Hadeda News - 26 May 2023

Keimoes Seven-year-old Sewage Spill And Counting

he DemocraticAlliance is hopeful that the SouthAfrican Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) conducting an investigation into a sevenyear-old sewage spill in Keimoes will ultimately compel the Kai !Garib municipality to finally address the issue.

The DAfirst reported the sewage spill to the municipality in 2016, after we became aware of a blocked drain and overflowing sewage in the veld. Over the years, the spill has transformed into a filthy lake.

The growing spill has become a health and safety hazard to the residents of Ward 6, especially between Catherine and Margareth Streets, where the sewage runs behind their houses.The sewage river has caused pools to form in pedestrian walkways. Children

are exposed and are forced to find their way around them. Sewage has also started to invade the homes of residents, who can no longer bear the putrid smell, which makes it hard to eat and even sleep.

The situation is unhygienic, unsafe and undignified. It is also a violation of resident’s basic human rights to a clean and safe environment.

Despite having subsequently reported the spill to the municipality and the relevant director on numerous occasions, attempts to get the drain unblocked have been ignored.

The DAsubmitted a complaint to the SAHRC last year. We are pleased that this matter is formally under investigation. I personally accompanied a member of the SAHRC to the

site of the sewage spill yesterday and can attest to their utter disbelief that this spill still fails to be attended to by the municipality

There is no valid excuse for Kai !Garib municipality, which possesses the necessary equipment and manpower, to continue turning a blind eye to this environmental crisis.

The DAwelcomes the

SAHRC’s response to our calls for an intervention. We hope that the additional pressure from this Chapter 9 institution, will force the municipality to finally take responsibility for its failing sanitation unit and also see it held accountable for being complicit in causing harm to residents and contaminating environment. - Issued by Charntell Maasdorp, CllrKai !Garib municipality

5

Tegnieke: boeiende stories!

van Welbekende Gepubliseerde Skrywer - Annerle Barnard

Bloot net omdat die superintendent die nuwe bandiet wil sien, moet hy hierdie sel — waar selfs runderpes met rubberstewels loop — trotseer

Beide voorbeelde beskryf hoe ‘n gevangene geboei word, maar elke keer vanuit ‘n heel ander perspektief.

Daar is verskillende maniere waarop jy perspektief uniek kan maak:

Misterie

wat ‘n bron van konflik is.

5. Kort tydraamwerk

Enige skrywer vrees ‘n storie wat uitrafel en momentum verloor. Daar is egter maniere om dit te verhoed. Een van my persoonlike gunstelinge kom uit die draaiboekwêreld en staan bekend as in media res, oftewel arriveer laat en waai vroeg. Die ander belangrike tegniek om te oorweeg, is Hemingway se ysberg-teorie.

Arriveer laat?

Soms voel dit dalk asof jou storie nie vlot wil verloop nie. Daar is 5 tegnieke wat jy kan aanwend om jou storie interessanter te maak.

5Tegnieke: boeiende stories!

1.Aksie as fondament vir die narratief

‘n Mens dink dikwels ‘n goeie storie moet interessante, vloeiende sinne en pragtige woorde hê. Die gevaar is dat ‘n mens in ellelange beskrywings kan vasval wat niks tot die storie bydra nie. Wanneer jou storie die moment waarin dit afspeel, vasvang, bereik jy veel meer

Hoe doen jy dit?

Wanneer jy lus is om iets te beskryf, dink aan ‘n manier om dit via ‘n handeling te beskryf, m.a.w. WYS, MOENIE VERTELNIE.

Hoe doen ‘n mens dit prakties?

Vertel: Martin kry koud. Hy dra ‘n groen serp en ‘n parka.

Wys: Martin vryf sy hande teen mekaar Toe hy oor die straat stap, draai hy sy serp stywer om sy nek en trek die parka se kappie oor sy kop.

Lydende vorm: Ek is seergemaak deur sy opmerking.

Bedrywende vorm: Sy opmerking maak my seer.

Wanneer jy in die lydende vorm skryf, benodig jy meer woorde om dieselfde te sê. Dit skep ook ‘n onnatuurlike afstand tussen die karakters en die handeling.

3.Aktiveer jou sintuie

Lesers is daaraan gewoond om te lees hoe iets lyk of klink, maar ‘n mens kan diepte skep deur van die ander sintuie ook gebruik te maak. Hoe ruik dit by die straatmark? Wat proe jy daar en hoe voel die teksture onder jou vingers?

4. Perspektief

Kies ‘n unieke perspektief. In ‘n toneel tussen ‘n gevangene en ‘n tronkbewaarder, beskryf jy die toneel vanuit die gevangene of the tronkbewaarder se perspektief?

Gevangene:

‘n Misterieuse karakter is ‘n karakter wat die leser nie heeltemal kan deurgrond nie. Dink aanThe Great Gatsby Indien Gatsby self (i.p.v Carraway) die verteller was, was hy as karakter minder misterieus.

Deur die oë van die fokaliseerder

Wanneer jou leser ‘n nuwe en onbekende wêreld (byvoorbeeld fantasie, of wetenskapsfiksie, soos Spel) deur die oë van die fokaliseerder beleef, ontdek jou leser hierdie nuwe wêreld stelselmatig en sal die eksposisie die leser boei.

Gooi lesers aan die diep kant in

Goeie skryfwerk maak dinge nie noodwendig altyd maklik vir die leser nie. Soms bring ‘n fokaliseerder wat die binnekringe verstaan ‘n interessante perspektief. Dink byvoorbeeld aan ‘n karakter wat deel is van ‘n geheime organisasie en die binnewerking hiervan verstaan.

Wanneer jou storie in die middel van die gebeure begin, het jy die leser se aandag. Daar is geen lang, vervelige inleiding en verduideliking nie en die eksposisie word deel van die stygende aksie.

Waai vroeg?

Moenie die einde van die toneel holrug ry nie. Los die leser met ‘n vraag of twee wat later beantwoord word. Sodoende hou jy jou leser se aandag.

Let wel: literêre fiksie wat op atmosfeer fokus, sal nie by hierdie tegniek baat nie.

Die ysberg-teorie?

2. Gebruik die bedrywende vorm

Hierdie is ‘n praktiese voorbeeld om die goue reël betreffende wys, vs. vertel te illustreer. Vermy die lydende vorm (passief) en gebruik die bedrywende vorm (aktief).

Tom Jones se hande span styf toe die koue metaal van die boeie om sy gewrigte klamp. Sy nekhare rys. Hy voel die oë op sy rug. Die vraag is: aan wie behoort dit? Vriend of vyand?

