Dr Katye Altieri, Associate Professor of Oceanography, is the recipient of the 2025 Oppenheimer Memorial Trust New Frontiers Research Award. Dr Altieri thinks that the key to tackling air pollution could be hidden in the sea and has some fascinating thoughts on the matter!

Cape Town, South Africa (29 May 2025) — Dr Katye Altieri, Associate Professor of Oceanography at the University of Cape Town, is the winner of the Oppenheimer Memorial Trust’s New Frontiers Research Award for 2025. The professor believes that the answer to one of the Earth’s most pressing problems, air pollution, could actually be hidden in the sea!

In the Prof’s words:

The Answer to the Impact of Air Pollution Lies in…the Deep Blue Sea

Imagine for a moment standing on a sun-soaked beach, the surf crashing against the shore, and inhaling the salty, moist sea air. It’s invigorating.

But is it really? Hundreds of years ago, perhaps, but what about now? How do the ocean and the air interact in the presence of human-created air pollution, specifically nitrogen, and how does this relationship impact climate change?

The simple truth is, we don’t know – and I want to find out.

Our oceans are as important to life on Earth as the air we breathe. An enormous carbon sink, they help to remove the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide (CO₂) from the atmosphere, which is of course a good thing.

As a matter of fact, nitrogen helps the oceans to remove CO₂ from the atmosphere. The problem is, too much of it can spur the production and release of nitrous oxide (N₂O), another greenhouse gas that is 300 times as potent as CO₂. That is clearly not a good thing.

As with everything in nature, things work when there’s a balance; invariably, however, we humans throw out that equilibrium through our activities. That’s why we’re struggling so much with the issue of climate change, so much of which has to do with the pollution of our atmosphere.

We have doubled the amount of nitrogen in the atmosphere through activities such as fossil fuel combustion and agriculture. That nitrogen, even from far inland, is swept out to sea and settles in the ocean.

But we don’t know exactly how much pollution-derived nitrogen reaches the open ocean. We don’t know exactly what happens when it settles in the ocean.

And we face a conundrum: does it increase the ocean’s ability to remove greenhouse gases from the atmosphere, or emit more deleterious greenhouse gases into the atmosphere?

The main reason why we don’t know is because climate change science – a large and diverse field of study – is siloed in terms of scientific disciplines and policy frameworks, and the connection between air pollution and the ocean thus isn’t properly assessed. Atmospheric scientists and oceanographers do their own research and even speak their own scientific languages, and governments and their responses mostly don’t consider this aspect.

I intend to help change that, however, by forging new ways of scientific thinking about both our atmosphere and our oceans, helping us to build knowledge in ways we haven’t before. As the recipient of the Oppenheimer Memorial Trust’s 2025 New Frontiers Research Award, my mission is to come up with the evidence that supports (or doesn’t support) various air quality, climate and scientific arguments.

The New Frontiers award affords me the opportunity to lead a world-class research team, including the very best scientists; three exceptional South African women.

Supporting them will be postgraduate students and postdoctoral researchers. Together, we will establish a shared language and methodological approach to the complex interactions between air pollution, nitrogen cycling and oceanic greenhouse gas fluxes.

This is how we will do it:

• We will undertake an ambitious observational campaign to measure how much anthropogenic atmospheric nitrogen deposition reaches the coastal and open ocean off the west coast of South Africa. This approach allows for investigation of a nitrogen deposition gradient, and how much of it is created by us
• On the question of the impact of atmospheric nitrogen deposition on surface ocean biogeochemistry, we will conduct on-ship incubation experiments using atmospheric deposition collected on land and at sea
• To investigate whether atmospheric deposition results in drawdown of CO₂ and/or release of N₂O from the surface ocean, we will conduct a set of model experiments. First an atmospheric chemistry model will generate fields of nitrogen deposition using current emissions as well as simulated increased anthropogenic emissions, then those deposition fields will be used as inputs to the ocean biogeochemistry model, and the ocean’s response will be quantified

In many ways, South Africa – Cape Town in particular – is the ideal place to do this research. As one of the world’s largest coal-burning countries, the country contributes significantly to atmospheric nitrogen emissions.

