August 2023 Mycelium News

 
ISAAC MAFUEL
Communications Advocacy and Community Engagement SpecialistSpeciality Area: Vulnerable and marginalised communities & agroecologyExperience: Communications Officer at Soils Food and Healthy Communities under the Knowledge Hub for Organic Agriculture Multiplier Support Program, Communications, Social and Behavioural Change, Facilitation, Community Engagement, Technical and Creative Writing Consultant and Interactive and Legislative Theatre Officer: Theatre for a Change

Skills: Communication Strategy Development; Social and Behavioural Change Communication (SBCC); Training Facilitation; Community Engagement;
Writing and Editing; Graphic Design and Video Production; Gender-Based Violence Prevention, Activism; Translations; Subtitling; Video Dubbing; Voice Overs and Interactive Theatre Practitioner.

Communications professional with a passion for sustainable development and community empowerment. Committed to using skills to make a positive impact on the world and ensure households are self-sufficient through sustainable means of production.

NATALIE STERNBERG
PhotographerSpeciality Area: Storytelling through photography. Finding alternative ways to visualise the climate crisis, in ways that are multi directional and collaborative, and finding stories that bring the climate crisis into the everyday. Architectural, travel and documentary photography

Experience: I have worked with various documentary teams over the years as both a behind the scenes photographer and collaborating directly to tell the stories. I am half way through an MA in documentary photography at USW. The focus of my research is around the role of photography in the climate crisis. I have also taught photography at various colleges, the last being CTSP in Cape Town where I led their landscape photography courses and excursions. My work has been published in many magazines and books.

Skills: I am an experienced photographer and photography tutor with a unique eye. I have a large network of collaborators / colleagues in the UK as I have lived and worked there for many years. I am still doing my Masters at USW which gives me access to the latest research, talks, debates, forums in the documentary world. My mentor on the MA is a world class documentary climate activist who pushes me daily to dig deeper both inwardly and externally.

“It matters which systems systemise systems, which stories tell stories, which concepts think concepts. Mathematically, visually, and narratively it matters. Which figures figure figures, which systems systemise systems.” Donna Harroway, 2015 p 156-65

 

ISA-LEE JACOBSON
Film MakerSpeciality Area: Short documentary films for NGOs dealing with health, housing, employment and environmental concerns.

Experience: I started out in the commercials industry and I shifted my career in order to work for organisations who align with my values. I am a trained crisis counsellor with 10 years experience at Life Line and am involved in community organisations on a personal level. I was a co-ordinator for the Seaboard Community Action Network (CAN) during Covid, working closely with the Gugulethu CAN and others and I actively support the right to affordable housing in Cape Town, most notably the campaign for social housing at Tafelberg School. We are currently forming a YIMBY movement in order to encourage a more inclusive neighbourhood and Cape Town.

Skills: Producing, directing, filming, editing and writing. My counselling training helps me as a filmmaker to be an effective listener and hold difficult spaces.

I’m a filmmaker with a background in editing. Often shooting alone, I have worked in a number of African countries. Environmental and social issues are close to my heart and I am passionate about telling stories

DIARISE
 
 FynbosLife Fair returns

Be sure to save the date, Sunday 10 September, and make sure you won’t miss out on the second FynbosLife Fair, taking place at Zandvlei Lookout in Muizenberg, Cape Town. The FynbosLife Fair puts the spotlight on fynbos in all its forms. “FynbosLife Fair, run on a volunteer basis, with a well-curated selection of fynbos and nature conservation organisations and fabulous fynbos artisans, aims to give fynbos its place in the sun by showcasing its beauty, conservation value, versatility and diversity of fynbos products.” says Dr Caitlin von Witt, botanical ecologist and director of FynbosLife.

Dr von Witt will speak about FynbosLife, fynbos propagation and restoration, and her team members will give insight on teh various FynbosLife projects. Stellenbosch University’s Prof. Nox Makunga will speak about her research and work on fynbos in medicine, Tracey Bodington of ‘Mini Mo Shows’ will enchant both kids and adults with fynbos snakes, UCT’s Prof. Muthama Muasya will talk on fynbos graminoids, Sea Change Project Leader Dr Jannes Landschoff will talk about their 1001 Seaforest Species project, UCT Future Water Institute’s Prof. Kirsty Carden will talk on urban wetlands and water resilient cities, and Andy Jamieson will share his experience on creating natural pools.