Tronkbewaarder:

Martin Steenberg slaan die boeie om die nuwe gevangene se gewrigte. Hy haal deur sy mond asem. Weet hierdie bandiet ooit hoe ‘n stort lyk?

Kontras

‘n Kontrasterende karakter (foil character) verskaf dikwels ‘n interessante perspektief omdat hierdie tipe karakter sekere karaktereienskappe van die protagonis belig. Die eienskappe van die kontrasterende karakter word gebruik om dié van die protagonis mee te belig. Gewoonlik het die twee karakters heeltemal verskillende waardestelsels,

Met ‘n ysberg kan ‘n mens slegs die deel bokant die water sien. Jy weet egter van die deel onder die water, selfs al kan jy dit nie sien nie. Skrywers moet hulle karakters se hele agtergrond ken, maar moenie die leser daarmee bombardeer nie. Sekere dinge word gesuggereer of geïmpliseer (die deel onder die water) en wanneer jy inligting bietjies-bietjies aan jou leser bekendmaak, hou jy die leser se aandag.

Voorbeeld: In Sindikaat weet die leser dat Paul Rudman op onwettige goedere afgekom het. Wat presies hierdie smokkelgoed behels, word (met rede) eers aan die einde van die boek bekendgemaak.

5Tegnieke: boeiende stories! Lekker skryf!

Wenke

Manie’s Bistro

Resep Danksy Manie’s Bistro - Master Chef

Lamsvleis Brediesop:

Deur Barbara

Joubert 04 Julie 2012

Ek maak graag boontjiesop met lamskenkels, maar dis deesdae nogal duur. Bredievleis werk net so lekker

(6 porsies)

BENODIG:

30 ml olyfolie

1 kg lamsbredievleis (stewing meat)

1 groot wortel, in klein blokkies gesny

1 selderystingel, in skyfies gesny

2 knoffelhuisies,

fyngekap 1 lourierblaar

Braai tot groente sag is.

1 blik (410 g) gekapte tamaties

3 blikke (400 g elk) borlottibone, gedreineer 1500 ml beesvleisaftreksel

5 ml gemengde droë kruie

1 ui, fyngekap sout en varsgemaalde swartpepe

MAAK SO:

Verhit olyfolie in groot kastrol. Braai vleis tot bruin. Voeg wortel, seldery, knoffel en ui by

Voeg bone, tamaties, lourierblaar, aftreksel en kruie by. Geur met sout en peper Maak kastrol toe met deksel en prut minstens 6 uur. Roer elke nou en dan. Sit voor met gremolata.

Wenk

As die sop te dik is na jou smaak, kan jy nog water byvoeg. is dit te loperig, kan jy dit ’n ruk lank sonder deksel laat prut.

Bron: Facebook / NOU BRAAI ONS!!!

1.Op Pad na Grysberg is ‘n epiese fantasie. In watter genre skryf jy gewoonlik?

hoofstuk.

5. Het jy die hoofstukke voor joune vooraf gelees?

2. Noem asb. ‘n paar ander titels van boeke/draaiboeke wat jy geskryf het.

Ek skryf meestal jeugverhale en misdaadfiksie. Dus was hierdie iets anders vir my. Halley se komeet (historiese jong volwasse/oorgangsfiksie) Ek het dit ook vertaal in Engels, Halley's Comet. Wolk, Roet (jeugverhale), en Die Wet van Gauteng (misdaadfiksie).

3. Hoe het jy by die projek betrokke geraak? Stefaans het my gevra toe hy my genooi het om deel te wees van die Sanctuary Boekfees.

4. Watter hoofstuk het jy geskryf en tot watter genre behoort jou hoofstuk?

Hoofstuk 5. Dis 'n avontuur-

Ja, ek het hoofstukke 1-3 gekry en toe hoofstuk 4 waarna ek 'n week gehad het om my hoofstuk te voltooi.

6. Het jy vooraf geweet hoe die laaste hoofstukke in die roman lyk of was dit vir jou ‘n verrassing? Dit was 'n verrassing!

7. Hoe het dit vir jou gevoel om deel van ‘n projek te wees, eerder as om iets op jou eie aan te pak? Dit was baie anders. Ek het dit geniet maar dis moeilik om beheer prys te gee. Dit het my 'n geleentheid gegee om my self te toets in die ongewone en daarvoor is ek dankbaar

8. Sal jy dit oorweeg om in die toekoms iets

soortgelyks saam met ander skrywers aanpak? Ek sal as my skryf- en werkskedule dit toelaat. Dit was pret.

9. Hoe het jy dit gevind om saam met skrywers van ander genres te werk? Dit was die beste deel. Wat 'n unieke geleentheid.

Madelein Rust, Dibi Breytenbach, Annerle Barnard, Sidney Gilroy, Elsa Winckler, Hannes Barnard, Stefan Enslin, DuaneAslett, Jan Vermeulen, Henk Breytenbach, Didi Potgieter, Brian Fredericks, Ferdie Swanepoel, Erla Diedericks, René van Zyl, Christelle Van Rooyen Wessels, Irna van Zyl en Kerneels Breytenbach is van die skrywers

wat saamgeskryf het.

22 van die land se voorste skrywers in verskillende genres, het hul tyd en talente ingespan om saam aan ’n enkele roman te skryf.

Hannes Barnard

Modern Humans Arose After 2 Distinct Groups In Africa With Namas Playing an Integral Role in the DNA

Modern humans arose after a complex history of intermingling between ancestors on at least two different but closely related evolutionary branches, a new study suggests.

While these genetically distinct branches had divided, people on each branch continued to occasionally mix over time, the researchers found.

The new results upend previous suggestions that our species may have interbred with extinct relatives inAfrica who had significantly different anatomy from us. What's more, it jettisons the idea that humans evolved from a single river branching off from our closest relatives.

"It is exciting that people are starting to model these more complex models and that datasets are becoming available to do this," Carina Schlebusch, a population geneticist at Uppsala University in Sweden who did not take part in this research, told Live Science.

Evolving over time

Our species, Homo sapiens, arose inAfrica more than 300,000 years ago.The first waves of modern humans began leavingAfrica at least 194,000 years ago. Outside the continent, modern humans sometimes interbred with their now-extinct relatives, such as Neanderthals and Denisovans, whose ancestors departedAfrica long before modern humans did.