Uniquely, we have three diverse ocean systems, allowing for comparative study and measurement, within striking distance:

• The upwelling of nutrient-rich, cold waters from the deep ocean in the Benguela current up the west coast of Africa, teeming with phytoplankton that supports abundant marine life
• The ocean desert of the South Atlantic Ocean, which is comparatively nutrient-poor and has limited marine life
• The time machine that is the Southern Ocean, which boasts as close to the pre-industrial atmosphere as we can get anywhere on Earth – equivalent to the atmosphere up to 200 years ago. (And we have access to the polar research vessel, the R/V S.A. Agulhas II, which allows for research operations in these oceans)

The New Frontiers Research Award offers several benefits: its long-term nature (it is a five-year award) will allow for the building of impactful partnerships; it will promote integrated science, allowing for fieldwork that can be built into models that quantify the big picture for us; and, importantly, it will help scientific observationalists and modellers to connect and network.

Reducing nitrogen emissions may make the oceans’ CO₂ sink smaller, yet we cannot justify stopping nitrogen clean-ups. It’s possible that atmospheric pollution could have little impact on the oceans – or it could be massive. We just don’t know. So this needs to be understood and quantified; only then can we formulate appropriate environmental policy.

The integration between the atmosphere and the ocean is, from a scientific perspective, inherently global. So what we learn from the oceans around South Africa, a country that already punches above its weight in the climate space, will have bearing on our entire planet. This is a very exciting prospect.

Imagine once more that beach, the glare off the sand and the mewing gulls, and the scent of the sea air. It’s at an intersection that could provide us with some of the most fundamental learning ever of how our planet works – and, for better or worse, how we influence it.

Sources: Email Submission 

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Or watch an episode of Good Things TV below, a show created to offer South Africans balance in a world with what feels like constant bad news. We’re here to remind you that there are still so many good things happening in South Africa & we’ll leave you feeling a little more proudly South African.

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Koru Camp just doubled its reach, bringing thousands of children and elders face to face with the wildlife on their doorsteps and inspiring the next generation to fall in love with nature and to protect it.

Greater Kruger, South Africa (29 May 2025) – One of my favourite traditions when entering the Kruger National Park is to play the ‘first animal game’. Everyone picks the animal they hope to see first, and the person who spots it wins. I am a champion at this game, winning it almost every time we visit. It is such a simple thing and yet, it makes me one of the very few privileged people who gets to do it. Hundreds of thousands of people who live on the outskirts of the park don’t have the opportunity to experience the joys of spotting the first animal. But at Koru Camp, that’s changing!

Koru Camp was founded by Peter Eastwood in 2022 as a way to connect children and gogos in the Greater Kruger to the wildlife that they live so very close to. Corné Havenga joined Peter as the CEO in 2023, helping drive the idea to invite local NPOs and school groups to stay at the Big Five camp, where they get to immerse themselves in nature, guided by trained rangers and trackers, who teach them all the wonders of the wild world.

They get to stay overnight in comfortable tents, listening to the hyena laugh as the lions roar in the distance. The children are shown how richly their heritage is intertwined with the animals being protected by the high electric fences.

This connection, from a young age, is the hope for conservation in the future as these bright young minds learn just how important it is to protect the animals, to bring an end to poaching and to celebrate the harmony of human life and animal life. They are destined to become the conservationists of our future.

Koru Camp Launches Revamped Educational Facility to Deepen Community Conservation

Koru Camp is unveiling its newly renovated, off-grid facility on the 3rd of June 2025. With over R13 million invested, the upgrades will allow the camp to double its reach, hosting over 2,000 local beneficiaries per year. The improvements include solar-powered infrastructure, new classrooms, improved accommodation, and a medicinal garden.

The camp, the first of its kind in the region, is celebrating this relaunch and hopes to make an even greater impact in the surrounding communities.

The relaunch event will feature local entertainment, art showcases from the children who will benefit from the camp, and a special appearance by explorer Kingsley Holgate. Koru’s mission is simple: to inspire a love for nature because people protect what they understand and cherish.

None of this would be possible without the dedication of Peter Eastwood, who, like so many before him, visited South Africa and fell deeply in love with its people, its wild spaces and the spirit of Ubuntu. Peter, a New Zealand businessman, first took action when he heard the plight of the Rhino in 2007. He was driven to act and started raising funds to support anti-poaching units.

