Eco Minute 13:30

BULLETIN 5 September 1:30 pm

Good afternoon, here is your Eco Minute:

# The South African icebreaking polar supply and research ship, the SA Agulhas Two, is set to depart from Cape Town to Gough Island today for the 2024 relief voyage. The island hosts the South African weather observation station. The ship owned by the Department of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment will transport the Gough 70 relief team and cargo to the weather station. The department says the station assists with data collection and scientific research, and monitoring the impacts of severe weather events on the South African coastline.

# The DA says most rivers in the City of Johannesburg are in a desperate state with E.coli levels at a record high, which makes it dangerous for humans and animals to venture into the rivers. The party’s motion for a feasibility study to assess the viability of adding another litter catchment mechanism in the Jukskei River failed in council. The DA’s David Foley says the litter trap is critical for the environmental health of the river area:

# And, Cape Town mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis officially opened the Majik Forest Renosterveld Garden in Durbanville. The garden was developed by the Wildflower Stepping Stones Project Group, a local group dedicated to conserving pockets of locally indigenous wildflowers to combat habitat fragmentation. Mayoral committee member for Community Services and Health, Patricia van der Ross, says the garden showcases the beauty and diversity of the indigenous Swartland Shale Renosterveld, an endangered vegetation type that has largely disappeared from the area:

Stay tuned for more news………….