These recent discoveries raised the possibility that our species may have also interbred with "ghost lineages" withinAfrica — ancient relatives of modern humans not currently known of in the fossil record. Some researchers suggested that H. sapiens may have even interbred with ancient species significantly anatomically

different from modern humans, such as Homo naledi, one of the most recently discovered extinct human species.

To shed light on this possibility, scientists analyzed modern human genomes from southern, eastern and westernAfrica.The study included newly sequenced genomes from 44 members of a southernAfrican group known as the Nama.The Nama are members of the Khoe-San people, who speak a language based on clicking sounds and possess exceptional levels of genetic variants distinct from other modern humans, suggesting their ancestors may have split from those of other modern humans long ago.

The team found that modern humans inAfrica may descend from two or more genetically distinct streams that divided but whose individuals continued to sporadically mate over time.

The earliest signs the researchers could identify of modern humans diverging into multiple groups in Africa happened about 120,000 to 135,000 years ago, with one population splitting off to become the ancestors of the Nama. Still, before that split, the genetic variation seen in H. sapiens suggests our species consisted of two or more genetically distinct human populations that had been interbreeding for hundreds of thousands of years.

The differences between these genetically distinct groups would likely have emerged because "Africa is a large continent," study co-senior author Simon Gravel, a population geneticist at McGill University in Montreal, told Live

Science. Distance, geographical obstacles and social barriers would likely have helped keep these groups physically separated for the most part, and they would have diverged genetically over time, he explained.

In addition, "there were also many changes in climate," study co-author Tim Weaver, a professor in the Department ofAnthropology at the University of California, Davis, told Live Science.The way in which rainfall or temperature levels may have risen and fallen over time "would have reduced or increased geographic barriers to human migration."

However, the researchers stressed the differences between these ancient groups would have been "almost as low as seen between contemporary human populations," Gravel said. These new findings suggest modern humans likely didn't interbreed with H. naledi or other significantly anatomically different groups — at least, not in any way they could detect in contemporary humans. "It is interesting that the new study does

not find support for such interbreeding, since "we know from paleoanthropology that our likely ancestors coexisted with anatomically archaic looking forms, such as the populations represented by the Kabwe skull and H. naledi," Schlebusch said. Instead, the new model of interbreeding with relatively anatomically similar groups may better explain the genetic variation seen in modern humans.The researchers suggested about 1 to 4% of genetic differences in modern human populations may come from this prehistoric intermingling inAfrica.

In the future, ancient DNA recovered from fossils inAfrica may hopefully provide direct ways to test this new model, said Omer Gokcumen, an anthropological genomicist at the University at Buffalo in NewYork, who did not take part in this research. "I am excited to see this discussion evolving — no pun intended — in the near future when more ancient genomes become available," Gokcumen told Live Science.

NOORD KAAP TUINE

A Nama girl in Northern Cape province, South Africa. The Nama have exceptionally high levels of genetic diversity and were included in the new modeling study on the evolution of humans. (Image credit: Ariadne Van Zandbergen via Alamy Stock Photo)

Game Farmers Are Making Big Effort To Protect Pangolins From Electric Fencing

It is reported that in the past decade, more than 1 million wild pangolins have been trafficked and killed.This is approximately 300 per day.

But game farmers in SouthAfrica are making a concerted effort to help save these endangered animals.

Electric fences are wildly used by game farmers to prevent movement of large animals on their reserves but can result in the electrocution of smaller animals like pangolins.The organisation SavePangolins reports that this results in the deaths of more than 1 000 pangolins annually

Anew project launched by Pangolin Friendly Farm Fencing and led by Pangolin.Africa is aiming to help change this.

ELECTRIC FENCING CAN RESULTINTHE DEATHS OF SMALLERANIMALS

These fences cause a major problem for theTemmick’s ground pangolin, which is native to SouthAfrica. Because they are bipedal and often walk on their two hind legs the fences are lethal.Apangolin’s protecting from prey is to roll into a ball –however when they with electric fencing, this pangolin ends up wrapping itself around the live

wire, which often leads to death. Electrical fencing also poses a significant threat to other wildlife species as well, including tortoises, snakes, chameleons, and small antelope.

According to the organisation, SavePangolins, Pangolin.Africa is working in collaboration with Tikki Hywood Foundation, the Kalahari Wildlife Project – and funded by SavePangolins, to implement a groundbreaking new system of electrical fencing that would prevent accidental electrocution of pangolins and other wildlife.The project includes various study sites and habitats around SouthAfrica where they will be testing and monitoring the new fencing technology for a minimum of 12 months while recording pangolin and other animal behavior to ensure its effectiveness.

ALLTHE PARTNERSARE WORKINGTO IMPROVE CURRENTELECTRIC FENCING PROBLEMS

The project hopes to reduce and eradicate pangolin-related deaths and their are hopes that the project will create a new precedent for future fencing to include pangolin-friendly measures as standard practice.

Project study sites have already been selected for field trials and

these includeTimbavati Private Nature Reserve in Limpopo Province, and Glen Lyon Kalahari Nature Reserve and several livestock farms in the Northern Cape Province of SouthAfrica. These sites represent the various habitats and land uses present in SouthAfrica and are thus ideal for testing the new system. Installation has already taken place at most of the sites and monitoring of these systems has begun.

THEREARE FOUR SPECIES OF PANGOLINS IN SOUTH AFRICA

In total there are eight species of pangolins – four species in South Africa and four species in China, the Phillipines, India and Sunda (in South-EasternAsia).All of these species face declining numbers in the wild due to illegal trading. In 2016, the 186

countries affiliated with the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) – the treaty that regulates the international wildlife trade – voted to ban the commercial trade in pangolins.

Pangolins are poached for, amongst others, the use in traditional Chinese medicine. For many years, theAsian species were the primary target of poachers and traffickers.The decline in wild pangolins in these regions have caused smugglers to turn to poachAfrican pangolins. In two record-breaking seizures in the space of a week inApril 2019, Singapore seized a 14.2-ton shipment and and a 14ton shipment of pangolin scales—from an estimated 72,000 pangolins—coming from Nigeria.

2023 Kalahari Bundu Bash Flying Adventure

And then there was the 2023 Kalahari Bundu Bash Flying Adventure, a fly-in gathering of aviators and their aircraft on a salt pan in the middle of nowhere in the incredible Kalahari desert region of South Africa.The venue, Koppieskraal Pan, is a privately owned 13km long mud and salt pan located 63km southwest ofTwee Rivieren, the gateway to the KgalagadiTransfrontier Park, and adjacent to the better known Hakskeen Pan, the venue for the Bloodhound land speed record attempt.The smooth flat surface of the pans makes for a perfect landing strip in any wind direction, so pretty much any aircraft can join the gathering.