Through his work, he realised that lasting impact comes not only from fighting poachers but through conservation education and connecting people to the animals and environment around them; that change requires a widespread shift in perspectives through education, inclusion, and firsthand experiences in nature. He saw that people protect what they love, and love comes from understanding and experiences.

Peter has committed a great deal to making Koru Camp a meaningful success. His private camp, Sashwa – River of Stars, known for its tranquillity, is a retreat like no other in the Limpopo region. It offers a connection to nature for guests and those looking to take part in green tourism that truly makes a difference. The camp, which boasts a fully plant-based menu (Koru has a vegetarian menu), hosts yoga sessions on its deck, overlooking the beautiful bush. It connects people who want to make meaningful travel choices, knowing the money they spend goes back into the community.

Since launching Sashwa in November 2024, Peter has committed 100% of its profits to the running of Koru Camp, making both camps all the more meaningful, not only through the educational elements, but through employment too. Both camps are rooting themselves deep within the fabric of the community, determined to make a difference that lasts.

You can learn more about Sashwa and their exclusive launch rates here, and as for Koru Camp, you can find out how to support the initiative here. Each has a unique story to tell, but one is not whole without the other.

Sources: GTG Interview

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An engaging experience awaited a group of primary school learners as they explored shark behaviour and ocean safety using a variety of interactive tools and games designed for fun and learning by the Shark Spotters team.

Muizenberg, South Africa (28 May 2025) – There’s no better time to learn about nature and its fascinating inner workings than when you’re young and eager.

That is exactly why the Shark Spotters educational team opened the doors to its Information Centre in Muizenberg to the Grade 6 learners from Spine View Primary School for an exciting and educational programme about sharks and ocean safety!

The programme was designed to introduce the youngsters to the fascinating world of shark ecology, with a special focus on shark behaviour.

“Using fun, hands-on tools like shark puppets and real shark specimens, such as jaws, skin, and egg cases, the learners got to see, touch, and explore these incredible creatures up close,” Shark Spotters said.

Learners then dived into a lesson on shark and ocean safety, including a demonstration of how spotting works and the important tools spotters use.

“To test their knowledge, the learners played the Race to Build the Flag game, working together to build all four Shark Spotters flags using puzzle pieces and teamwork.”

In an effort to make sure the young minds were also guided and informed about how to keep safe near the ocean, they also received a featured a practical session by the NSRI on drowning prevention and how to perform CPR.

“This gave the learners important lifesaving knowledge and the confidence to take responsibility for their own safety in and around the water.

“We wrapped up the day with energetic group games like tug of war and grab the cone, bringing big smiles and lots of laughter all around!”

If those bright eyes and wide smiles are anything to go by, it’s safe to say it was certainly an epic day of enviro-learning!

Sources: Shark Spotters

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400 Tons of Glass (over. 1.2 million bottles and jars) successfully avoided landfills thanks to learners across South Africa!

South Africa (28 May 2025) — In a world where environmental red flags continue to present themselves, and people find themselves feeling hopeless in wondering whether their actions as individuals will even make a difference, a great example hails from South African learners. Enough individuals came together as part of a powerful initiative to collect 400 tons of glass; putting more than 1.2 million bottles and jars into the circular economy and away from landfills!

The effort has been dubbed ‘glass acts of greatness’ by the Glass Recycling Company, which initiated the flagship environmental education initiative. The 2024 results are the work of learners across the country; each of whom came together to become teams of change-makers.

Spotlight: Laerskool Kabega

Laerskool Kabega in Gqeberha stood strong as the champions of the initiative; collecting over 43,000 kgs of glass that earned them the coveted title of 2024 Overall National Winner. The school also earned cash prizes for their efforts.

“Glass recycling has had a huge impact on our school,” reflects Kabega teacher Adele Botha. The school first participated in the TGRC School Competition in 2017, and ever since have put their efforts toward becoming champion recyclers.

The financial incentives have helped the schools grow too, sustainably.

“All the money earned through our glass recycling through the years have been put back into improving our school grounds. Through the years we have bought and installed water tanks, we have planted grass along the embankments and sport fields, we have bought picnic tables and benches from recycled plastic to make break times better for our learners.”

