Greening the Future

FreeMe Wildlife are proud to be a winner in the category of Biodiversity Stewardship in the Mail & Guardian 2023 Greening the Future Awards.

The awards ceremony took place today (30 November) to coincide with the 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP 28). The awards recognize the heroes who tackle problems ranging from biodiversity loss to polluted air and water exacerbated by climate change.

https://mg.co.za/greening-the-future/freeme-wildlife/

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As World Aids Day approaches on 1 December 2023, Keready, a youth-led health movement, accelerates its mission to provide factual information to the youth about HIV. Recognising the pivotal role of early detection and treatment in enhancing individual health and preventing virus transmission, Keready utilises their social media channels and 46 mobile health clinics across four Provinces (Gauteng, KZN, EC and WC), to dispel myths and provide education, prevention testing and treatment.

Dr Tutula Singata, a young Keready doctor in Gauteng, asserts, "The key to one’s health is always prevention, and to best understand how one can avoid contracting a disease. So education is important, as is dispelling the myths that often surround HIV. For those who are sexually active HIV testing can empower you beyond measure. It's absolutely crucial to know your status for your own peace of mind and to protect your partners. Get tested, it’s easier than you think."

Keready offers free, confidential HIV testing, with immediate results, dispelling myths and fear surrounding the testing process. In KwaZulu-Natal, Dr Saira Carim assures, "Testing is a sign of strength. It’s a responsible step towards a healthy future. Then if you need go on treatment you can start and take control of your health. HIV is not a death sentence anymore, you can live a long, healthy life while on treatment."

Emphasising prevention, Keready promotes condom usage. Condom use amongst the youth shows significant variations, highlighting the need for consistent and reinforced education around its importance. This includes emphasising the need to use a condom each time you have sex. Provision of free condoms is a pivotal part of the initiative with Keready’s 46 mobile clinics acting as crucial access points. Keready also promotes PEP and PrEP to youth: PEP (Post-Exposure Prophylaxis) is a medication that can be taken after potential exposure to HIV to prevent the virus from taking hold. PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis) is a medication that can be taken on an ongoing basis to prevent the transmission of HIV.

Eastern Cape Keready doctor Dr Asanda Shabalala, affirms this, "Meeting the youth in their own environment with prevention, like PEP and PrEP can help reduce HIV infection in a community. It’s about early defence and sustained prevention."

Keready reaches beyond HIV testing, addressing the broad spectrum of sexual health by offering contraceptive counselling, STI testing and treatment, and pregnancy support services. This is all offered in a language that appeals to young people – straight talking without the jargon and judgement direct from young health professionals to youth.

With such endeavours, Keready endorses thorough education as a fundamental strategy against HIV and reinforces its commitment to empowering young South Africans in making informed health decisions. Not just ahead of World Aids Day, but throughout the year, Keready stands at the forefront, advocating for proactive youth participation in the fight against HIV/Aids.

 

Pictured here: #Keready Nurses Ntobizodwa Ngidi & Sithole Ndlovu - Photo by Val Adamson.

 

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"Attention to detail, friendly, efficient and kind. Excellent dental services.

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There's a water-floss machine that she recommended - much gentler than dental floss on aging gums and teeth. Who knew!

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Vists the Hilton branch at The Quarry Shopping Centre, Hilton, Pietermaritzburg.

Call to book now on 033 343 1677

'We are excited to announce, that we are once again selling Funda Nenja calendars for 2024. They are the tent-shaped calendars that can stand on a desk. They should be ready in early December so please get your orders in as soon as possible.

To order your calendar, please email Lisa at : This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. The price is R80 (excluding postage).'

Bootcamp for the “new kid” on the Conservation Block - Understanding Other Effective Area Based Conservation Measures (OECMs)

Other Effective Area Based Conservation Measures (OECMs) are the “new kid” on the conservation block. Being a new tool, it is essential as a country to ensure we all have a common understanding of the mechanism and is implemented in a standardised manner across our landscape. To achieve this, the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) arranged an inaugural OECM Bootcamp workshop at the end of November 2023. This Bootcamp was a gathering of almost 80 participants from national government, provincial conservation Departments and Authorities, conservation NGOs and civil society, and was generously funded by the WWF Nedbank Green Trust (through the BirdLife South Africa OECM pilot project) and the SANBI GEF 7 project.

