Harvesting rain to save water

We are encouraged to recycle just about everything these days, however with 18% of the world not having access to clean drinking water and with South Africa ranked the thirtieth driest country in the world, one of the most important resources we should consider recycling, is water. The aim of national water week from 16-22 March is increased awareness about the challenges facing our finite water resources and the sustainable management of water levels. Harvesting rainwater and grey water is a viable method of water conservation that not only reduces your carbon footprint but your monthly water bill too. I met eco-urbanite Jane Griffiths, author of Jane’s Delicious Garden, who harvests rain water and grey water and found out how she does it.

Harvesting rain water

Rain is a free source of water, recycling rain water is not as arduous a task as it may first appear and can be achieved elegantly and efficiently in your own backyard. This was demonstrated through a guided tour of Griffiths’ garden, her sagacious garden is maintained with harvested water.  “I had JoJo Tanks installed to harvest rainwater, 1mm of rainfall on one square meter of roof will supply 1 litre of water,” she said.

Grey water tank in Griffiths' backyard

With five rainwater tanks each with a 750litre capacity, her garden is proof that the tanks can be encompassed into your environment seamlessly and effectively. “I have a large roof and all those litres which were washing away down the storm water drain are now saved in my tanks and I can use it to water the garden or wash the car. In summer, when the tanks start overflowing from all the rain, I empty it into my natural swimming pond.”

Rain water tanks in Griffiths' driveway

Rain and grey water specialist Patrick Rosslee from JoJo Tanks warned against drinking unfiltered rainwater. “Remember that untreated water is unsafe to drink. If your installer has placed the correct filters in place, and you have followed the maintenance regime correctly, this water should be safe to drink. If you do not have a water filtration system in place and need to drink this water in an emergency, we recommend boiling the water and keeping it at a rolling boil for at least a minute before drinking. If you’d like to regularly use your rainwater for drinking purposes please consult an installer with experience in installing water filtration systems.”

Grey water harvesting

Grey water is water from showers, laundry, baths and hand washbasins. It should not be confused with black water, sometimes referred to as sewage, which is waste water from toilets and dishwashers.

Rod Cairns managing director of JoJo Tanks simplified grey water harvesting for the average household. “For the average family, close to 90 percent of grey water leaves the household as waste water yet it could have been recycled and reused to water gardens, wash cars and flush toilets among other things,” said Cairns. 

He explained that grey water decomposed very quickly and had to be used within 24 hours or it would become black water, which smelt bad and could not be used due to all the harmful bacteria and pathogens.

“The simplest grey water system consists of gravity feeding water to an underground sump where it passes through a macro filter to remove hair fluff and lint. The water is then immediately pumped or drip-irrigated into the garden."

With the number of waste water management systems on the market you really are spoiled for choice when it comes to water recycling options that are effective and aesthetically non-invasive but reducing your water usage should always be the priority. Ultimately water conservation will not only have a big impact on the planet but on your wallet too.

Easy, fast and cost-effective decor tips

I recently interviewed an interior designer who had some good tips for sprucing up your living space, which I will share with you. Talking to him made me reminisce about designing the interior of my 'new' home, a year and a half ago, and I recalled the satisfaction that designing my interior space brought. Of course I hired professionals to handle all of the fitting, painting etc. but the ideas were mine and that made the results even more rewarding. So if you're a buddying d.i.y designer good luck, make it your own, happy designing! and here are some tips to assist.

Easy, fast and cost-effective decorating tips from my interview with Lean van der Merwe:

1. Replace old lampshades with new, contemporary shades in a feature colour. Colours need not only be introduced on cushions – a lampshade can make an even greater statement.

2. Applying a fresh coat of paint is one of the easiest and quickest ways to redecorate. Instead of repainting a whole room, paint one feature wall in a more vibrant and striking colour. A fun idea: Paint a rectangular shape, horizontally above a sofa and use this space as a “gallery” space for displaying personal photos.

3. Add some funk to a room with contrasting colours, black and white or white with one bright colour. Use these bold colours as a theme throughout the room. i.e. White wall with the display of a bright blue sofa and fluffy white scatter cushions.