Adele adds:

“Through the competition our learners have had the opportunity to do science expo projects, they learn about the circular economy and how we save energy through glass recycling. Recycling glass has bound our teachers, learners and families together by giving us a shared goal.”

But, it takes unity to make the magic happen.

“Without whole school involvement and our support staff, in particular, we would not have been able to sustain and grow the project successfully each year.”

2024 Schools Recap

The top-performing province was KwaZulu-Natal. Learners collected an impressive 108,608kgs of glass (around 18 elephants weight-wise), followed by the Eastern Cape with 106,202 kilograms (just under 18 elephants), Gauteng with 92,693 kilograms (15 elephants) and the Western Cape with 87,318 kilograms (14 elephants).

Here’s a brief breakdown of the top schools as well as how much they earned in prizes:

Eastern Cape:

• Laerskool Kabega: 43,058 kg and R30,000
• Little Eagles Play & Pre-School: 15,799 kg and R20,00
• Morewag Primary School: 11,805 kg and R10,000

Gauteng:

• Gereformeerde Skool Dirk Postma: 15,014 kg and R30,000
• St. Paulus Pre-and Primary School: 13,938 kg and R20,000
• Over the Moon Childcare Centre: 7,843 kg and R10,000

KwaZulu-Natal:

• Isnembe Secondary School:  26,846 kg and R30,000
• Kloof Senior Primary School: 16,905 kg and R20,000
• Kloof Junior Primary School: 14,877 kg and R10,000

Western Cape:

• Kenridge Primary School: 27,770 kg and R30,000
• Bergvliet Primary School: 24,471 kg and R20,000
• Observatory Junior School: 5,880 kg and R10,000

Timeless Glass

Glass is one of the most effective recyclable products because it will always be recyclable. It can be melted and re-moulded an infinite amount of times without losing its purity or quality!

You can find out more about participating in this year’s Glass Recycling Competition, here.

Sources: Supplied 

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Or watch an episode of Good Things TV below, a show created to offer South Africans balance in a world with what feels like constant bad news. We’re here to remind you that there are still so many good things happening in South Africa & we’ll leave you feeling a little more proudly South African.

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With no playbook and high risks, South African vets came together to perform a procedure never done before… and gave Houdini his breath back.

Pretoria, South Africa (25 May 2025) – You don’t get a name like Houdini without surviving the impossible… and this four-year-old white rhino has done just that. Not once, but twice.

Years after surviving a brutal poaching attack that left him with a bullet wound through the nose, Houdini faced a new battle: he was slowly losing the ability to breathe. What started as a quiet struggle turned into a life-threatening condition and his carers knew something had to be done. Urgently. Thankfully, a remarkable team of veterinary specialists at the University of Pretoria stepped in, performing a groundbreaking six-hour surgery that gave this rhino a second shot at life. And every breath since has been nothing short of a miracle.

“This is a major problem for rhinos,” said Dr Bester. “Unlike humans, they can only breathe through their noses, and their sense of smell is essential for survival. For Houdini, this wasn’t just a breathing issue – it threatened his quality of life.”

Dr Bester conducted a nasal endoscopy and discovered pink-coloured tissue obstructing Houdini’s right nasal passage. The case was serious and way beyond what could be handled in the bush. So he referred Houdini to Professor Gerhard Steenkamp, a veterinary specialist in dentistry and maxillofacial surgery at the University of Pretoria’s Onderstepoort Veterinary Academic Hospital.

A CT scan painted a grim picture: Houdini’s entire right nasal passage was blocked and the obstruction was creeping into the left side too. The bullet that tore through his nose years ago had caused abnormal bone growth, compounding the issue and making every breath a struggle.

Initially, a low-invasive laser surgery was considered but the lesion was too large. The team, including Prof Steenkamp and equine surgery expert Dr Elza Hollenbach, knew that the only option left was an open surgery, a bold move that came with enormous risk.

“We knew we had to act fast,” Prof Steenkamp said. “This wasn’t just about clearing a nasal passage; it was about giving Houdini back his ability to live a normal life.”

