Rustler’s Valley (Part III): the hike
Add Your Heading Text Here By Craig Macaskill Posted 2017-09-17 In Blog The outlines of mountains were hinted at in the growing light of a new morning, and then there they stood, playful and confident, and with them the familiar scenery of the eastern Free State. We had been aware of the gathering mountains as we had edged […]
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 […]
Rustler’s Valley (part IX): Conversations
By Craig Macaskill Posted 2017-09-17 In Blog The facilities at EarthRise Mountain Lodge are comfortable, and conducive to conversation. Indeed, several happened during our stay. Every time we arrived at the reception, we were impressed by the warmth of those present, a warmth matched by the fireplace, a welcome attraction on cold days and cold […]
Rustler’s Valley (part V): the children
By Craig Macaskill Posted 2017-09-17 In Blog After breakfast, we set off on our tour to see what was happening at Rustler’s Valley, what the Naledi Village Farmers’ Co-operative were up to. It began with the crèche and, next door to it, the school. I smiled at the appropriateness: children are the foundation of any […]
Rustler’s Valley (conclusion): The Conversation
By Craig Macaskill Posted 2017-09-17 In Blog The steps taken by EarthRise Trust in purchasing Rustler’s Valley and setting in motion what has happened since is a conversation on its own. Co-operatives have long been punted by governments worldwide as the vehicle to get the wheels of development turning. Our chapter on co-operatives begins: “Co-operatives are not […]
Rustler’s Valley (Part II): What problem do you most want to solve?
By Craig Macaskill Posted 2017-09-13 In Blog “What problem do we most want to solve?” The question is posed by Gino. Gino Govender has a history of organising and strategy, in trade unions and human rights organisations. His path has led him here, to being one of the founding members of EarthRise Trust, a not-for-profit initiative […]
Rustler’s Valley (part I): The Rumour
By Craig Macaskill Posted 2017-09-13 In Blog When I was growing up as a kid near Ficksburg in the Eastern Free State, Rustler’s Valley was what its name suggests: a hold out for the lawless; a safe haven from polite society. The local community was scandalised by stories of what transpired behind those there mountains: […]
Water and the three percent
By Craig Macaskill Posted 2017-08-13 In Blog When I first heard, years ago, that the name of a piece of music was Water Music, I chuckled, and chuckled even louder when the friend earnestly asked: “Do you get it?” The name was whimsical, silly and the young man who was me did not “get it”. I […]
“Energy farmer”, wins R100 000 funding for project
By Craig Macaskill Posted 2017-06-05 In Blog Thabang Mabapa was announced the winner of the “business pitch challenge” at an event held in Mamelodi, Pretoria, over the weekend. His Limpopo-based project, Selokong Sa Dimelana, involves engaging local small-scale farmers to grow castor seed crops. This is used for the commercial production of an alternative biofuel. Mabapa […]
West Coast media trip: part 2 (Moutonshoek and Verlorenvlei)
The dust brought up the rear as the two buses came to a halt outside the furtherest buildings on Klein Namaquafontein, one of the farms making up the Moutonshoek Protected Environment.