Rastas Zebe and Innocent help out with artworks for the Walk the Talk event in Makers Valley. (Photo: Bridget Hilton-Barber) By Bridget Hilton-Barber Hector Dibakoane’s Makers Valley Partnership is driving opportunities for artisans, artists, urban farmers and many others in a thriving central-Joburg grassroots economy. “Makers Valley is a grassroots hub of creativity and social…
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South Africans have another chance to register to vote this weekend
The IEC officially launches the 2026 Local Government Elections Campaign on 27 May 2026. Picture: Supplied: @IECSouthAfrica on X.com By Vicky Stark The Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) urged citizens to check their details on the voters’ roll. The IEC is urging South Africans to register to vote this weekend. The Provincial Electoral Officer…
Xenophobia means higher interest rates, less investment and fewer jobs
By Sim Tshabalala One of the recurring claims in anti-migrant politics is that foreigners take jobs, lower wages, and contribute little to their host society. These claims are, quite simply, contrary to the evidence. Overall, migration is good for growth, and good for job creation. Migration and financial services are linked through remittances, transaction accounts,…
Beyond the plastic bag levy: Greenpeace says it’s time for South Africa to ban them
Purvance Shikwambana prepares to collect samples of microplastics from a river in Kruger National Park. (Photo: Supplied) Kabous Le Roux – 30 July 2026 Greenpeace says South Africa’s plastic bag levy has failed to curb pollution and is calling for a total ban on single-use carrier bags, arguing the country needs reusable alternatives. Greenpeace Africa…
Shift Embassy in Rotterdam is “a public park that blends art with ecology”
A bold new building in the Netherlands promises to showcase solutions to global problems – and encourage positive action As briefs go, it’s an ambitious one: design a building that will accelerate the societal changes required to create a more sustainable future… READ MORE
Finland’s radical answer to renewable energy’s biggest headache: The world’s largest sand battery
The industrial-scale sand battery in Finland’s Pornainen can cover almost one month of the town’s heating demands in the summer and as much as one week in the winter. By Sam Meredith A small town in southern Finland has turned to the world’s largest commercial sand battery to fix what many see as the most…
Invitation to Urban Harvest
My office is based at Mary Kihn School in Low St Observatory, where Urban Harvest has been based for around 10 years. It’s the depot from which we design, build and manage organic food gardens around Cape Town and beyond. We’re currently exploring how it might work to receive and process garden waste from interested…
How To Revive Struggling Succulents Without Overwatering Them
Credit: Getty Images String of pearls, aloe vera plant, jade plant, and echeveria are all succulents. Their leaves aren’t like other plants. Instead, they have thick, fleshy leaves, stems, and roots that retain water to survive arid environments. If those leaves and stems are shriveled and wrinkled instead of plump and firm, there’s not enough…
Most people see Madagascar Periwinkle as a beautiful flowering plant.
But hidden inside this tropical flower is one of the greatest medicinal discoveries in modern cancer treatment. Madagascar Periwinkle (Catharanthus roseus) produces powerful alkaloids that transformed how scientists approach leukemia and other cancers. Here are 5 surprising medicinal facts about Madagascar Periwinkle. 🌸 1. A Flower Created Two of the World’s Most Important Cancer Medicines…
Gardening at Obs Junior School
We had a company CSI event today at Obs Junior School to help them strengthen the success of their food garden. It was originally established by Urban Harvest about 12 years ago and they have managed to keep it going ever since (although a bit smaller than the original). It was so good to meet…