Eco Minute 13:30

BULLETIN 16 April 1:30 pm

Good afternoon, here is your Eco Minute:

# A consortium of mining companies has pledged 40-million-rand over five years to establish the Bushveld Geology and Metallogeny Research Chair at Wits University. The initiative aims to boost research into the geologically rich Bushveld Complex while fostering the next generation of geoscientists. Wits vice-chancellor Zeblon Vilakazi praised the initiative as a continuation of the university’s long history of serving South Africa’s mining industry.

# Cape Town-based eco-friendly delivery service Green Riders plans to introduce e-bikes that make use of a battery-powered pedal-assist system, which adds extra power behind a pedal. Green Riders, which launched in 2022, hopes to expand to Gauteng and later have a national footprint. Training operations manager, Tanika Coulson, says delivery riders spend approximately eleven-hours a day on their vehicles, which release greenhouse gas emissions. She says that is why they want to offer an eco-friendly alternative which has less of a carbon footprint.

# And finally: Another pangolin has been rescued following a sting operation in Silver Lakes, Pretoria. This operation, involving the Gauteng Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, and Transfrontier Africa, led to the arrest of four suspects. The rescued pangolin, named Sebastian, was taken to the Johannesburg Wildlife Veterinary Hospital for treatment. Despite being dehydrated and weak initially, Sebastian is now showing signs of improvement. Last week, a pregnant pangolin was also rescued. Pangolins are primarily poached for their scales which are used in traditional medicine.

Stay tuned for more news………….