Conservation

Oscar Mthimkhulu, our man at uKhahlamba Park

Thu, 22 Mar 2012 06:07:44 +0100

Oscar Mthimkhulu probably has one of the tougher jobs in conservation in South Africa. As co-ordinator of uKhahlamba Drakensberg Park, the 38 year-old Zulu from Makhosini near Ulundi is responsible for ensuring the conservation and commercial success of this unique mountainous area. The 242 000 hectare reserve, running 200 kilometres north to south and about 50 kilometres west to east, is one of the country’s biggest conservation areas, and covers Southern Africa’s most inaccessible terr...

Flying High! Wilderness from the air

Tue, 10 Jan 2012 09:29:36 +0100

At the end of last year, I was fortunate to be taken paragliding over the Wilderness Lakes section of Garden Route National Park. It gave me a great opportunity to see how beautiful this area is.But also, it gives a great perspective on the challenges that organisations like SANParks face. In among the rivers, forests, beaches and lakes which the rangers have to conserve and look after, there are literally thousands of people, homes, cars, roads and trucks. It’s an open access system mostly…t...

Wild and wonderful

Tue, 10 Jan 2012 09:14:35 +0100

I was supposed to spend a few weeks at Kogelberg Nature Reserve in December, but will only get there in July, once the reserve's new accommodation is ready. I can't wait, because the Kogelberg is one of the world's most famous nature reserves. Here's why: it hosts the greatest diversity of plant species per hectare on earth. Of course, it's almost impossible to prove this emphatically, but the general assertion remains true....

The Write Direction...

Wed, 21 Sep 2011 07:00:22 +0100

The Expedition after a year of preparing is finally started as myself and partner CHUMMER, the Expedition vehicle make our way from Waterfront, Cape Town to Arniston Spa & Hotel.The hotel hosted the press conference and accommodation, with the local school invited, media and representative from Municipality.After all the interviews, we made our way to the Southern Most tip ofAfrica , at Cape Agulhas.The long drive took place toward the next stop at Clanwilliam, via mountain passes which begge...

Ripples for Good make waves in Westbury

Wed, 20 Jul 2011 09:01:07 +0100

The air is crispy and cold around my knuckles clutching the handlebar. The North West/Gauteng area is a summer rainfall area meaning dust everywhere. Even inside our sleeping bags and tents. Its been quite an exciting month during which the schools had their winter holidays and the 2 Ripples For Good schools got nominated. Westbury Primary School and David Brink Primary will be our homes for 2 nights. During the days we, together with the parents, children and teachers will be fixing their waterl...

Table Mountain National Park – Week 1 of Year in the Wild!

Wed, 22 Jun 2011 10:15:47 +0100

I spent this week on Table Mountain for Year in the Wild (http://www.yearinthewild.com). It’s the first of 31 nature reserves and national parks that I’ll be visiting during the coming year, taking photographs of our country’s awesome natural beauty and interviewing the people who work in conservation. Table Mountain is actually a really appropriate place to start the journey, because it is symbolic of our country’s (and earth’s) environmental situation. There are 4,5 million people liv...

Making waves in rural South Africa

Wed, 22 Jun 2011 08:16:10 +0100

Life and the beauty of people never ceases to amaze us! Even though being around water in the crispy cold winter weather adds new challenges we find it amazing to experience the willingness and support of people to assist us in our mission. The grateful faces of children when we open a tap and safe drinkable water that was once not there starts to flow brings a warm feeling in our beings. As part of our mission we have decided to assist schools with water and to educate and inspire the children t...