4. Replace all your accessories. Walk through your home and place all your accessories on a table. Separate them into two allotments – one side with the accessories you absolutely adore, and the rest, knick knacks you aren’t too attached to. Now, take your favourite items and place them throughout the house, where they will create the most impact. Chances are, you wouldn’t need to position the less favourable accessories.

5. A great way of displaying family photos and smaller paintings, is to arrange them all together. Choose frames of varying sizes, shapes and styles and position on a large wall or a passage way. Firstly, lay them out on the floor to obtain a balanced composition, which will work optimally on the wall.

 

6. Replace old hanging lights with small chandeliers – crystal, wire or even wrought iron, works wonders.

7. Zhoosh-up your bedside tables. Position a tray on top of your bedside table and place the light on the tray. This on its own, already delivers a more rounded-off look. A pretty ornament or small vase with a display of fresh cut flowers, lends more colour and interest. Complete the ensemble with a beautiful coaster or small plate, for your evening glass of water, a small painting on the wall - and voila!

 

8. Purchase six unpainted, small pots. Paint in different shades of your favourite colour, plant some fresh herbs, and display on your kitchen windowsill.

9. Replace door handles in your kitchen, bathroom and bedrooms. Inexpensive, stylish door handles are available at most smaller décor shops these days, and they look gorgeous once fitted.

10. A really great way to add some interest to a built-in bookcase, is to hang small paintings on the corners, where shelves meet with the down slats. The effect is amazing, and simultaneously allows extra space, to hang small pieces.

11. A fab alternative to a vase with flowers, is filling your vase with red apples. Rub them with cooking oil to add a beautiful, fresh shine to the fruit. Just make sure your guests don’t eat them, as they don’t taste as good as they look!

12. Redecorate your bookshelves. They don’t only need to hold books. You can create a special feature with beautiful accessories and book holders / decorative bookend.

13. Create a small feature space at your entrance. A painted feature wall with an entrance or wall table, large clock or painting against the wall, is beautifully completed with one or two special ornaments, placed on the table. An extremely warm and very welcoming look. If you are hosting a party, you can even display small party favours on the table, for your guests to take home, when they leave.

14. Update your window dressings. Even a small thing, such as replacing normal, white curtain tracks with either wrought iron or stainless rods, can make an enormous difference. Rods are generally inexpensive and they look so much better than the normal old boring, and often plastic track.

15. Retile your oven splash back with colourful mosaic or glass. The glass option is very inexpensive and you can then paint the background, in any colour imaginable.
 

 

The most popular beaded bracelet in SA, helps save rhinos

 

I vividly recall the day I met the team that would eventually become Rhino warriors; I was covering a story about a group of people who had just gotten back from an expedition delivering mosquito nets to a Malaria hotspot in Africa (Mission of the heart). Their excitement over the mission’s success was palpable and everyone was talking a mile a minute so it was hard to keep focussed on the story at hand, especially with mention of the exciting conservation programme in the pipeline. That was when I’d met Chris Thorpe-the man who would become the driving force behind the RHINO FORCE.  Fast forward a few months to June 2011 and the article 'You can help Save SA's rhinos' introduced the beaded bracelet to SA.

 

 

Now two-years and several media appearances later, RHINO FORCE is going stronger than ever having just donated R4.6 million to rhino conservation and to think it all started with a beaded bracelet! Well done team RHINO FORCE!

 

R4,6 MILLION FROM RHINO FORCE TO SAVE RHINOS

RHINO FORCE’s red, black and white beaded bracelet remains SA’s best-selling rhino accessory, maintaining unprecedented success in raising awareness and funds for rhino conservation. In total RHINO FORCE paid R3 050 597.59 to Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT) from sales of RHINO FORCE bracelets. This multi-million rand donation, acknowledged in thanks by the EWT, supports the NGO’s rhino programmes.

 

RHINO FORCE also thanks the EWT for their conservation activities undertaken in security and protection; wildlife trade law compliance; judiciary awareness and strategic support as the bracelet organisation re-directs its efforts to fully support rhino translocation.