But it wasn’t just the surgery that was complex, the anaesthesia was equally daunting. Houdini’s already compromised breathing meant any sedation would be tricky and rhinos are notoriously sensitive under anaesthesia.

Even healthy animals can suffer from serious complications while sedated due to their sheer size and physiology.

Dr Jacques O’Dell, a wildlife vet, along with a specialist anaesthesiology team led by Dr Abdur Kadwa, took on the challenge. They implemented a rare and innovative method called haemodilution, essentially collecting and saving Houdini’s own blood while replacing it temporarily with IV fluids, so that if bleeding occurred, he could be “transfused” with his own blood.

“This method hasn’t been reported in rhinos before,” said Dr Kadwa. “But it has been used in horses, dogs, and cats. To our knowledge, it’s the first time it’s been applied in South Africa, and possibly the world.”

After five hours and 55 minutes under anaesthetic, and a highly delicate surgery that involved cutting into the side of Houdini’s face, the team successfully removed the obstruction.

Houdini was gently moved to a specialised boma where he recovered under the watchful eyes of Dr O’Dell, veterinary students, and the wider Onderstepoort team. Just days later, the little survivor was up and about and by the end of the week, ready to go home.

“Seeing him walk out of the boma, breathing freely again, was an emotional moment for all of us,” said Prof Steenkamp. “He’s a fighter, and he’s earned every breath.”

This isn’t just a story about a rhino. It’s a story about resilience, innovation and what’s possible when people come together to do something extraordinary. It’s a reminder of the fragility of our wildlife and the power we have to help protect it.

And for Houdini, every breath he takes now is a breath filled with hope.

Sources: University of Pretoria 

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Or watch an episode of Good Things TV below, a show created to offer South Africans balance in a world with what feels like constant bad news. We’re here to remind you that there are still so many good things happening in South Africa & we’ll leave you feeling a little more proudly South African.

The post “Houdini” Saved by Nearly Six-Hour Surgery After Poaching Injury appeared first on Good Things Guy.

Not everyone loves snakes, we totally get it! But they play an essential roll in keeping rodent populations under control; puff adders are the latest agricultural heroes says a new Wits study.

South Africa (23 May 2025) – They may not be the most glamorous of Africa’s creatures, and they certainly don’t enjoy the best PR. But those heavy-bodied, slow-moving puff adders we’re all taught to steer well clear of might just be some of the continent’s most valuable agricultural allies.

New research out of the University of the Witwatersrand is changing how we see these often-scary reptiles. According to Professor Graham Alexander, who led the study, puff adders are astonishingly effective at controlling rodent populations, and not just your far-flug mountain rats, but the kind that devastate crops, bankrupt farmers, and chew through food security that is already so fragile in South Africa.

The science is simple but staggering. When rodent populations spike, puff adders can ramp up their food intake by more than 12 times their usual needs. That means, that the more rats there are, the more gluttonous the adders become. Just a hungry puff adder doing what it does best. In fact, individual snakes can gobble up as many as 10 rodents in one go and be ready to hunt again within a week. That’s not just efficiency. That’s pest control with fangs.

Published in Scientific Reports, the proudly South African study makes the case that these snakes offer a free, continuous rodent management service and one that’s far more scalable than most traditional predators. While creatures like weasels or lynx may eat more per animal, puff adders win on sheer numbers. They’re naturally abundant in many African habitats and can quietly soak up rising rodent numbers long before they spiral into full-blown plagues.

“These findings demonstrate that puff adder population management should be an essential component of integrated pest management strategies,” says Alexander. “By protecting these natural controllers, we can harness their remarkable abilities to support both ecosystem health and agricultural productivity across Africa.”

In other words, it’s time we stopped seeing snakes as villains in the agricultural story and started treating them as heroes. They might not be cute. They definitely won’t win any popularity contests. But when it comes to safeguarding food security in a warming, increasingly unpredictable world, puff adders might just be the quiet heroes we never knew we had.

And just in case you missed it, the Snakes of Southern Africa group recently celebrated over 500,000 members. The group is changing the conversation in South Africa regarding snakes, promoting education and its changing (and saving) lives.

Sources: Wits University – Supplied

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It was all hands on deck as sea rescue teams and compassionate members of the community rallied to the aid of TEARS Animals Rescue when Cape Town’s severe storm hit the animal shelter hard this week, threatening the well-being of vulnerable cats and dogs.