OECMs are a mechanism that was adopted at the Convention on Biological Diversity in 2022 to meet the (conserving) 30% by 2030 Global Biodiversity Framework Target 3, also known as 30x30. The 30x30 target specifically recognises the role of OECMs in contributing to achieving conservation security for critically important biodiversity on privately and communally owned land. OECMs provide a supported global framework for South Africa to recognise the effective conservation work done for nature outside of the traditional protected areas and to report on these alternative conservation measures. The role of OECMs (where biodiversity conservation may be a secondary objective) is not to replace protected areas (where biodiversity conservation is the primary objective), but rather to complement each other to protect and conserve important representative biodiversity (diverse species, habitats, natural – resources on land and sea) through well-connected conservation networks – benefitting both nature and people.

So, what are OECMs?
A geographically defined area other than a Protected Area, which is governed and managed in ways that achieve positive and sustained long-term outcomes for the in-situ conservation of biodiversity with associated ecosystem functions and services and where applicable, cultural, spiritual, socio–economic, and other locally relevant values. (CBD Decision 14/8).

“The aim of the OECM Bootcamp was to create dialogue and have discussions to better understand this conservation mechanism in the South African context and explore the manner of implementation considering the urgency of contributing to the GBF 30x30 target,” commented Ayaka Peter of SANBI. “OECMs are essentially a recognition of existing conservation mechanisms, such as Biodiversity Management Agreements and National Botanical Gardens, Conservation Agreements and Conservation Servitudes. Several mechanisms such as biospheres, conservancies and wildlife ranching fall short of the criteria through initial assessment, although provide the conservation sector with a unique opportunity to engage these sectors in exploring ways of improving their contributions to conservation.”

The first day of the OECM Bootcamp focused on creating a collaborative learning space to introduce participants to the key concepts and provide insights from the pilot projects implemented by the Kruger to Canyon Biosphere and BirdLife South Africa between 2018 and 2023. Further discussions were had on the potential means of strengthening the OECM mechanism from a legal perspective, as well as exploring the international criteria for OECMs within the South African context. Day 2 focused on the mode of implementation, identifying the need for a standard implementation guideline, what

institutional structures are required for implementation (resources, capacity) and how we as a country ultimately report international on our OECM achievements.

Key outcomes and next steps identified from the 2-day Bootcamp included the need to create specific metrics for South African OECMs, flagging the urgent need to lodge OECMs within our legal framework recognising that finding the appropriate home for the mechanism will create improved credibility and provide a standardisation of its implementation; Working on building our capacity for implementation through training and co-developed implementation strategies within provincial structures, and strengthening partnerships across our landscape to improve coordination and implementation.

“OECMs are an exciting opportunity to add realistic conservation and biodiversity value in South Africa – as landscapes and seascapes and their respective use are complex issues. OECMs are innovative and are a new conservation approach to a country like Africa with diverse needs,” concluded Dr Kendyl Wright of WILDTRUST.

Photo Credit: South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI)

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MiTH 6 December 2023

INFO: 082 331 7271

ENTRANCE: R50.00 - Cash or Zapper at the Door

VENUE: The Knoll Historic Guest Farm


9pm: Mmm Band

The MMM Band is a group of talented individuals who do more than provide great service and do excellent repairs; they know how to rock. It’s a common culture for them to have jams in the shop, and this time they’re bringing the jams to the people of MiTH.

Chilled, but deadly Aidan Compton will accompany the band on bass, keeping the vibes nice and steady. Taking on the drums for this performance is Javid Govender. Lastly on guitar, bass, vocals and… other, is Skippy Kubheka who will ensure that everyone has a great time, and sings along.