 

This fine-tuned approach is in response to an urgent need for immediate, direct action, and in support of IUCN’s principle of translocation as a method to save a species from extinction. Proudly sponsored by MITSUBISHI SA, RHINO FORCE support Africa Foundation, and fund the translocation of rhino from South Africa to Botswana – a safe haven in terms of security and monitoring. Relocating rhino to suitable habitats spreads them out over a larger area. Translocation also enables rapid growth rates, and is the reason we have 400 separate populations in 9 African countries today.

 

Rhino bracelet sales have raised R400,000 for Africa Foundation, over and above the R3 050 597.59 paid to the EWT. RHINO FORCE also facilitated a whopping R1.1 million from corporate donors, including Motorite Administrators, for the first RHINO FORCE relocation project. The first group of rhino are ready for release in Botswana.

 

The original RHINO FORCE beaded bracelet, launched in June 2011, is synonymous with rhino conservation, remaining a best-seller.  Over 500,000 local and international supporters have donned the conservation accessory. The continued support from retail, corporate and individuals has raised awareness for the critical threat to our rhino populations.

 

“We have identified a direct, immediate conservation action that is saving rhino today, through the sale of the beaded bracelet. Monies we raise and facilitate go directly to translocation. We believe it’s important to involve and educate South Africa in this fight,” says Joanne Lapin Thorpe, co-founder of RHINO FORCE. “We look forward to many more translocation projects and saving our rhinos.”

To help save the rhino, buy a bracelet online at www.rhinoforce.co.za

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Blade runner divides SA

You’ll be hard-pressed to find any newsfeed without mention of the Oscar Pistorius ‘murder’-the Pistorius news cloud has gripped the country and the world’s attention since the tragic shooting last week.

I remember when I heard the news broken on radio, I was begrudgingly sitting in traffic on my way to Midrand, I literally gasped in disbelief and as the traffic was going nowhere I quickly bbm'ed to let people know the news. Regardless of the outcome of the trial, Valentine’s Day will forever be associated with…’remember when Oscar shot his girlfriend…’

I’ve been in rigorous training sessions, regarding a new venture, over the last two weeks but found myself unable to concentrate and regularly checking and refreshing twitter feeds for the latest news (B.t.w there is no better news source than twitter to keep abreast of proceedings).

I don’t think a story has ever affected SA the way this one has, the Pistorius shooting is our equivalent of America’s OJ Simpson trial.

Pistorius at the 2012 Olympics

It was only a few months ago when the country shouted his name in unison as he participated in the Olympics, now someone who once united the nation has split it in two; those who believe him and those who don’t-and of course there’s a third lot the rational ones who will wait for all the evidence to be presented and a proper trial to decide his fate.

I have to admit, before the shooting I didn’t even know who Reeva Steenkamp was but now I’m so terribly saddened and touched by her tragic death that it feels like she was a friend.

In my head I play out the different scenarios of what could possibly have happened on that fateful night and wish that somehow someone could’ve warned her.

We obviously don’t know what the outcome of the trial will be anyone who has been following the developments has no doubt played judge, juror and lawyer around their dinner tables. But the truth is we may never really know what happened and this leads to a whole lot of speculation.

Hopefully we have a justice system that would see an innocent man walk and a guilty man jailed but as we have seen over and over again a trial is as much about the facts as it is about the strength of your legal team, and so far Pistorius’ attorney Roux has outwitted the state.

Oscar Pistorius in court

Oscar’s affidavit:

I fail to understand how I could be charged with murder, let alone premeditated murder, as I had no intention to kill my girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp ("Reeva"). ... I deny the aforesaid allegation in the strongest terms. ...

"On the 13th of February 2013 Reeva would have gone out with her friends and I with my friends. Reeva then called me and asked that we rather spend the evening at home. I agreed. ... By about 22h00 on 13 February 2013 we were in our bedroom. She was doing her yoga exercises and I was in bed watching television. My prosthetic legs were off. We were deeply in love and I could not be happier. I know she felt the same way. She had given me a present for Valentine's Day but asked me only to open it the next day.

"After Reeva finished her yoga exercises she got into bed and we both fell asleep. I am acutely aware of violent crime being committed by intruders entering homes ... I have received death threats before. I have also been a victim of violence and of burglaries before. For that reason I kept my firearm, a 9 mm Parabellum, underneath my bed when I went to bed at night.

