Makana Enviro-News 180 – for Grocott’s Mail, Fri 27 September 2013
Compiled by Nikki Köhly
Makana Enviro-News 180 – for Grocott’s Mail, Fri 27 September 2013
Compiled by Nikki Köhly
More Sewage Woes
Every year, the Kowie Catchment Campaign (KCC) participates in World Water Monitoring Day (September 18). This year, the KCC has expressed its deep concern regarding ongoing and serious sewage leaks which are entering our catchment and river systems and continue to threaten human and environmental health. The latest findings, reported to Makana Municipality on 19 September, included strongly flowing sewage leaks – one a few hundred metres upstream of the Mayfield waste water treatment works, and another 100 metres below Zion Dam near Transit Camp. Other leaks were visible at the corner of Jacob Zuma Drive and no-name road (turnoff to Ntsika School) at Kings Flats, one just above Zion Dam, and several leaks flowing into a stream in the valley north of Tantyi School. Word has it that Carte Blanche was recently in town. Those with DSTV will be able to view the Carte Blanche footage of Makana’s water and sewage woes on Sunday 29 September.
Makana Community Group receives Environmental Award
This year, a new category joined the fold of RU Environmental Awards: Makana Community. Hearty congratulations to the first winners, iNqaba yeGolide. Based on the evidence, they are sure to go from strength to strength in their efforts to promote sustainability, especially in terms of human and ecological health and well-being. Congratulations also to the winners in the RU institute/ department category – the IWR Unilever Centre for Environmental Water Quality – and in the RU student society/ residence category – the Catchment Research Group. A celebratory function was held on Friday 20 September in the Environmental Learning Research Centre, where the winners were presented with unique floating trophies and framed certificates. Their efforts to promote sustainability are acknowledged in the Rhodes University graduation booklet and on the Environmental Awards Honours Roll in the RU Library.
More info: www.ru.ac.za/environment/committee/environmentalawards/2013awards
‘Civilised’ Hamburgers and Handbags
Andras Forgacs, tissue engineering entrepreneur and co-founder and CEO of Modern Meadow, claims there will soon be a more civilised way of getting hamburgers and handbags, other than killing animals. He has created a prototype for biofabricating meat and leather. This involves sourcing cells from living animals, creating a culture of billions of these cells, and then assembling them into the tissue precursors of meat or leather. Forgacs is confident that in future, no animal slaughter will be needed for meat and leather. An added advantage is that less land, water, energy and chemicals will be required.
More info: ww.ted.com/talks/andras_forgacs_leather_and_meat_without_killing_animals.html
Flower Festival feast
There is a diverse line-up of events and activities at this year’s Flower Festival, 5-6 October. Workshops include a Kisma Kreative for all ages, “Do what you can, with what you have, where you are”, and Kath Cummings of Clumber Valley Products speaking about the benefits of Rose Geranium. Other topics include “Landscape as art”, “Simple secrets for a family vegetable garden” and “How to remove invasive alien weeds”. Gardeners have an opportunity to share the fruits of their labours – and of their gardens – by entering the colourful and fragrant Flower Competition. Garden Stalls, Plant Sales, Open Grahamstown Garden, Food, Music & Entertainment are all part of the fun.
More info:www.grahamstownflowerfestival.co.za
Nikki Köhly: n.kohly@ru.ac.za, 046 603 7205 | Jenny Gon: j-gon@intekom.co.za, 046 622 5822 | Ruth Krueger: g10k2679@campus.ru.ac.za, 076 295 8045 | Nick James: nickjames@intekom.co.za, 082 575 9781 | Philip Machanick: p.machanick@ru.ac.za, 046 603 8635 | Strato Copteros: strato@iafrica.com, 082 785 6403
