Overberg media trip: A research centre and a place to stay (part 6)
On our second day, the Haarwegskloof Renosterveld Reserve and its Research and Visitor Centre were on the agenda. It was an overcast day, and we travelled with the promise of rain in the air.
Overberg media trip: stabilising soil structures (part 5)
In this country, soil erosion is a crucial concern (Le Roux & Smith, 2014), and so I was particularly interested to view the ORCT’s work in this regard.
Overberg media trip: Conservation management – what’s in it for farmers? (part 4)
The aim of the Overberg Renosterveld Conservation Trust (ORCT)’s efforts is to improve habitat condition and increase ecosystem resilience. When you are looking after nature, it looks after you.
Overberg media trip: Watercourse Restoration Project (part 3)
The handbook for farmers, The Overberg Rûens Renosterveld, has the following words in bold: “Your patch is not a single piece of veld, but it is part of a critical network of one of the most threatened habitats on earth!”
Overberg media trip: the choice to go left instead of straight (part 2)
We arrived at the river where Lynch addressed us on the surprising find: Heuningnes redfin minnow living in watercourses that seemed unsuitable for indigenous fish.
Overberg media trip: setting the stage (part 1)
I had done a quick reconnaissance of Napier, the Overberg Renosterveld and fynbos before setting out on the field trip – but no amount of desk research prepares you for the open spaces of the Overberg!
Climate report: a response on Africa
Yesterday, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change released a report detailing progress and pathways to limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius.
Lowering of food standards in UK a result from any trans-Atlantic deal?
By Craig Macaskill Posted 2018-01-17 In Blog On Tuesday, The Guardian reported concern in the UK about any US-UK free trade deal. Several practices, outlawed in the EU are accepted in the US. These are listed as: Chlorine-washed chicken (banned in the EU). Hormone-treated beef (banned in the EU). Ractopamine in pork (banned in the EU). Chicken […]
Of cattle and men
Cattle of Ages, by Cyril Ramaphosa (text) and Daniel Naudé (photography), has been released. For our overseas readers, Cyril Ramaphosa has a trade union background, and was Mandela’s right-hand man during the negotiations which allowed for a peaceful transition of political power to the African National Congress (ANC) in 1994. He was also Mandela’s […]
Rustler’s Valley (part VI): Naledi Village Farmers’ Co-operative
By Craig Macaskill Posted 2017-09-17 In Blog Jackie Zondo is clear on one point: “Everything you see is an initiative of the community”. The point is discussed in several places – how a community must be included in whatever has to do with them. In our Boreholes & windmills chapter, for example, a role player discussing water […]