Friday, November 25, 2011

{ scramble for africa }


Spotted this on a friend's facebook wall, it's slightly outdated (stats are from 2007-2009) but it makes a point. Check out the original post by Mo Ibrahim here. Very scary stuff, so much for food security, you usually need your own land for that, it's like a modern day Scramble for Africa, only a little more under the radar than the 1884 Berlin Conference! Stealthy. Would love to know what the stats would be for South Africa, think that's be my next little project.

Monday, November 21, 2011

{ cop 17 : saving tomorrow today }



Despite the fact that many argue that the science of "climate change" is still up for debate, what's clear as day is that our cities are growing rapidly and there will come a time when there will be too many people for the Earth to sustainably support, and "climate change" is one symptom of this overpopulation and increasing resource consumption.

With just one week to go, the Congress of Parties or COP is heading to the shores of Durban for it's 17th sitting, from 28 November - 9 December 2011. The aim of the conference is provide a platform the for 194 member states to discuss ways for reducing carbon emissions, and encouraging wealthier carbon emitting states to limit their carbon outputs in an attempt to mitigate the "greenhouse effect".

Find out more about COP17 here, and follow the live blog and twitter stream here. After the successes and diappointments of Copenhagen (COP15) and Cancun (COP16), the outcomes of the conference are highly anticipted - here's hoping it's more than just a talkshop.

While the conference is looking at "high level" political solutions to the spectre of climate change, real mitigation and real change starts with you. Lower your carbon footprint, reduce, reuse, recycle. Be the change.

Image: Mail and Guardian Online

{ appelkoos en wyn }



An apricot picking weekend can be a dangerous thing, coupled with the beauty of Calitzdorp and the eight port wine cellars in the area, it's simply an excuse to get out of Oudtshoorn for a few days to enjoy a lekker kuier under the Klein Karoo sun - before it gets too hot! Running from the 2-4 December 2011, the Calitzdorp Apricot and Wine Weekend, is a great way to get into the holiday spirit. 

Apricot picking is a great family outing, and the De Krans wine farm is open for picking from the 23 Nov - 7 Dec (at R3.90/kg it's a deal), but for the full Klein Karoo experience stay the night, check out the fishing competition at the Calitzdorp Dam, take a historical tour on donkey cart tours through town, try a "pitspoeg" competition at the Calitzdorp Cellar, before sitting in on the organ recital at the NG Kerk, and round things off with some plaasmusiek at Die Bosvarkie Bush Pub. For more info find the program here.

A closing note for those who think ahead, based on her apricot pickings, a friend of mine makes enough apricot jam and chutney to last her family a year!

Images: Calitzdorp Port & Wine Festival

Monday, November 7, 2011

{ liveable cities conference - cape town }



Excited to attend the World Town Planning Day Conference Conference this week! The conference is hosted by the City of Cape Town once every two years, and really is a great networking opportunity for a young candidate planner such as myself, but it's also a space to get a real feel for what the pressing planning issues are in the Western Cape and South Africa generally.

This year's gathering is entitled "Liveable Cities: Urbanising World", really stressing the critical role cities will play for the future of our planet - that's the power of good design.

Friday, November 4, 2011

{ vote for table mountain! }


Have you voted?! If not, and even if you have, you there's one more week left - ie. 7 days to get your vote in! Make it happen. There're a few ways to do it, (1) SMS ‘Table’ to 34874 (SMS costs R2, and you can send as many as you like - generosity please); (2) vote on MXit; (3) online, or (4) on facebook. No excuses please.

Click here, to find out more about the bid to get Table Mountain shortlisted to become one of the New 7 Natural Wonders of the World.

Image: Table Mountain