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sustainablelatest news & developments
Dr Mia Strand of Nelson Mandela University’s Institute for Coastal and Marine Research. Photo: Supplied
AFRICA

Africa’s entrepreneurs focusing on sustainability are the continent’s changemakers

Sustainability demands more than merely replicating global frameworks; Africa must frame its own sustainable future

  • Gillian McAinsh
4 min read
A new case study proposes that, as part of the country’s energy transition, mining-affected communities, like those in Sekhukhune, set up solar farms through cooperatives to generate electricity for their own use.
AFRICA

A new currency backed by minerals? Africa is gambling on its energy transition

The continent must use energy minerals for its development rather than feeding them to industrialised countries

  • Dean Bhekumuzi Bhebhe
4 min read
By 2023, the major hyperscalers (Amazon, Google, Microsoft and Meta) operated close to 992 data centres globally, with capacity having doubled in just four years
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

Renewable energy could keep SA’s data centres lit and reliable

When one query to ChatGPT uses the same amount of electricity to power a light bulb for 20 minutes, it makes sense to drive the artificial intelligence revolution using solar and…

  • Mandy Hattingh
5 min read
Passionate: Carmen Jordaan is the owner of Whole Earth Recycling in Johannesburg
ENVIRONMENT

Complacency is the enemy in waste recycling

South Africa is running out of landfill space for our solid waste, which also contributes to greenhouse gas emissions – but the good news is we can easily be part of the solution

  • Carmen Jordaan
5 min read
Sustainability in the wine industry involves environmentally friendly practices in the way wines are farmed and packaged
SUSTAINABLE

Wine with integrity

Sustainability in the wine industry involves environmentally friendly practices in the way wines are farmed and packaged

  • Gugulethu Tshabalala
4 min read
Ethical wear: Clothing from Mors Design is made from recycled fabrics and its jerseys are made of mohair from Angora goats farmed in the Karoo. Photos: Rynto Stols
ETHICAL

Mors Design is turning waste into worth

The label creates handmade luxury goods with a firm focus on sustainability

  • Asanda Sizani
7 min read
The increase in, for example, white and yellow maize, us now at 7.75 million tonnes and 6.91 million tonnes, 16% higher than the 2023-24 season.
FOOD PRODUCTION

For better ways to produce food, look to the past

Answers to South Africa’s food system problems could lie in the pre-colonial epoch

  • Batlhalifi Nkgothoe
5 min read
Global greenhouse-gas emissions should have their numbers dwindle if we remain faithful to emerging technologies. Photo: Supplied
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

The continent is not yet ready to abandon fossil fuels, say African leaders

Energy sector leaders on the continent call for a gradual move towards renewable energy

  • Marcia Zali
3 min read
Circular green economy: Kekeletso Tsiloane (right) and Kedibone Tsiloane (left) at their factory where bricks are made using plastic, much of it collected from waste pickers. (Delwyn Verasamy/M&G)
CIRCULAR ECONOMY

Sisters pave the way with ecobricks

The durable bricks are made from 30% recycled plastic, some of which they collect from a network of 50 waste pickers

  • Sheree Bega
5 min read