Organised by the Mocke family in Upington, the Bundu Bash has been running every couple of years since 1987 and then, for many reasons, stopped a decade ago after the 2013 event.This year the next generation of the family, siblings Eben Mocke, Gavin Mocke and Yolande Mocke-Combrinck, decided to revive the event and

pulled off a remarkable gathering of 79 different aircraft and 127 pilots and crew

Attendees bring their own tents and sleeping gear, and generally sleep next to their aircraft, but that is where the camping ends and the glamping starts...

There is a massive marquee tent setup with a full restaurant and bar inside, complete with white linen tablecloths and beautiful table decorations. Coffee and tea are available all day and a sumptuous breakfast, lunch and dinner are all included.The quality of the food was simply outstanding!And of course there are piping hot showers, flushing toilets and all the other amenities required, even charging stations for electronics and an ambulance and paramedics, thankfully not required. Over 40,000 litres of water and 12,000 litres of fuel have to be trucked in for the event together with everything else.The entire setup is dismantled and taken back to Upington afterwards, leaving the pan exactly as it was before the

event.The level of organisation and preparation required is actually quite mind-boggling, but the Mocke family were completely up for the challenge and this year's edition was just incredible.

So what's the whole point?Apart from just a love of aviation, the Mockes enjoy showcasing and sharing their magnificent part of the world with aviators from all over the country Three days spent flying over the beautiful red dunes of the Kalahari, spotting herds of iconic gemsbok, springbok, bat-eared foxes and a huge variety of other game and birds goes by far too quickly And the camaraderie and "gees" are also a major part of the event. Pilots being pilots, there is non stop talk about flying and aeroplanes. Almost everyone offers others a chance to fly their aircraft and I usually leave the event having flown a variety of planes and gyrocopters, also having given the same opportunity to many others.This is always such a diverse gathering of pilots with a

vast experience base and the opportunity to learn and grow as a pilot myself is a major drawcard.

All too soon the event is over and it's time to fly home again. The faster aircraft get home in just a few hours, while for others it is a full two days of flying just to get back.The Kalahari is a funny place, at first glance dry, barren and inhospitable, yet keeping you coming back for more. Several days after getting back to CapeTown, I keep finding my thoughts drawn to back those beautiful red dunes and fiery sunsets!

Amassive thank you to everyone who played a part in making this years event such a memorable occasion, from the organisers and their large team of helpers, to the people that flew in from far and wide and were the reason for the event itself, and of course to my wingmen on the journey to and from CapeTown, it was truly a pleasure flying with you guys!

-JeanTreston

The CEO and founder of Vital Veggie Garden - an agriculture and hydroponic fresh produce cultivation business - Michael Brooks, quit his job as an operational airline supervisor for EmiratesAirlines to pursue his passion in farming.

Today, as a first-generation farmer, his business supplies vegetables to Spar and fish for sushi to Checkers and Woolworths.

The 33-year-old cannabis and vegetation farmer has always had a passion for farming, and with little to no experience or funding, he quit his job and put all his money into his dreamand it has paid off.

"The reason I left was to start my own venture. I thought it was time to take a leap of faith. I spent all my money taking the risk and a leap of faith.Thirteen years later, I've never looked back," he told News24.

During his early days in the farming industry, Brooks secured his first farm in DeAar

in the Northern Cape.The farm constituted 9.2 hectares of land, but he used some 4.2 hectares of it for farming.

It also had 4 500 square metres of greenhouse space, where Brooks started farming several vegetables, including pumpkin, butternut, onions, watermelons, and more.

Late last year, Brooks moved to Johannesburg for some training in the field of cannabis.

Little did he know that he would end up securing a deal to take over another farmstead in Midrand.The farm has more than three hectares of land in total.

With so much land to his name, Brooks finally learned the ins and outs of hydroponics a year later.

He used this farming method to grow green, red, and yellow peppers, jalapenos, chillies, tomatoes, and other vegetables that can grow hydroponically

Falling in love with aquaponics

The next step was aquaponics, a food production system in which fish and plants cooperate to feed one another - and he would soon fall in love with it.

Brooks officially started the course last July, and now most of his farm in Midrand is run on aquaponics.

"It took me six years to do an aquaponics course, to see what it is all about, to make the change.After I completed the course, I kept asking myself why I was scared to make the move the entire time.

"This is everything I know. It's not outside the barriers of planting and cultivation.You're just combining your fish and plant into one system basically," Brooks told News24.

According to him, aquaponics was one of the cheaper methods of farming.

He conceded the initial cost for

setting up was expensive but once in place, the cultivation part was much more affordable. This because farmers spend less money on nutrients. What the fish supplement into the water is what the plants need.

"Instead of buying 15kg of nutrients, you buy 10kg of nutrients and that lasts for a couple of months. It's completely different with hydroponics," Brooks said.

More than anything, he added, "one gets attached to the fish because you're working with something that's living".

"You hatch the fish out; you grow them from the egg to full adult size.You actually get attached to them.They grow on you.

“You know exactly what's wrong in the system, when the fish are too hungry, when they are sick

CEO and founder of Vital Veggie Garden, Michael Brooks. Image: Supplied

Michael Brooks spaying foiler feed to boost growth. Image: Supplied

or when there's something wrong in the water.”

Partnering with retailers, giants in cannabis industry

In his aquaponics system, Brooks uses different types of fish, including rainbow trout and tilapia, one of which he supplies to the sushi market, particularly Woolworths and Checkers.

He also supplies a plethora of vegetables to retailers such as Spar

Given his strong background in the farming and cultivation of cannabis, Brooks approached Cheeba CannabisAfrica CannabisAcademy, a cannabis educator in SouthAfrica, in hopes of becoming a trainee and honing his skills as a grower

Little did he know they would see his potential and ask him to become one of the organisation's growing trainers since he already had the necessary permits to grow hemp and was running a thriving cannabis farm.

Brooks will now train Cheeba's

cannabis students following its recent launch of the Cheeba Cannabis and HempTraining Centre in Midrand.

Main drive

Having self-funded his business since he started in 2016, Brooks wants aspiring farmers to know they need to invest in themselves before expecting 'handouts' because sometimes they might not even come.

He also urges youngsters to consider growing in the agricultural sector

"When I look at people younger than me, I don't see the next generation of farmers, and that's a problem. My drive is to take people out of the communities and develop them in the agricultural sector," said Brooks.

