Photo by Eugenio Mazzone on Unsplash A fascinating piece from Psyche, reporting on research into the concept of “place authenticity”. We’re interested in whatever can resource people’s commitment and investment in their communities. An opening extract below: Imagine visiting an old, indie bookshop nestled in a quiet corner of the town square. The smell of aged paper, the creak of…
‘Missing link’ corridor added to Table Mountain National Park, but critics say it’s a ‘bargaining chip’ for development
A Cape clawless otter on Long Beach, Kommetjie, one of many indigenous species in the Noordhoek wetlands section of the Table Mountain National Park. (Photo: John Yeld) By John Yeld – 24 October 2024 Two properties have been added to join the centre and south of the park to form the Kommetjie-Noordhoek wetlands land chain….
Are you REALLY saving on Black Friday? What to consider before indulging in ‘deals’
Picture: Eyewitness News By Tasleem Gierdien, 28 October 2024 Some stores make Black Friday last for the whole month of November which means deals, discounts and bargains will pop up all over, but does it save you money or leave you in debt? John Maytham speaks to Annaline van der Poel, COO of DebtRescue… LISTEN…
Cape Town is losing its trees
In some parts of the city there are no trees at all. Photo: Sandiso Phaliso 31 October 2024 | By Steve Kretzmann As global temperature records continue to be broken, cities need to move fast to protect residents from heat stress. Planting trees seems the simplest solution. Cape Town may be losing trees faster than…
African-made electric motorcycle completes solar-powered journey from Nairobi to Stellenbosch
The expedition highlighted the potential that mobility, powered by renewable energy, had to transform livelihoods across Africa. By Sheree Bega – 17 October 2024 An electric motorcycle, designed and built in Africa and powered by the sun, completed its groundbreaking journey from Kenya to South Africa on Wednesday. Researchers from the faculty of engineering at Stellenbosch University joined forces…
Municipalities in South Africa ‘throwing away a goldmine’
Seth Thorne – 3 Nov 2024 South Africa throws away millions of tons of organic waste every year, but this waste could be a goldmine of compost, energy, and much-needed green jobs. Up to 40% of South Africa’s municipal landfill waste is organic. This organic material, including food, garden, and agricultural waste, not only takes…
Mancomm meeting
Mancomm meeting Date: Tues 29 October 2024 Time: 18h00 Venue: Observatory Community Centre (upstairs in the NA room) or via Zoom (upon request) To attend our Mancomm meetings online, please pop us an email to [email protected] to request the Zoom invite.
T.R.A.S.H. fundraising
The Obs community’s monthly Liesbeek River cleanup team, in collaboration with the Friends of the Liesbeek, are appealing to local businesses for support towards our annual fundraiser Prize Giveaway. 🙏 The funds raised are used to keep the river and surrounds clean by contributing to stipends for FOL staff (who do the bulk of the…
Trick or treating in Obs
PHA Campaign Press Release – URGENT 22 October 2024
Dear Journalists, Media Houses, Partners and Interested & Affected Parties. The PHA Campaign has stopped 5 of the 6 developments proposed in the Philippi Horticultural Area over the last 16 years including a Consol Silica Sand mine over a wetland. This was rejected by City’s own appeal bodies, Heritage Western Cape and DWS. The 500ha…