insert_link Africa Research into Polymer biodegradation studies Dr Julia Puseletso Mofokeng, from the UFS’s Department of Chemistry, is doing research into biodegradable polymers for application in disposable product packaging. BLOEMFONTEIN, 1 October 2024: A researcher from the University of the Free State (UFS) is contributing to the fight against plastic pollution through her research into biodegradable polymers – large, chain-like molecules – as a more environmentally friendly alternative to petroleum-based plastics. Plastic pollution is a global […] todayOctober 2, 2024 27
insert_link Environment Drought lowers Fish River Canyon water levels Namibia Wildlife Resorts will conduct a clean-up at the Fish River Canyon this weekend to mark the end of the hiking season. NWR spokesperson Nelson Ashipala said that drought conditions have lowered water levels, pushing the Ministry of Environment to deploy water marshals to maintain a steady supply. todaySeptember 12, 2024 36
insert_link Africa Mysterious African manatees inspire a growing chorus of champions By Petro Kotzé, via Mongabay As a young student, Aristide Kamla had “big plans” when he traveled to Lake Ossa in Cameroon to conduct his master’s degree fieldwork with the little-known African manatee. He was hoping for a manatee count and a management plan to come out of the expedition on the roughly 4,000-hectare (10,000-acre) lake. But securing grants was difficult for this budding researcher, so his first funder […] todaySeptember 10, 2024 29
insert_link Local Capricorn foundation commits to rhino conservation efforts with purchase of rhino guardianship certificate The Capricorn Foundation has affirmed its dedication to environmental conservation by becoming one of the first organisations to invest in the innovative Rhino Guardianship Certificate program. By purchasing a certificate from the Save the Rhino Trust Namibia (SRT), the Foundation has demonstrated its commitment to preserving critically endangered rhinoceros populations. The Rhino Guardianship Certificate is a recent effort by Save the Rhino Trust Namibia, in partnership with Wadappt, […] todayMay 2, 2024 22
insert_link Africa South Africa’s crucial water supplies from Lesotho: what the six-month shutdown means for industry, farming and residents By Ifedotun Aina, University of Cape Town The main water supply to South Africa’s economic hub, greater Johannesburg in the Gauteng province, and to the country’s breadbasket in the Free State, is scheduled to be cut off for six months. Maintenance work on the 37 kilometre Lesotho Highlands Water Project tunnel is due to begin in October 2024. Ifedotun Victor Aina, a senior researcher at the Water […] todayApril 8, 2024 23
insert_link Environment Opuwo hosts commemoration of World Wetlands Day and World Water Day 2024 The Ministry of Agriculture, Water, and Land Reform, together with its partners, will join the rest of the world in commemorating World Wetlands Day and World Water Day. This year's commemoration of these two significant days will be hosted in Opuwo from March 12th to March 14th. Here’s Ministry spokesperson Simon Nghipandulwa. todayMarch 12, 2024 36
insert_link Environment Orca whales trapped in drift ice in northern Japan About 10 Orca whales are trapped in drift ice in far northern Japan. According to local officials, the pod was seen through a small gap in the ice about one kilometer off the coast of Hokkaido. todayFebruary 7, 2024 42
insert_link Environment Microplastics found in Nile River’s tilapia fish: new study A fisherman on the River Nile. Khaled Desouki/AFP via Getty Images Dalia Saad, University of the Witwatersrand The Nile is one of the world’s most famous rivers. It’s also Africa’s most important freshwater system. About 300 million people live in the 11 countries it flows through. Many rely on its waters for agriculture and fishing to make a living. The Nile’s two main tributaries, the Blue Nile and the White […] todayFebruary 7, 2024 15
insert_link Business / Economics Innovating for Impact: driving positive change through financial solutions By Mignon du Preez, Group Marketing, Public Affairs and Sustainability Executive, Old Mutual Namibia In Namibia, making a real impact with financial solutions is a shared endeavour that requires collective action, innovative thinking, and a deep understanding of our people's needs. As a united force within the financial services industry, we bear a collective responsibility to lead the way toward a better future for everyone. At the forefront […] todayFebruary 1, 2024 2