"To show them that you don't need to get dirty every day You don't need to work in an open field with manure and compost to actually be in the agricultural sector. We want to get youngsters in the industry."News24

Hydroponic spring onion and lettuce.

Hemp grown inside a greenhouse.

Rugby Legend and Upington Teacher Passes

Mr MarkAlexander, the President of SARugby, paid tribute to former national player Piet James Pretorius, who sadly passed away over the weekend at the age of 92, as probably one of the oldest former SARU players.

Pretorius played at scrumhalf for North-West Cape, where his influence in establishing a club structure was immense, and he is regarded as one of the best players from that union. He played in 12 Rhodes Cup tournaments between 1950 and 1971 and received national colours in 1959 and 1963.

“Like so many of his contemporaries, ‘Pietie’could not qualify to represent SouthAfrica on the international stage due to the political climate of the time, but he was certainly good enough to play for the Springboks,” said Mr Alexander

“He played a massive role in bringing rugby to the communities of the Northern Cape and as a teacher in Upington, he was key to getting young players involved in the game.

“As a scrumhalf, he brought calmness, energy, and skills to his teams, but that was also how he

RIP Piet James Pretorius (1930-2023)

lived his life away from the field. He was a steadfast, dutiful, and balanced person who made a big contribution to his community

“Our thoughts are with his wife, his children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, family, friends and other loved ones in this very sad time. May you find solace in the memories of a great man.”

Welkom in Kalahari Lodge

De Beers was exploring for more diamonds in SouthAfrica that would extend its operations beyond the recently expanded Venetia mine in the country’s Limpopo province, said BusinessTimes over the weekend.

“People look at the long history of diamond mining in South Africa and sometimes do not appreciate the potential that we still have to explore for diamonds,” the newspaper cited Al Cook, CEO of the diamond group as having said

“We in De Beers have committed to continuing with that exploration,” said Cook. “That, to me, is the answer to the challenge of what we can do beyond what we have at the moment, and where else we can invest.The key to that is where else we can explore for diamonds.”

Cook was commenting at the opening of De Beers’new rough diamond sorting, sales and valuation facility in Sky Park Industrial, Kempton Park, Johannesburg.

Gwede Mantashe, South

Africa’s mines and energy minister, also attended the event. He expressed exasperation that De Beers had scaled back production from SouthAfrica. “You have left too many holes in the Northern Cape,” said Mantashe of De Beers.

“You cannot just leave all those holes and then disappear; something must happen, and they made some commitments. It cannot happen that you leave the Northern Cape, it cannot be,” BusinessTimes quoted Mantashe to have said.

“De Beers was in Kimberley, De Beers was in Kleinsee, De Beers was in Jagersfontein, De Beers was in Koffiefontein, De Beers was in Finsch Mine and De Beers was in the Northern Cape. It cannot happen that you leave the Northern Cape.”

Said Cook: “We understand the expectations that SouthAfrica has of De Beers, given the history and the size of our business. We are proud of the investments we are making at the moment”.

Asked for an update regarding the renewal of a sales contract

with the Botswana government, Cook said the agreement under discussion had to pass the “stand the test of time”.

Right now, we are listening carefully to what they are asking for and saying, ‘how can we come together to create an agreement that works for the government of Botswana, that works for the people of Botswana, and that works for De Beers’. I am confident we are going to get to an agreement that not only looks good in 2023 but stands the test of time,” said Cook.

De Beers and the Botswana government jointly own

Debswana, a diamondproducing company established 55 years ago.They are in talks to renew a 2011 marketing and sales agreement for the production of rough diamonds from Botswana through Debswana, which allows De Beers 75% of production.

The agreement came under fire in February from Botswana President Mokgweetsi Masisi, who threatened to walk away from the talks if Botswana did not get a bigger share of Debswana’s output by marketing outside the De Beers system, according to Reuters.

De Beers' Venetia diamond mine in South Africa's Limpopo province.

WELDINGSKILLS PROGRAMMES

Professor Justin Jonas, Professor of Physics and Electronics at the Rhodes University Department of Physics and Electronics, gave a lecture following his bestowal of the inaugural esteemed ViceChancellor’s DistinguishedAward (2020). In attendance were family and friends, students, and the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Sizwe Mabizela.

In Prof Jonas’lecture, titled “Karoo adventures of Ziggy Stardust”, he built on his 2003 inaugural lecture on “The Hazy Cosmic Jive” to highlight the unprecedented growth of radio astronomy in SouthAfrica and overAfrica over the past two decades, with Rhodes University playing a significant role.

He covered four main themes: the International Square Kilometre Array (SKA) Project, theAfrican SKAsite, the MeerKATtelescope, and the people involved. He began his lecture by recognising the “diverse cast that made this achievement possible”.

He followed this by acknowledging the role white male privilege has played in his life and his contribution to the SKAProject. When his family relocated to SouthAfrica in 1995 from the United Kingdom, they gained privileged middle-class status in the country solely based on the colour of their skin. He said that this privilege was a “direct consequence of the apartheid system that disadvantaged millions and dispossessed people for the benefit of a few”. Prof Jonas said, “I hope that I have used this privilege to good effect during my life.”

The history of radio astronomy at Rhodes University goes all the way back to 1959, when the first radio telescope inAfrica was established. Over time, the radio astronomy facilities expanded and by the time Prof Jonas

enrolled at the University, there was a small telescope located next to the Department of Physics and Electronics. In the 1970s Rhodes University partnered with Dr George Nicholson to transform a dish abandoned by NASAinto a radio telescope at the Hartebeesthoek RadioAstronomy Observatory (HartRAO) near Johannesburg.

Although modest by international standards, this telescope had a unique advantage - it was the only one inAfrica and also located in the southern hemisphere. Jonas and his team of students worked alongside Nicholson to contribute to the observatory by developing instrumentation, writing software, and utilising the telescope.Their efforts resulted in a map of the radio emissions from the southern sky, where the Milky Way is dominant.This was a challenging project that took a considerable amount of time, and it became a significant milestone in his journey.

Prof Jonas said he is a huge fan of David Bowie, especially his album “The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars”.The title of his inaugural lecture was inspired by one of his favourite tracks on the album called “Starman”, a song he played during his lecture.

The next part of the lecture focused on the SKAproject. Radio astronomy is a relatively young science, starting only about a century ago when Jansky discovered radio signals originating from the Milky Way in 1933. Unlike optical astronomy, which focuses on visible light, radio astronomy allows us to observe a different universe filled with extreme physics and cold temperatures.