8pm: Freewheelers

The Freewheelers hail from Mtunzini in Zululand. The trio consists of Vicky Erasmus, a multi-instrumentalist focused on keyboard, accordion and cello; vocalist and bass guitarist Dave Squires; and Johan Gerber on vocals, guitar, and harmonica.

They focus mainly on music from the 60’s and 70’s and cover a range of genres
from folk rock and blues, to any good songs that tickle their fancy. They cover
songs from Simon & Garfunkel, and Eric Clapton via Willie Nelson, all the way to
Talking Heads!


7pm: Hilton Montessori (Double My Age)

The 4-piece band Double My Age started as a collective of young amateurs, led by self-taught, local "musical appreciation" coach Jes Bedingfield. It has now become more like a regular Tuesday afternoon jam.

The band, consisting of Madison Fisher on guitar and vocals, and brothers Aidan and Aaron Balfour on bass and ukulele respectively, will be accompanying Jes for their first time on stage. They will be performing a variety of folky, poppy, as well as some teenage grunge songs, for their debut at MiTH.

ABOUT MiTH: Arguably the KZN Midlands’ best-loved music venue, Music in The Hills (MiTH) is an opportunity for beginners, professionals, and passionate music fans to share the joy of music at The Knoll Historic Guest Farm. Visit www.mith.co.za for more details and directions. Musicians can contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for slots.

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO: MiTH takes place every second Wednesday at The Knoll Historic Guest Farm, Knoll Drive, Hilton. Doors open at 6pm and the music will kick off at 7pm. Entrance is R50 at the door. Food and soft drinks are available for sale. A cash bar is available.

DIRECTIONS TO MiTH: Take the N3 to Hilton, take the Hilton turnoff and go South into the Village (away from Hilton College). Travel 5,2km along Hilton Avenue (past two sets of traffic lights and Crossways Pub) and keep going straight as Hilton Avenue turns into Dennis Shepstone Drive. At the 5,2km mark, Knoll Drive will be on your right – the entrance to MiTH is the *second* entrance on your left into The Knoll Historic Guest Farm.

Tackling the Looming Challenge of Solar Waste in South Africa

Looking back, 2023 will undoubtedly go down in history as the year that South Africa's corporate and civil society "went solar" in a way never seen before. In an effort to avoid the crippling effect of loadshedding, hundreds of thousands of individuals and companies recently opted to invest in solar panels. According to a recent BusinessTech report, South Africa's imports of solar panels increased thrice from the previous quarter to an all-time high of R3.6 billion in the first quarter of 2023.

“Whilst this is good news for renewable energy, we also need to think about the long-term implications that even this ‘green energy’ will have on the environment,” cautions Dr Mark Williams-Wynn, KZN Branch Committee Member of the Institute of Waste Management of Southern Africa (IWMSA). "In the coming years, we will have to deal with the recycling of millions of solar panels and batteries that are currently being imported into South Africa.”

The Challenge: Millions of discarded panels and batteries in a decade
Williams-Wynn says there’s now an estimate of between 20 million and 25 million solar panels in the country after the recent influx. Most have an expected lifespan of about 20 years and according to Williams-Wynn, South Africa should be ready for mass recycling in about a 10 to 15 years’ time. “That is when we will see thousands of panels having to be replaced with new ones, and when recycling the old products correctly will become critically important.”

He explains that one of the challenges with solar panel waste is that they are banned from landfills, as they are potentially hazardous to both human and environmental health.

"We need to adopt alternative waste management solutions, such as recycling, refurbishing and repairing, or reusing them in lower-demand applications," he continues, adding that emphasis needs to be placed on the waste management of the batteries used in solar systems as well.

“I believe this to be the bigger challenge,” Williams-Wynn warns. “The batteries in household solar panels are lithium iron phosphate batteries, also known as LFP (lithium ferrophosphate) batteries. The only material in this battery that has some value when recovered is lithium. The iron and phosphate of such low value that it’s not really economically viable to try and recover them.”

