyes tested. When I got my glasses, my headaches stopped.”

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Wilderness Foundation Conservation Programme

The conservation projects pioneered, supported, or managed by the Wilderness Foundation focus strongly on protected areas. Protected areas play a critical role in supporting biodiversity conservation, and are an essential element in a comprehensive plan for reducing poverty and supporting economic development. The Wilderness Foundation continues to actively expand its existing conservation networks, ensuring that protected areas and reserves are well managed, and provide benefits for their surrounding communities.

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Muir meets with Powerful Policy Makers

Director of the Wilderness Foundation, Andrew Muir, had the opportunity to address delegates from the Conservation Council of Nations (CCN) at Shamwari Game Reserve last week.
“This was an incredible opportunity to be able to present our organisation to some of the most powerful policy makers in the world,” says Muir.

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Help Save the Rhino! Every Signature Makes a Difference:

If rhino poaching continues to escalate at its current rate, rhinos could become extinct in the wild in less than a decade!

The Wilderness Foundation plans to bring the urgency of the situation to the attention of international governments by handing over a PETITION with signatures of people around the world. Show your support by simply signing the PETITION.

International Delegation from the Methodist Church visit Umzi

Coinciding with Women’s Day on August 09, the Umzi Wethu hospitality academy welcomed a delegation of 22 women from the Methodist Church in Trinidad and Tobago on Monday, August 08. The ladies were treated to a delicious meal, prepared and served by the newest hospitality students.
The women are journeying around South Africa and Africa to view effective community outreach programmes in the country as part of the 12th World Assembly of the World Federation of Methodist and Uniting Church Women.

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New outfits for Pride of Groendaal Guides

Six dedicated volunteer guides each received branded T-shirts, beanies and caps last week. The Pride of Groendaal guides have been volunteering for the project for between five and seven years. They regularly take groups of scholars on trails in the Groendaal nature reserve.
The t-shirts were sponsored by the Wilderness Foundation’s Conservation department, and the caps and beanies are courtesy of the Pride of Table Mountain project in Cape Town.

From Left: Ayabonga Mani, Thandisizwe Mgudlwa, Lihle Mbokazi - Wilderness Foundation experiential education manager, Ayanda Manziya, Lonwabo Danster. (Not in photo: Ayanda Dita and Thandoxolo Mnyanda)

“These guides are very dedicated,” says Wilderness Foundation experiential education manager, Lihle Mbokazi. “They are volunteers for this project, and they pass on their passion for the environment to hundreds of learners every year.”
Each trail usually comprises 16 learners. A team of two volunteer guides each takes a group of eight learners on a trail and they meet afterwards for a social gathering to talk about their experiences
“We wanted to get outfits for the guides as a symbol of our appreciation for all of their hard work,” says Mbokazi.

From Left: Ayabonga Mani, Thandisizwe Mgudlwa, Lihle Mbokazi - Wilderness Foundation experiential education manager, Ayanda Manziya, Lonwabo Danster. (Not in photo: Ayanda Dita and Thandoxolo Mnyanda)

ADT sponsorship for Pride of Table Mountain

This article appeared in the Cape People's Post in July 2011

SA Enviro News: Public private partnership extends safe water to further 1000 rural households

In January this year, 1000 households in rural villages surrounding Elliotdale, in the rural Eastern Cape received improved access to safe water through a public private partnership. The partnership, between the Amathole District Municipality, United States Agency for International Development  (USAID), The Mvula Trust, Coca Cola and brandhouse is an innovative approach to enhance much-needed service delivery in the rural areas of South Africa.

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Rhino horn has NO medicinal value

The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) commissioned a study into the medicinal properties of rhino horn 28 years ago. The report found that consuming rhino horn is the same as eating ones own fingernails – it has no medicinal or aphrodisiac properties whatsoever.

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The price of rhino horn rockets, rhino-related crimes increase

With the crackdown on rhino poaching, the price of illegal rhino horn has skyrocketed. According to reports, rhino horn can fetch up to US$ 40,000 a kilogram – more than the price of gold. In 2010, the price was just over USD $25,000.
One of the biggest markets for the horn is in Asia (China and Vietnam), where the horn is though to have medicinal value.

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Rhino Poaching: Arrests are being made, but is it enough?

South Africa has made 123 arrests for rhino crimes this year and convicted six people. In 2010, four convictions resulted from 165 arrests. But is it enough to curb the slaughter?
On July 09, 2011 another Thai national was arrested in Edenvale, east of Johannesburg, in a joint operation by the South African Revenue Service (SARS), the Hawks and forensic investigator Paul O'Sullivan. The 43 year old man, identified as Chumlong Lemtongthai, is believed to be a kingpin in the illicit trade of rhino horns.

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SA Enviro News: Survey Reveals 32% Increase in Recycling, Positive Impact on Economy

In June 2011, the South African Plastic Recycling Organisation (SAPRO) released the results of its first annual SA Plastics Recycling survey in collaboration with the South African Plastics Federation. The survey showed that South Africans are gradually “going green” with a 32% increase in their recycling habits over the last four years. The survey covered a four year period from 2006 to the end of 2009.
With the increase in recycling habits, comes an increase in job creation and a welcome reduction to the country’s carbon footprint.