After World War II, radar technology advancements greatly contributed to the development of radio astronomy The need for

larger instruments led to the conception of SKA, a global project requiring substantial resources and funding.The SKA consists of two types of elements: a low-frequency array and a midfrequency array, both being extensive arrays of antennas connected with electronic and computing systems to combine the individual signals.

Its purpose is to explore the universe’s evolution from the Big Bang to the present, tracing back the formation of stars and galaxies, studying dark matter and dark energy, and testing Einstein’s theories. Doing astronomy in SouthAfrica and Africa is significant not only for scientific progress but also for cultural and societal value. It aligns with the country’s strategy of mission-driven innovation, and leverages skills and technologies developed in various sectors, such as mining, energy, and defence.

In the early 2000s, the SALT optical telescope project had begun.Aworkshop was held to explore the ‘next big thing’in astronomy, and Prof Jonas was persuaded to participate and proposed that SouthAfrica join the international SKAproject that was already active. The proposal was accepted by the Department of Science andTechnology (DST) and the National Research Foundation (NRF) and Prof Jonas started representing SouthAfrica on the International SKASteering Committee. ASKASouthAfrica project office was established with Dr Bernie Fanaroff as Director, and Prof Jonas as technical and scientific lead. Prof Jonas presented a proposal to Cabinet on behalf of the project team in 2003, gaining support and approval to have SouthAfrica host the SKA. After an extensive study, a suitable site for the SKA was located in the central Karoo region of the Northern Cape province. The SKAsite competition led toAfrica and Australia being selected as dual sites, with SKA-mid allocated to Africa.

Prof Jonas described the development and construction of the MeerKATradio telescope on the Karoo, which is a precursor instrument for SKA-mid. The MeerKATproject provided a vehicle for developing SKA technologies and also preparing scientists, engineers and technicians for the SKA. Despite initial scepticism, they secured funding for the project, and developed collegial international partnerships that provided valuable inputs to the telescope design. MeerKATwas designed

and built in the Karoo using local industries, and the project was completed on time and within budget. The performance of the telescope exceeded the original specification because of design choices guided by expert opinion and a rational systems engineering methodology

The data rate produced by the MeerKATis comparable to the entire internet bandwidth worldwide, making the operation of the telescope a significant big data challenge.They rely on SouthAfrica’s largest supercomputer to analyse the data, which is stored on disk storage modules locally designed and produced. Due to electronic emissions, all the electronic equipment is buried underground in a shielded facility that serves as a protective hub for the equipment.The MeerKAThas surpassed all expectations, even capturing the best-ever image of the centre of our galaxy.

Prof Jonas has been involved in the development of the SARAO Human Capital Development Program designed to foster development of scientists, engineers, and technicians for MeerKATand the SKA, and also develop technologies related to radio astronomy This program includes providing support for Carnarvon High School by providing science and math teachers and upgrading their facilities to benefit the surrounding towns.

An important initiative close to his heart is the artisan training centre which plays a vital role in nurturing technical talent for telescope operations and also public and private enterprises in the Northern Cape.The Human Capital Development Program has led to the expansion of the SouthAfrican radio astronomy community than now numbers hundreds of individuals, through support for research groups, postgraduate supervisors and student bursaries at universities. The Rhodes University Centre for RadioAstronomyTechniques and Technologies (RATT), headed by Distinguished Professor Oleg Smirnov, is one of the initiatives supported.

Given his life-long achievements and their extraordinary and distinguished contribution to the intellectual work of the University, the sector, and the national and international community of scholars, Professor Justin Jonas is a well-deserved first awardee of the Vice-Chancellor’s DistinguishedAward, a prestigious award of the highest status in the University. - By

Bukamuso Sebata

[L-R] Acting DVC: Research, Innovation and Partnerships Prof Joanna Dames; Prof Justin Jonas; DVC: Academic and Student Affairs Prof 'Mabokang Monnapula-Mapesela; and Vice-Chancellor Prof Sizwe Mabizela

Professor Justin Jonas Receives Top Rhodes University Award For His Contribution To Radio Astronomy

Garage Dance Ensemble Performs Symbolic Rite Of Passage, 'crossing Oceans Inside’

Members of the Garage Dance Ensemble from Namaqualand delivered their !Nau for Now: Crossing Oceans Inside show on May 11 at the University of JohannesburgTheatre in Auckland Park.

!Nau for Now showcases a symbolic rite of passage of the Khoi and San people for Krotoa.

Krotoa !Goa/Gõas (1642-1674), a woman of theAmmaqua and Goringhaiqua people, was denied the “Hokmeisietyd” rite of passage after being taken from her community to work as a

handmaid for Maria van Riebeeck and translator for Jan van Riebeeck.

The performance was joined by Wulgurukaba Walkabouts, traditionalAboriginal dancers fromAustralia in solidarity as First Nation people.

The performance, supported by theAustralian High Commission, will travel to Bloemfontein, Cape Town and end at Stellenbosch University, where they will formally rename the RW Wilcocks building after Krotoa.

Inside'

A member of the Garage Dance Ensemble from Namaqualand performs alongside a member of the Wulgurukaba Walkabouts, a traditional Aboriginal dance group from Australia. Image: Alaister Russell

Members of the Garage Dance Ensemble from Namaqualand pour sand on the stage at the start of their performance to represent the land they come from. Image: Alaister Russell

The Garage Dance Ensemble is part of an organisation that teaches dance to members of their community of origin in Namaqualand. Image: Alaister Russell

Members of the Garage Dance Ensemble from Namaqualand perform at the University of Johannesburg Theatre. Image: Alaister Russell

Members of the Garage Dance Ensemble from Namaqualand perform at the University of Johannesburg Theatre. Image: Alaister Russell

Amember of the Wulgurukaba Walkabouts, traditional Aboriginal dancers from Australia, performs '!Nau for Now: Crossing Oceans

with the Garage Dance Ensemble from Namaqualand at the University of JohannesburgTheatre in Auckland Park. Image:Alaister Russell

The Forgotten Highway Revived In Victoria West

light on so many cultural groups, which helps to bring SouthAfricans closer together There is also an emotional and blood bond that results in the forgotten highway, because the theme of the route is Ancestral Journeys. SouthAfricans need to approach it with the necessary insight and sensitivity

resources near their towns, and pressure is growing for the mines to recognise heritage sites and to assist with heritage presentation. “People leave their backyard and do not know what heritage value is locked up in their villages” explains Macheoane.

The weekend of the 18th-21st May all roads in SouthAfrica led to Victoria West!