Cape Town, South Africa (22 May 2025) – Nobody ever expects disaster to strike. We just hope that in the unfortunate event that it does, we can withstand the storm and emerge safely on the other side.

The TEARS Animal Rescue experienced its unexpected blow this past Tuesday when Cape Town’s heavy rains caused serious flooding at the animal shelter’s offices, kennels and cattery; a devastating disaster for both the dedicated volunteers and the defenceless animals in their care.

Out of concern and desperation following the failure of the facility’s drainage system, TEARS reached out for urgent help across its channels. It wasn’t long after sounding the alarm that the community, together with members of the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI), jumped on board to assist with immediate cleanup and removal of water from the site.

“Thanks to the fast action and support of our community, we were able to prevent a disaster,” TEARS said in relief.

The animal shelter extended its heartfelt gratitude to members of the NSRI’s Simon’s Town, Hout Bay and Kommetjie stations for their swift response and their incredible support in helping pump the floodwater from TEARS’ kennels.

“It made all the difference. We are so deeply grateful for your kindness and quick response.”

Moved by the greater community’s compassionate response to their call, TEARS further thanked everyone who assisted with donations, shared their call for help, or sent messages of care and encouragement on social media.

“Thank you. Your compassion and generosity continue to carry us through challenges like this one.”

Good Things Guy salutes every member who played a part in the disaster relief efforts. While the cleanup continues and the damage is still being assessed, each and every member of the TEARS family is moving forward with newfound strength and hope, knowing they have a caring community behind them.

 

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A post shared by TEARS Animal Rescue (@tearsanimalrescue)

Sources: TEARS Animal Rescue

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In a crucial step towards safeguarding one of Africa’s most endangered species, the Somkhanda Community Game Reserve, together with its partners, recently continued its vital rhino dehorning operation this past weekend.

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa  (22 May 2025) – Thanks to the tireless dedication of a passionate team of conservationists, rhinos at the Somkhanda Community Game Reserve will soon roam more safely, free from the relentless threat of poachers.

On Saturday, 17 May, members of and representatives from WILDLIFE ACT and The Protected Area Management Company came together to continue the rhino dehorning intervention, which is part of a broader effort to protect Somkhanda’s rhino population.

Dehorning has proven to be an effective deterrent, especially on smaller reserves like Somkhanda, where the entire population can be safely dehorned every one to two years, WILDLANDS assures.

The initiative was launched last year at the community-owned sanctuary to address the escalating poaching crisis.

The Communications Manager from WILDLANDS, Noluthando Mbata, was also on the ground to witness this effort, which served as a personal reminder of the lengths wildlife conservationists go to protect one of Africa’s most iconic and endangered species.

“Standing beside these iconic species as they were carefully dehorned was incredibly moving. It reminded me that every precaution we take today gives them a better chance to roam free tomorrow,” Noluthando commented.

This rhino experience, which greatly helps transform the landscape of conservation, would not be possible without strong partnerships and the support of conservation allies.

The weekend was also made possible through the ongoing support from Highbury Preparatory School’s annual Maputaland Challenge, which raises funds for their adopted black and white rhino at Somkhanda, Tai and Baleka.

“Together, we continue working towards a thriving and resilient world where endangered species like rhinos are given the chance to survive and thrive,” WILDLANDS said.

Sources: WILDLANDS

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42 elephants have been safely translocated and given a new and sustainable place to call home within the Addo Elephant National Park, marking a hopeful step forward for conservation efforts in the Eastern Cape.

Gqeberha, South Africa (21 May 2025) – In an exciting win for conservation, South African National Parks (SANParks) has successfully translocated 42 elephants from Addo Elephant National Park’s (AENP) Main Camp to the newly secured Kabouga section.

This critical move is part of ongoing efforts to expand the Addo elephants’ range and restore ecological balance in one of South Africa’s most iconic and cherished conservation areas.

Conducted last week, the translocation was meticulously planned and executed by an expert team of conservationists, wildlife veterinarians and logistics specialists. Each stage was carried out with careful attention to animal welfare and ecological integrity.