Furthermore, the product is highly flammable. “And once that fire starts, it is self-sustaining,” he warns. “They don’t need oxygen to burn, and even when smothering burning batteries with foam they can continue to burn.”

The Solution: Adherence and Power of the Customer’s Voice

The success or failure of South Africa's solar waste story will depend on how responsibly we operate in the here and now, Williams-Wynn notes.

“The methods for properly disposing of and recycling panels and batteries are constantly developing and improving - but if we do nothing now, we could face a catastrophe later.

There is simply not enough adherence to the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) regulations which took effect in 2021 and hold producers (which includes manufacturers, importers, distributors and retailers) accountable for the end-of-life management of their products,” he says. “There are many reasons for this, including expenses, control and enforcement, but in the end, the environment suffers - and it will be everyone’s problem in future.”

According to Williams-Wynn, both the general public and solar installers have the ability to change things.

“Customers often don't realise the collective power that they have. To ensure that our solar and battery producers are complying with the EPR regulations, we must all exert pressure on them. If that happens, South Africa will be equipped and ready when the solar waste wave strikes in a few years.”

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One of the most hotly contested days of the Cowan House calendar is the Grade 7 Go Kart race and the 2023 teams did not disappoint.

It is not often that the same team claims the Stig Award for creativity and workmanship as well as the Winner’s Trophy, but this year Team “Burnout” managed to pull this off. Well done to Ross Harvey, Sophie Clark, Matthew Godbold, Max Marshall, Inati Ngcobo and Hannah Howes.

Until the back straight of the last lap, it was touch and go between them and Team “Gang Gang Gravity” (Callum Dreyer, Lily Perry, Kinsley Broad, Ben Franz and Angie van Niekerk).

To close off the morning, the male and female staff took on the interns, with the staff teams taking top honours once again.

SES Hilton is a sustainable energy solutions business specializing in customizable, alternative, adaptive power and energy systems for families and businesses. You can read about some of their client's experiences here. Call 073 966 0651.

On Tuesday 21 November 2023, the Laddsworth Boys and Girls brought the competitive swimming season to a close with a Gala at Howick Prep. Well done to both teams for the great results, especially the Girl's A Team, finishing in first place.

Thank you to everyone for your hard work and commitment this year, and thank you for always "Aiming High".

With the scorching heat and humidity at play, it's important to help your furbabies adjust. Heat stroke is a real concern, here are some tips to help manage the heat. Be wary for signs of heat stroke:

Excessive Panting:
Keep an eye out for heavy, rapid panting – more than usual for the given temperature.

Lethargy:
If your pet appears unusually sluggish or unresponsive, it could be a sign of heat-related distress.

Drooling:
Excessive drooling, more than usual, may indicate your pet is struggling to regulate its body temperature.

Elevated Temperature: 

Red or Pale Gums:
Check your pet's gums; they may appear either unusually red or pale.

Vomiting or Diarrhoea:
Heat stroke can lead to gastrointestinal upset. Look out for vomiting or diarrhoea.

Unsteadiness or Collapse:
If your pet seems unsteady on its feet or collapses, seek immediate veterinary assistance.

If you observe any of these signs, it's crucial to act swiftly. Move your pet to a cooler environment, offer water, and seek professional advice from your local vet. Prevention is key, so in warm weather, prioritise shade, hydration, and limited outdoor activity during peak temperatures.

More about Hilton Veterinary Hospital

A SILVER LINING

Singakwenza Early Childhood Education was awarded “Social Enterprise of the Year 2023” at the Pietermaritzburg and Midlands Chamber of Business event on the 17th of November. The judges took into account their governance, ethics, financial stability, growth, impact on their beneficiaries, collaboration with others, and health and safety protocols.
The team at Singakwenza are honoured by this award and deeply grateful to every person involved in the organisation for helping them to constantly strive to be the best they can be. www.singakwenza.co.za

Pictured here Left to right: Linda Hill (Project Coordinator and Fundraiser), Julie Hay (Founder and Executive Director), Colin David (From Mi7 – main sponsor of the event).

 

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