"During the early morning hours of 14 February 2013, I woke up, went onto the balcony to bring the fan in and closed the sliding doors, the blinds and the curtains. I heard a noise in the bathroom and realized that someone was in the bathroom. ... I felt a sense of terror rushing over me. ...

"I believed that someone had entered my house. I was too scared to switch a light on.

"I grabbed my 9 mm pistol from underneath my bed. On my way to the bathroom I screamed words to the effect for him/them to get out of my house and for Reeva to phone the police. It was pitch dark in the bedroom and I thought Reeva was in bed. I noticed that the bathroom window was open. I realized that the intruder/s was/were in the toilet because the toilet door was closed and I did not see anyone in the bathroom. ...

"It filled me with horror and fear of an intruder or intruders being inside the toilet. ... As I did not have my prosthetic legs on and felt extremely vulnerable, I knew I had to protect Reeva and myself. I believed that when the intruder/s came out of the toilet we would be in grave danger. ...

"I fired shots at the toilet door and shouted to Reeva to phone the police. She did not respond ... Everything was pitch dark in the bedroom and I was still too scared to switch on a light. Reeva was not responding.

"When I reached the bed, I realized that Reeva was not in bed. That is when it dawned on me that it could have been Reeva who was in the toilet. I returned to the bathroom calling her name. I tried to open the toilet door but it was locked. I rushed back into the bedroom and opened the sliding door exiting onto the balcony and screamed for help.

"I put on my prosthetic legs, ran back to the bathroom and tried to kick the toilet door open. I think I must then have turned on the lights. I went back into the bedroom and grabbed my cricket bat to bash open the toilet door. ... Reeva was slumped over but alive.

"I battled to get her out of the toilet and pulled her into the bathroom. I phoned Johan Stander ("Stander") who was involved in the administration of the estate and asked him to phone the ambulance. ... I carried her downstairs in order to take her to the hospital. ... I tried to render the assistance to Reeva that I could, but she died in my arms. ...

In my opinion:

To a layperson, like me, Oscar’s affidavit leaves a lot of questions unanswered; Why didn’t he notice she wasn’t in bed when he went back? Didn’t he think it strange she didn’t answer when he asked her to call the police? (And on that point he was ‘too afraid to put on a light’ but not too afraid to ask her to call the police?) Why was the toilet door locked? Surely no-one would just sit quietly and be shot at, so assuming she had screamed after the first shot why didn’t he stop shooting? Also his actions indicate he believes one should shoot first and ask questions later and all is not well if one has that type of psyche.

If he is 'innocent' and things played out exactly as he said it did then it’s heart-breaking that he has to mourn the loss of his girlfriend while being accused of her premeditated murder.

Reach for Recovery gets R570k boost

What started out as a good idea three years ago has mushroomed into a hugely successful initiative that raised more than R1 million for cancer support group Reach for Recovery since 2010. I’m talking about the Pink Punnet drive that saw Pick n Pay, Samfa (South African Mushroom Farmers Association) and Yucca packaging join forces to donate R1 from every pink punnet of mushrooms sold during October (breast cancer awareness month) to Reach for Recovery.

The biggest contribution toward that R1 million came from last year’s campaign, which amassed a fantastic R570 668 for Reach for Recovery. Today being World Cancer Day it was quite fitting that an organisation dedicated to supporting breast cancer patients received such a massive boost as recognition for the incredible work they do.

 

Cheque handover:Ross Richardson (Chariman of SAMFA) and Beaulah Jankelowitz (Reach for Recovery)

So what’s the link between mushrooms and breast cancer you ask… research has shown a significant link between mushroom consumption and reduction in breast cancer- the first time I heard this I couldn’t believe it either! but it’s true, eating 10g of mushrooms everyday can half the risk of breast cancer. You can read all about the results of that research here: Cancer and mushrooms

Reach 4 Recovery members: Stephne Jacobs, Greta Treisman, Maro Arvanitis, Josey Nonkonyana, Cherry Hart, Wil Hanssen, Beulah Jankelowitz and Dorothy Lewis

 

I interviewed Beaulah Jankelowitz a breast cancer survivor and the national co-ordinator of Reach for Recovery, on my radio show last week. Here’s the podcast of that interview:
Jozi Today 31/01/13