Park Manager, Roland Januarie, shared that Addo, which is home to over 700 elephants, has a proud record of elephant conservation and maintains a healthy and secure population of one of Africa’s most iconic animal species.

“Translocation between sections of the park has been successfully carried out over many years based on the need to expand their range and to restore the original ancient elephant corridors. Looking forward, the consolidation of the neighbouring Kabouga and Darlington sections of the park is planned,” said Januarie.

The Kabouga section, about 50km away by road from the Main Camp, offers a restored habitat where elephants can re-establish their ecological roles. Reintroducing elephants to this landscape is central to a broader conservation vision of repairing degraded ecosystems through species-led restoration.

By expanding the elephant range and establishing new, sustainable habitats, the translocation stands to contribute to long-term biodiversity health and the reactivation of natural ecosystem functions across the region.

The newly relocated elephants will be carefully monitored as they settle into their new environment, marking a hopeful step forward for conservation efforts in the Eastern Cape.

The Global Humane Conservation Fund of Africa, an initiative of the Global Humane Society, provided much-needed support that enabled the successful implementation of this project.

“We at Global Humane Society are proud to support this critical restoration project and help ensure these elephants have the space they need to thrive”, said Dr Robin Ganzert, President and CEO of Global Humane Society.

“This effort will reactivate the natural systems that elephants help sustain as each step of this process is managed with precision and care, prioritising the welfare of the elephants and the delicate ecosystem at every stage.”

Elephants are widely recognised as ecosystem engineers – their presence transforms landscapes in ways that benefit a vast array of other species. From opening up thickets and dispersing seeds to creating water access points, their natural behaviours support biodiversity and rejuvenate ecological processes that have been dormant in areas where elephants have long been absent.

Sources: Supplied

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Or watch an episode of Good Things TV below, a show created to offer South Africans balance in a world with what feels like constant bad news. We’re here to remind you that there are still so many good things happening in South Africa & we’ll leave you feeling a little more proudly South African.

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South Africa has struck gold once again at the 2025 RHS Chelsea Flower Show following last year’s winning comeback!

London, United Kingdom (20 May 2025) — It’s another gold for South Africa at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show in London thanks to acclaimed horticulturist and floral legend, Leon Kluge, right-hand Tristan Woudberg and their larger team.

Following last year’s magnificent and winning comeback that ended a lengthy hiatus SA took from the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, hopes were high that the 2025 South African floral display would continue our golden streak, hopes that bloomed in full.

This brings South Africa’s tally of wins at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show (over a four decade period) to an incredible 39 medals; an inspired total considering that this is considered the world’s pinnacle flower show.

While last year’s display offered a slice of the mountains and the Cape Floral Kingdom’s wonders amid them, this year’s design was inspired by the ocean.

The design explored the influence that two oceans South Africa knows well, the Indian and the Atlantic, have on the flora in our country to gorgeous effect; offering both fynbos and cliff-dwelling plant arrangements to celebrate South Africa as “the flower basket of Africa” as Leon put it beautifully.

As such, the design required an incredible shipment of locally grown flowers and fynbos travel across the pond for the show. As Leon shares, there were approximately 25,000 stems that had to be cut by the team in order to get them into the water!

 

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A post shared by Leon Kluge (@leonkluge)

Revealing the gold win to South Africa, Leon explained that the team were nervous pre-show and that the win came as a wonderful relief.

 

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A post shared by Leon Kluge (@leonkluge)

South Africa couldn’t be prouder of our natural heritage and those who nurture and celebrate it as much as this team does.

Sources: Leon Kluge; GTG 

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Do you have something to add to this story? Please share it in the comments or follow GoodThingsGuy on Facebook & Twitter to keep up to date with good news as it happens, or share your good news with us by clicking here or click the link below to listen to the Good Things Guy Podcast with Brent Lindeque – South Africa’s very own Good Things Guy. He’s on a mission to change what the world pays attention to, and he truly believes there’s good news around us. In the Good Things Guy podcast, you’ll meet these everyday heroes & hear their incredible stories:

Or watch an episode of Good Things TV below, a show created to offer South Africans balance in a world with what feels like constant bad news. We’re here to remind you that there are still so many good things happening in South Africa & we’ll leave you feeling a little more proudly South African.

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