Visitors can expect a fanfare of fynbos-inspired artwork, ceramics, fabrics and homeware; fynbos-distilled or -infused gin and rum, food featuring fynbos and much, much more” say FynbosLIFE Fair organisers Louise Baldwin and Genie Marais.

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World Elephant Day
 
World Elephant Day was co-founded on August 12, 2012, by Canadian Patricia Sims and the Elephant Reintroduction Foundation of Thailand, an initiative of HM Queen Sirikit of Thailand. Since that time, Patricia Sims has continued to lead World Elephant Day. Since its inception of global awareness building, it has partnerships with 100 elephant conservation organizations worldwide and reaches countless individuals across the globe. Millions of participants worldwide have shown their concern about the plight of elephants through acknowledgement of World Elephant Day, proving that people love elephants and want to do whatever they can to help. This powerful, collective global voice provides citizens, policy-makers, politicians, and governments a way to create and support conservation solutions that will make the world a safe place for elephants, wildlife, and habitat for future generations to cherish.

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Twyg Sustainable Fashion Awards call for nominations

The annual Twyg Sustainable Fashion Awards are now open for nominations, with new categories to celebrate five years of honouring South African fashion changemakers. Striving to inspire a fashion and textile industry that is kind, fair, inclusive, diverse, nature-friendly, sustainable, and embraces circular design principles, the Twyg Sustainable Fashion Awards celebrates and supports emerging and established designers across accessories, footwear and clothing, tastemakers, and activism. Nominations for the Awards close on Friday, 15 September 2023. View the full list of 2023 Twyg Awards categories and entry forms here.

ALSO READ: Stellenbosch University’s third-year students Wihan Joubert and Bernard Combrinkhave joined the thrift revolution with their startup Drip Markets, a buy-and-sell platform for preloved clothing.  Bizcommunity
 

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Nominations open for SanParks 2023 Kudu Awards

South African National Parks (SanParks), together with First National Bank (FNB) and Total Energies Marketing South Africa, is inviting nominations for the 17th annual Kudu Awards, which honour the achievements of individuals and organisations that have made significant contributions to conservation management in South Africa. The Kudu Awards honours and celebrates people whose conservation efforts and national pride are exemplary. The final date for entries is 22 September 2023. The award winners will be announced at a function to be held in November. Nominate your conservation hero today and be an inspiration to others. Nomination form here.

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Green Action Week

It is nearly time for the global Green Action Week campaign on sustainable consumption. From Monday 3rd to Sunday 9th October 2022, you can make your organisation’s voice heard by joining the campaign – see more here: https://greenactionweek.org/#join. There are more than 40 organisations taking part already…. including Mycelium Media Colab!

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Greenpop Reforest Fest 2024

Greenpop are looking for workshop facilitators, performers, artists, speakers, and teachers to co-create the next edition of their annual tree-planting celebration – Reforest Fest 2024! Share your magic at (probably) the biggest tree-planting festival in Africa. Workshop facilitators, performers, artists, speakers, and teachers apply here: https://bit.ly/CollabRFF24  Deadline for applications: 1 Dec 2023
Reforest Fest 2024: 29 Mar – 1 Apr 2024

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FILM FESTIVALS
 
Human Environment Care Film Festival, Canada
 
The Human Environment Care Film Festival (HECFF) is Canada’s premier cultural event devoted exclusively to the exploration of Human-Environment care, Human rights issues, Environment protection through films. Works should relate to Human-Environment care, Human rights issues, Environment protection, and a special section of this year (Woman, Life, Freedom). As this is an art festival, creative endeavors are encouraged.
Late Deadline: September 21, 2023  https://www.hecarefestival.com/

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International Underwater Film Festival, Serbia 

International Underwater Film Festival represents an unique oportunity to take a look at the underwater world, to find out more about it through films, photographs, discussions with authors and with other underwater adventurers and enthusiasts. One of this event’s main goal is to give contribution to education and environmental conciousness in our country. This is why the Festival’s moto is “Let the waters always be pure”. Regular Deadline: November 20, 2023 http://www.kpa.co.rs/
 

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Earth Stories Film Festival, UK

Earth Stories Film Festival is a Keele University based environmental film festival aimed at young filmmakers (14-25 year olds). The festival is a student-led initiative that provides a platform for students and young filmmakers from across the world to showcase their filmmaking talent. The event is managed by students from across the university and supported by staff from across academic disciplines. The festival will present new and inspirational stories addressing the climate crisis, natures degradation, and highlight pathways for sustainable futures through human-natures reconnections. Deadline: February 1, 2024  https://www.keele.ac.uk/earth-stories/
 