Alarge group of academics, intellectuals and stakeholders invested in the heritage and tourism sectors attended the “Forgotten Highway Summit” at the Melton Wold Guest farm, halfway between Loxton and Victoria West.

Stretching across all boarders of the country, a strong message was expressed to government on the importance of reviving a piece of forgotten history, and to emphasise the historical value of the forgotten highway and the impact of tourism on rural economy

The Karoo Development Foundation (KDF) is a non-profit organization with the aim of preserving the historical importance and value of towns in the arid areas of the Karoo and Kalahari.

The KDF promotes the economic potential of the Greater Karoo so that it can influence future government planning and expenditures.This is a new endeavour, as there has never been a coherent attempt to develop the economic potential of the Karoo.The purpose of KDF is to

motivate the creation of a developmental institution to represent the interests of the Karoo. Remarkably, the Department of Rural Development has now compiled a Karoo Development Strategy, and the National Department ofTourism is promoting tourism in the Karoo in a cohesive manner

The Forgotten Highway was the first route to connect the southernmost point ofAfrica with the interior to the north. It stretches over 1000 km (Tulbagh, Ceres, Matjiesfontein, Sutherland, Fraserburg, Loxton, Carnarvon, Vanwyksvlei, Prieska, Postmasburg, Douglas, Danielskuil, Kuruman). Between the mid-1700s and the mid-1800s, an increasing number of people travelled north, from the Cape Colony to the new frontier along the Orange River

At the Forgotten Highway Summit organised by the KDF, several speakers shed light on the crucial historical importance of this main route and how it laid a strong foundation between different racial groups, cultures, religions, and languages.Today there is still a powerful need to find our South African identity This Route sheds

All the speakers at the recent summit reached consensus that the Forgotten Highway made a great contribution to the social and economic infrastructure of the time, created connections between cultural groups, and created new forms of social cohesion. Various speakers' presentations were based on intensive archaeological, palaeontological, academic, and scientific research which at times provoked sensitive discussions.

In his speech, Reverend Johannes Stuurman from the Moffat Mission in Kuruman, mentioned that the government does not understand its role in relation to heritage and therefore undermines the economic value of tourism in many of the Northern Cape towns.There is a strong need to bring theTourism, Arts, Culture and Heritage sectors together

According to Caroline Ungersbock, the Forgotten Highway is not only a road map but also a map consisting of full stories and deep insights of the past. "Each town's unique economic power must be identified for tourist to tap in", Ungersbock emphasised; we must “make friends with history”. Thabiso Macheoane emphasized the great impact of mining, in particular, parts such as Postmasburg, Kathu, as well as Kuruman and the destructive impact of mining on heritage. However, local communities are starting to explore the heritage

Simo Mdala from theTsantsabane municipality, as a local economic development officer, focused on the role of the municipality with special reference to tourism and the economic power with which the brings to the towns.

The event also benefited from the participation of three officials of the National Department ofTourism, as well as Mr Fanie Minnie of the National Department of Rural Development.

The value of the SouthAfrican Heritage ResourceAgency's (SAHRA) role was also recognized, although many mining houses do not follow the strict criteria to obtain mining permits and important heritage areas remain in ruins as a result of large-scale mining operations.

The recent Forgotten Highway Summit successfully brought together 60 stakeholders from all the towns. It is clear that all role players must align their purposes and dedicate the alignment to the preservation and celebration of the heritage treasures embedded in SouthAfrica.This calibre of investment will aid to the revitalisation of towns.

Anyone who is interested in joining the Forgotten Highway Route project can send a whatsapp to Prof DoreenAtkinson on 071 401 2583.There are in fact now two whatsapp groups – one to share knowledge on heritage, and one to bring together Route activists.

Deligates attending the Forgotten High Way summit

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On mother's day we hosted a small Mother's Day Lunch where we not only donated 60 Mother's Day cups to the mothers in and around our community but also provided lunch.

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Business Booms For 'Boring' Podcasts

Benjamin Boster was driving in a car with his boss, trying to relay an exciting anecdote, when he discovered that his main talent as a storyteller lies elsewhere.

“He was like, ‘Ben, I’m sorry, your voice is so soothing that I just kind of fell asleep,’” recalls Boster, a 42year-old father of three.

Rather than take it as an insult, Boster, a salesman for a tech company in Salt Lake City, Utah, sensed a market opportunity

So in 2019, he created the I Can’t Sleep podcast, in which he employs his baritone voice to read Wikipedia entries for subjects as riveting as “cardboard,” “logistics” or “Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.”

“I bore you to sleep with my soothing voice,” he explains.

Boster’s show is one of a growing number of “sleepcasts” designed to calm the minds of frustrated insomniacs.Alongside indie podcasts like his, tech companies such as Headspace, Peloton Interactive and Fitbit have also entered the bedtime audio programming space. Collectively, these shows are pioneering a sort of inattention economy that reaches millions of late-night listeners every month.

While the shows are still small in terms of revenue, they're nonetheless helping transform the sleep sector — once dominated by mattress makers and medicines like melatonin andAmbien — into a central pillar, along with fitness and nutrition, of what McKinsey & Co. considers a $1.5 trillion global wellness market.

AHelpful Guide to Pre-Bedtime SnacksThat Won't Prevent a Good Night's Sleep

“Half of consumers around the world reported a desire for more products and services to meet the need for higher-quality slumber,” McKinsey concluded in a 2021 report, which found the overall wellness market expanding as much as 10% a year

The boom in sleep services comes at a moment in which millions of people are struggling to balance the demand for ever-greater productivity with the fact that sleep is a crucial component of mental and physical health.

Even before the pandemic, health experts warned that societies need to get more rest. In 2016, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that a third of US adults are sleep deprived, raising the risk of car crashes, heart disease and mistakes on the job.The Covid19 era made matters worse for many, heightening anxiety and stress levels to the point that it became even harder to fall and stay asleep, according to several studies.

The problem is especially acute for the 30% or so of people — including many teenagers — regarded as night owls. Despite a genetic disposition to be productive later in the day, they’re often forced to rise early, which can fuel sleep deficits and put them at higher risk of mood disorders and substance abuse, according to studies.

After decades as director of the child and adolescent sleep clinic at Flinders University inAdelaide, Australia, Michael Gradisar took a job last year as head of sleep science at Swedish software company Sleep CycleAB.

He recognised that the market for sleep wellness was growing quickly and wanted to ensure that the industry remains as close as possible to the latest science, he said.

