Support the Umthathi Project
The Umthathi Training Project has been successfully training people since 1993 to grow their own healthy food and sell the surplus.
Support the Umthathi Project
The Umthathi Training Project has been successfully training people since 1993 to grow their own healthy food and sell the surplus.
Just like most sectors in South Africa, Umthathi is feeling the economic pinch, so plans to cut costs and relocate its head offi ce to its nursery site in Extension 7.
Some renovations are necessary before the move can take place. The NGO plans to generate some income through fundraiser events and through public training sessions.
This presents an opportunity for prospective donors to fund those aspects of the site development that relate to their particular interests and/or corporate identity.
Tomorrow, Umthathi will launch the site development project from 4 to 5pm at the nursery site (41-22 Xhora Street, Sophiatown, Extension 7).
The wider community is encouraged to attend and support the project in any way possible, whether it be fi nancial, materials or expertise.
In the process, you can help further Umthathi promote productive home vegetable gardens, improve nutrition, health and income, and counteract apathy and depression associated with joblessness.
Public training sessions will be held at the Extension 7 Nursery, 41-22 Xhora St (Sophiatown) from 9am to 12pm at only R10 per person per session.
| Date | Topic |
| 13 August | Health and Hygiene in the Home |
| 10 September | Naturally Veg(permaculture and composting) |
| 8 October | Seedbeds and Waterwise Gardening |
| 12 November | Health and Hygene in the Home |
| 3 December | Useful Indigenous plants |
Contact Xoliswa or Sicelo at 046 622 4450 for more information.
Take your carbon footprint in hand
On Thursday 22 July, the Rhodes University Environmental Committee has organised a serious(ly) fun educational hour called “Handprints for Change… or… Taking your carbon footprint in hand”.
Environmental educators Rob O’Donoghue and Helen Fox will share start-up stories of handy ways to tread more lightly on the planet that, according to some, we modern ‘bigfoots’ are stomping into oblivion.
The talk starts at 7pm at St Peter’s building, Room 36 (access from Somerset St or Lucas Ave). Contact 046 603 7205 or email environment@ru.ac.za, or visit http://www.ru.ac.za/environment/events/campus
Converting invasive wood to energy
Also on 22 July, a public meeting will be held in the Scout Hall in African Street at 5pm regarding a proposed wood energy project in Grahamstown.
In collaboration with the Working for Water Project, wood from felled invasive alien vegetation would be used for the generation of electricity.
The Nollen Group proposes to establish a 3MW wood-to-energy development at the Old Power Station site. The project would then deal with a major ecological problem (invasive trees), create employment, and create a fuel source in an economically sound way.
The Background Info Document is downloadable at http://www.cesnet.co.za/ – click on “Downloads”. A basic environmental assessment is already underway.
If you wish be registered as an Interested and Affected Party (I&AP), send the CES (Coastal and Environmental Services) your details (name, contact numbers, fax, emails, postal address) with the reference “NG wood energy project”. Email ppp@cesnet.co.za or phone 046 622 2364.