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Frome International Climate Film Festival, UK

The Frome International Climate Film Festival is the FIRST and ONLY dedicated FREE international film festival for films relating to all aspects of the CLIMATE and what it means to you and me, as we believe there should be NO BARRIERS to green change. Through film we raise awareness of the climate crisis and the need to urgently change, we also most importantly support personal change and provide pathways to change through sharing knowledge through film to educate and to reduce personal ecoanxiety. Remember change starts with you, ‘through little things we can do big things together’ As a festival we Connect, Share, Support and Inspire Green Change through Film. Earlybird Deadline: February 1, 2024  https://climatefilmfestival.co.uk/

INTERESTING READS

Ten African women leading the charge against climate change

Climate change is a global issue with far-reaching consequences, but its impact is particularly severe in Africa. Despite being one of the smallest contributors to global greenhouse gas emissions, the continent faces disproportionate challenges and limited funding to address this crisis. However, amidst these adversities, African women have emerged as influential leaders, taking active roles in mitigating climate change’s adverse effects and building resilience within their communities. The Benchmark
 

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Just Share and amaBhungane seek details on corporate climate lobbying

Just Share and the amaBhungane Centre for Investigative Journalism have launched access to information requests to promote transparency around behind-closed-door engagements between business and government which influence South Africa’s policy and regulatory approach to climate change and the energy mix. Just Share and amaBhungane submitted the requests on 10 August 2023, in terms of the Promotion of Access to Information Act 4 of 2000 (PAIA). This is to safeguard against attempts by private industry actors – in particular from the fossil fuel industry – to shape government laws and policies in the interests of corporations instead of the public. Disclosure of meetings between corporate representatives and government policy-makers is both necessary and important. Just Share
 

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South Africa ‘beats climate goal’ through load shedding? Why this viral claim misleads

Social media has been abuzz with the claim that a “positive effect” of South Africa’s regular power cuts is that the country has now met its emissions reduction target. But the claim has problems. he viral claim can be attributed to media site Bloomberg, who in turn said they had quoted the presidential climate commission. But the commission says it was misquoted. “Current emissions data” that would prove this claim correct is not yet available and only likely to be so two years after the fact, as the commission confirmed.  Africa Check
 

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Microplastics are hidden in your home. Here’s how to avoid them

The air, water, and food in your home is full of tiny, microscopic plastic particles. Here’s where you can find the most common sources—and eliminate them. Microplastics touch every facet of our lives. Smaller than a grain of salt, we interact with them more than we might realize. Humans inhale about 22,000,000 micro- and nanoplastics annually, and that’s because they’re in our food, water, and air. As a result, microplastic has been detected in our blood and lungs. We’re only just beginning to understand the effect of microplastics on human health—but research suggests we should be concerned. National Geographic
 
ALSO READ: Zoë Prinsloo set out on a mission to clean up 100 beaches across South Africa within 60 days. Not only did she) complete the task, but she went above and beyond by cleaning 111 beaches. Zoë started her Coast-to-Coast project in May and by July she’d collected 2 962kg of rubbish with the help of her mother, sister and communities who pitched in to help.  You Magazine
 

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Finding it hard to breathe? Air quality in Joburg worst in the world

The air quality in Johannesburg was the worst in the world at the end of August, according to the IQAir index. IQAir is informed by air quality monitors worldwide, with the highest air quality index (AQI) measure of 166 in Johannesburg.When an AQI measures in the range of 151 to 200 it is considered”unhealthy”, and it is recommended a mask be worn outside, no outdoor exercise be performed, windows are closed, and an air purifier be used. News 24

WE ARE LOVING…
 
… these initiatives which support our aim of living in a more sustainable world.

Stellenbosch University electric taxi project ramps up

A team of researchers from Stellenbosch University (SU) and Rham Equipment have developed the first electric taxi in South Africa, as part of a project to promote green mobility. The electric taxi is a minibus that was converted from a petrol or diesel vehicle to run on electric propulsion. The prototype is now ready for testing and will undergo road safety and performance evaluations.