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Two new team members at Umzi Wethu

The Umzi Wethu project has welcomed two new team members this month. Heinrich Terblanche has taken up a position as the new Wellness Coordinator, and Anele Siswana will be assisting Heinrich as the newest intern registered counsellor. Both are looking forward to the Umzi Wethu experience and the challenges that lie ahead.

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Collectible coins highlights plight of rhino

On Friday, July 01, the South African Reserve Bank released its new R5 coin series in celebration of the 90th anniversary of the Reserve Bank. The new coin will feature one of six different themes including a black rhinoceros. 
According to head of strategy and communications at the Reserve Bank, Hlengani Mathebula, the coin is meant to “highlight the plight of rhino at the hands of poachers.” Five million coins have been minted and were released into circulation on Friday, 1 July 2011.

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Capricorn Primary Learners experience Pride of Table Mountain

On Saturday, June 18, a group of grade 5 and 6 learners from Capricorn Primary School in Cape Town took part in a Pride of Table Mountain hike. The weather played its part with a warm winter’s day without a breath of wind. On arriving, the young learners from Capricorn were eager to get started, full of energy and enthusiasm for the hike.
Although most of the learners live in Cape Town, very few had seen Table Mountain up close, and none of them had ever climbed the iconic landmark. This lack of wilderness experience is what led to the development of the Pride Projects throughout South Africa.

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Fantastic media coverage on Forever Wild Campaign!

Wow, following the sponsorship by Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles of six Amarok bakkies to the Forever Wild Rhino Protection Initiative, we have received a lot of media coverage. It is only through educating the public on the horrors of rhino poaching that we can really make an impact.
Have a look at the Forever Wild project gallery on the Wilderness Foundation's website to see all of the media coverage so far. Don't forget to sign the petition!

Volkswagen Amarok drives the Rhino Protection Initiative

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles today announced the sponsorship of six Volkswagen Amarok bakkies to the Rhino Protection Initiative at a media conference held at the Johannesburg Zoo. The R2-million sponsorship is part of the partnership between Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles and the Wilderness Foundation, the pioneers and administrators of the Forever Wild Rhino Protection Initiative.


Internationally Volkswagen has developed strategy around a responsible approach to environmental issues called ‘Think Blue’. It begins with the range of the highly efficient low emission BlueMotion cars, to energy efficient production plants and the support of appropriate environmental projects such as the Forever Wild Rhino Protection Initiative.

Above: Jaco Steenekamp, General Manager: Sales & Marketing at the Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles handing over the keys of the Amarok bakkie to Elvis Nageng, a member of the rhino protection unit at one of the North West Parks & Tourism Board’s game reserves.

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Honey Bees show impact of biodiversity loss

I thought I was going to write a straightforward piece about the dwindling populations of bees as an important pollinator and the impact of this on agriculture and other industries. In researching this I soon discovered that critical lesson that the conclusions that you draw from looking through a microscope is often very different when you look at the same evidence but through a telescope. It is not that the dire stories of declining bee populations are false; they just did not represent the global picture.

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Goodbye, and thanks for all the fish – landmark ruling against illegal lobster harvesting

In early January the US Court of Appeals delivered a landmark verdict which was related to rock lobsters (crayfish) illegally harvested (poached) and smuggled out of South Africa to the United States between 1987 and 2001.

According to the judgment, the directors of both the South Africa company (exporter) as well as the US based importer owe the South African government compensation for the unlawfully harvested south and west coast lobsters. In the current case, the US Court of Appeals overturned the judgment of the lower court on the issue of whether or not the South African government had an ownership claim on the lobsters in question - and therefore, as owners of the lobsters and victim of the poaching, they had a claim for compensation against the defendants.

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Botanical vision for PE's parks

Article by: Guy Rogers, The Herald, 09 May 2011

NELSON Mandela Bay will soon have its own Kirstenbosch, creating the possibility for a major upswing in environmental protection, tourism and job creation. The news was announced by the metro’s environment portfolio chairman Councillor Noluthando Mapu, at a biodiversity celebration function at Cape Town’s famous Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, a landmark attraction in the Mother City.

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Spec-Savers plants for the future

Published in The Star, Pretoria News, The Mercury & Cape Times. Friday, May 27 2011 BUSINESS REPORT

Writer: Jacqueline Gray

OVER the past three years, Spec-Savers South Africa has funded the planting of one hectare of Spekboom thicket every month at the Baviaanskloof Sub Tropical Thicket Rehabilitation Project in the Eastern Cape. Through this activity, approximately 4 000 Spekboom and other species have been established on a monthly basis.

This sponsorship – which forms an integral part of Spec-Savers environmental corporate social responsibility programme – is being implemented by the Wilderness Foundation.

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Top ten Green Tips for your home

1. Turn the temperature down on your geyser
2. Use ceiling fans in the summer AND winter. By reversing the direction of the blades, warm air is pushed down, helping to keep rooms warm in winter.
3. Save energy and wear and tear on your hardware by shutting down your computer at night.
4. Repair leaky fixtures: one drop per second from a leaky faucet can waste as much as 37 litres of water each week.

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