Simply falling asleep is the most common challenge people face, according to Gradisar The classic case of the troubled sleeper is the person who lies awake thinking about everything and nothing.

After a while, they might look at the clock and start fretting that they won’t get enough sleep, which just makes things worse.The key is to recognise what’s happening and know how to deal with it, Gradisar says. “You can’t shut it off like a light switch,” he says. He adds: I tell people you can try to turn it down like a dimmer switch. One way to do that is to try to distract yourself from those worries. Like many of its competitors, Sleep Cycle’s app offers audio programming to do just that, including guided meditations and long, meandering stories told by celebrities such as heartthrob Swedish actorAlexander Skarsgård.

“My wife loves him whispering in her ear at night when she falls asleep,” Gradisar muses. “And I’m not jealous at all.”

While Sleep Cycle offers bedtime fictions, others prefer to stick with the facts — particularly dry ones.

Each week on her 45-minute Boring Books For Bedtime podcast, Floridabased Sharon Handy, who by day designs content for science and children’s museums, reads from public-domain works of history, science and philosophy as dreamy music plays in the background. She got the idea after her stepson asked her to read something a little less fun than the novel Black Beauty to put him to sleep. Her solution:Thomas Paine's 18th-century pamphlet Common Sense.

These days, Handy typically gets about 10 500 downloads for each new episode, and 260 000 total monthly plays. Last month, on the eve of USTax Day, she soothed listeners’nerves by intoning passages fromAdam Smith’s “The Wealth of Nations.”

Repetition is a popular strategy within the genre. On a recent episode of DrewAckerman’s Sleep With Me podcast, the upbeat host described his job as such: “I’m here to be your bore friend, your bore bae, your bore sib, your bore bud, your bore bestie,” he said. “Your friend in the deep dark night. Keep you company while you drift off. But if you can’t sleep, I’m here to keep you company, too.”

Getting good sleep 'may add years to your life’

Ackerman’s podcast, which gets about 3 million plays each month across its archive of 600 shows, carries echoes of talk-radio, which used to be the only thing that would help him fall asleep.

Toby Baier takes a similar approach on his German-language Einschlafen Podcast, which for 13 years has bored listeners with long digressions on everything from a Hamburg soccer team to his periodic viral infections to — quite often — the 18th-century philosopher Immanuel Kant.

For long-suffering insomniacs, finding the right show can make the difference between hours of tossing and turning and a good night’s rest.

On internet forums like Reddit, listeners debate the pluses and minuses of various podcasts — for instance, whether a host’s voice is soporific enough or if a program suffers from drifting into the realm of engaging.

James Ward has put a lot of thought into the blurry line between boring and interesting.

That tension is at the heart of his annual Boring Conference in London, which people keep attending despite his warnings that it’s a complete waste of their time and money

Past speakers have included a man named Peter Fletcher, who’s counted and documented all of his sneezes since 2007.

In 2018, Ward launched his own BBC Radio podcast,The Boring Talks, which for three years plumbed subjects such as pencils or lampposts that he described as “very interesting… maybe.”

Ward's goal wasn’t to put his listeners to sleep, though he didn’t mind if that was the outcome.

For his own bedtime needs, Ward enjoys listening to foreign language radio shows, which allow him to follow the cadences of speech without getting distracted by meaning. He’s not surprised by the fact that boring podcasts are getting popular

He explains: We live in a world that’s tragically not boring.

“Lots of people would like a world that’s actually a bit more boring and you weren’t constantly just doomscrolling the news, thinking, ‘Oh God, what now?’”

Which brings us back to Boster, the man who bored his boss to sleep.

He always knew he had a gift when it came to his voice.At Brigham Young University, where he got both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in vocal performance, he’d often skip big football games on campus to attend opera rehearsals or shows.

It was only after realising that he didn’t want to spend the rest of his life pursuing a stage career that he became a salesman.

But he never fully gave up on his dreams of show business. Not long after that fateful car ride, he watched an episode of the sitcom Parks and Recreation in which one of the characters goes on a farcically dull public radio program called Thoughts ForYourThoughts.

“I was like, ‘Oh crap, maybe I could try this. I’m already boring people to sleep, maybe I just use the radio,’” he recalls.

For his first episode in February 2019, Boster spent about 10 minutes reading the Wikipedia entry for “gilet,” which is, he explained, “a sleeveless jacket resembling a waistcoat or blouse.”

Setting BoundariesToAlleviate Stress

He got four listeners, and was excited. Over the coming year, he gained a loyal following, averaging about 15 000 total plays a month. And then the pandemic hit. Before long, his audience jumped by more than a factor of 10. “I remember people writing to me and saying, ‘I live alone in France, and your voice just kept me going when no one else was around,’” he recalls.

He also got heartfelt notes from people struggling with post-traumatic stress and anger management issues who were finally managing to fall asleep.

Among his most loyal listeners is a 7-year-old Vermont girl named Lilly who, according to her grandma, has fallen asleep to Boster's show every night for three years. “She calls me the man with the voice,” he says.

For now, the show relies on donations and revenue from ads, which play at the start of each episode so as not to startle listeners awake. Fans can also pay $3 a month to get an ad-free experience. Boster still has his day job, but he is considering ways to scale up.

He’s ruled out one thing, though: bringing experts on his show

“People don’t come here to hear about how sleep works,” he explains. “They come here to sleep.”

“Very fortunate to be given a pair of wheels by Upington Volkswagen whilst being home.” said Wiese

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AfrikaBurn/Burning Man Tankwa Karoo 2023

AfrikaBurn is an annual event that takes place in April at the Tankwa Karoo National Park in South Africa. It is a Burning Man regional event that is open to all. Take part in a culturally diverse experience that highlights unboundaried art creation through the celebration of life, love and unity The event has taken place since 2007 and continues to grow with the latest festival reaching a crowd of 13,000.

Each year, AfrikaBurn adopts a new theme that embodies the inspiration of the event’s artwork. However, the theme is not enforced and the rules of the event are quite simple. “Participate in a wild non-profit event that encourages selfefficacy through various expressions of art.”No money is allowed. Event organizers encourage participants to celebrate with transparency The AfrikaBurn does not have any vendors, branding, sponsors or anything for purchase. It centers around the gift of giving which is made possible through a wide array of artwork. Attendees are known to dress in elaborate costumes as they enjoy music and performances inside a temporary city of art.

Another cornerstone to this distinct event is the burning of the Clan sculpture. It is the physical representation of the spirit of AfrikaBurn and is made up of one torso, several heads and many legs. The design serves as a visual indication of unity for the festival’s members.

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