“More than 70% of the trips in South Africa are by minibus in the informal sector, which is why we are hoping to encourage the retrofitting of some of the 250,000 minibuses in the country with electric propulsion. These will be cheaper and much more environmentally friendly than new electric vehicles,” Prof Thinus Booysen of the Department of Industrial Engineering at SU, explains. The feasibility research began in June 2022 when a project team came together to conduct rigorous and extensive testing in and around the town of Stellenbosch. In the next phase of the project they will collaborate with Golden Arrow Bus Service to retrofit one of the company’s buses.

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Six WC wine farms awarded WWF Conservation Champion status

Six wine farms in the Western Cape have been named WWF Conservation Champions, a title bestowed upon environmental leaders in South Africa’s wine industry. Boland Cellar, De Grendel, Glenwood Vineyards, Hartenberg Family Vineyards, Lomond Wine Estate and PaardenKloof Estate have been acknowledged for their leadership in implementing responsible and sustainable production practices, and for their commitment to regenerative farming practices, such as conserving biodiversity and setting aside land for conservation to protect endangered species. To choose a WWF Conservation Champion wine, look for the distinctive sugarbird and protea logos on bottles when buying wine.

Lomond Wine Estate was the first South African wine farm to adopt a conservation servitude with Fauna and Flora International and is also part of the Walker Bay Fynbos Conservancy. Glenwood Vineyards has pledged 21% of the property to nature conservation, while around 70% of PaardenKloof Estate’s 1 430 hectares are actively conserved. Other champions have established key wildlife in conservation areas. De Grendel reintroduced eland, bontebok, and red hartebeest, and PaardenKloof Estate brought Nguni cattle home. Hartenberg Family Vineyards is among the new champions integrating grazing animals, sheep and small livestock breeds into their regenerative practices.

The champion wine farms are also clearing alien invasive species to make space for indigenous vegetation and implementing farming practices that are geared towards protecting endangered vegetation. To this end, Glenwood Vineyards and Lomond Wine Estate are committed to protecting critically endangered species such as Kogelberg Sandstone Fynbos, Swartland Alluvium Fynbos and Elim Ferricrete Fynbos on their farms.

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Study in unpackaged retailing reveals increased affordability

Packaging costs can contribute significantly to the overall price of products and services, with estimates suggesting that it can account for up to 40% of the total cost, although some products may see as low as 10%. However, groundbreaking experiments conducted in Tembisa by retailing services powerhouses Smollan & Daymon, along with brands like Tiger, Huletts, Nestle, and retailer Spar, have revealed a different perspective. The research suggests that offering zero plastic and packaging options could actually enhance affordability for the mass market, rather than being limited to eco-friendly elites and specialty stores.

The trials began with Spaza shop experiments, focusing on rice and oats. Notably, the strategy of selling small quantities intended for same-day consumption — such as one cup of rice or one bowl of oats — led to a significant increase in product volumes. Unpackaged rice and oats, dispensed from specialised dispensers, surpassed the sales of popular packaged brands like Tastic and Jungle Oats. Encouraged by these results, a four-product trial was launched in Spar Tembisa. Consumers quickly embraced the concept, and sales volumes experienced an impressive fivefold growth over six months, resulting in over 2-tonnes of sales across more than 5,500 transactions.

The data revealed that most customers bought products in paper bags from the store and transferred them into containers at home. These containers ranged from existing boxes to repurposed Ricoffy tins, showing that the absence of traditional packaging did not hinder consumer convenience.

Thank you for reading our monthly newsletter! Please share this with like-minded friends or join our conversations on Facebook and Instagram.WHO ARE MYCELIUM?

Mycelium Media Colab is a co-operative of multimedia creatives and regenerators working together towards a healthy and sustainable world. We’re a collaborative enterprise with a strong focus on communication for change, producing compelling content and experiences that shift people’s mindsets.

We collaborate with academics, activists, dreamers, big thinkers, movers & shakers, and those who want to grow a regenerative world. Bringing together the talents, skills, resources and energy of multimedia creatives, we offer a networking, support and income-generation platform for members and affiliates. We develop and implement our own initiatives, and provide a range of professional services.

Membership to the Mycelium Media Colab is open to multimedia storytellers, artists and regenerators that share our vision collaborative and transformative change. It offers a networking and support space for members to share skills and inspiration, and creatively cross-pollinate, as well as a platform and organisational structure for projects that require a team.  Ownership of projects is shared between the creators and the co-operative. Contact info@myceliumcolab.com for more information and visit https://myceliumcolab.com/