Lunch with Pippa Hudson

Couch - Rhino War

Two guests join us on the virtual couch today, to talk about the war on rhino poaching about how a shift in tactics has at last started delivering some results in the Kruger National Park. The department of Environmental Affairs last released rhino poaching figures in February this year. They told that 451 rhino were poached in South Africa during 2021 – - a 24% decrease compared to 2019, which is the last meaningful comparison year seeing as Covid lockdowns skewed the figures dramatically in 2020. It’s also a notable drop from where we were a few years back, when over a thousand rhino were poached every year from 2012 to 2017.

When one looks specifically at the Kruger National Park, we see that 209 rhinos where poached last year, a drop from 247 in 2019, and down from a peak where over 500 animals were being killed per year in the mid 2010’s. Despite the steady decrease, the impact on the rhino population has been devastating, with the park’s numbers dropping by 60% since 2013. It is a grim picture despite the hopeful downturn. But one thing stood out in Minister Edna Molewa’s press statement this Feb – her comment about how collaboration between police and Sanparks had led to an increase in arrest and convictions, and how the increased intensity of anti-poaching activities in the park was contributing to the steady decline.

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In today's music segment we feature the sounds of Cape Town siner, Amy Jones. There has been no slowing down this homegrown talent as she continues to soar in the industry.

She's been very busy over the last year, since the release of her previous single, "Dance On My Own". That song has been picked up by Netflix to feature in a new series and she has been invited to perform at the 2022 Shrewsbury Flower Show in the UK, taking her talent and career international.

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The Open Book Festival is one of the most popular events in Cape Town where speakers and authors can meet face-to-face with members of the public, to have meaningful conversations, about books, words and everything written.

The festival has a focus on South African literature in an international context. and includes over 150 literary events, featuring over 100 authors over 5 days. The festival returns to its traditional in-person format in September and welcomes authors, publishers, readers, and anyone interested in fascinating and engaging conversations. But this week, there's a precursor to the festival taking place.

The Open Book Festival Workshop Week ( which runs from today until Friday, invites aspiring and experienced writers to a series of workshops. An example of one of the events is, award winning author Dawn Garish facilitating a writing skills workshop.

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DEATH DOULA

We had a fertility doula on the show with us on Friday who reminded us that the word doula in its original Greek incorporates the concept of service, of caring and support at times of great vulnerability. Our guest in studio today is part of a network of doulas who offer that kind of care at the end of life, ensuring that their clients are able to face death with dignity, peace, clarity and hopefully a bit of wisdom.

Rafaela Peerutin is a death doula and a member of the Cape Town based Soul Carers Network.

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TRAVEL – HIKING CAPE TOWN

A beautiful day like today was just made for strapping on some boots and sunscreen and hitting the trails for some time out in the open air. And our next guest has just published a very user-friendly guide which is full of advice on how to do just that, in the greater Cape Town area. We are spoiled for choice with so many different mountain areas to explore, so Evelyn Holtzhausen has whittled down the choices to 35 different routes with something to offer everyone from the novice walker to the seasoned mountain climber. The new book called Hiking Cape Town has just been published by Struik Nature – I’m delighted to welcome Evelyn back to the show today to tell us a bit more about it.

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COUCH – PETITE French

Well the show has really gone to the dogs today because joining me in studio are two French bulldogs called Sophie and Ham who may well be the most elegant guests we’ve had all year – no disrespect to the rest of you. They are the faces of a brand called Petite French and Co, which has Cape Town’s pooches upping their style game and putting their most pedicured paws forward.

The owner of the brand is Gill Taylor, a Cape Town businesswoman and dog-lover who decided to tap into the burgeoning pet accessories market about 18 months ago. Her range of elegant doggy lifestyle products has gone from strength to strength

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Pippa talks to Mawande Mateza EWN SPORTS Reporter on this historic moment.

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In today's music segment we feature the sounds of one of SA’s most loved female singer- songwriters, in Louise Carver.

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The Cape Town ballet season is upon us, and there are several performances that's et to grace the Artscape stage over the next few months.

Ballet lovers are in for a rare treat with the opportunity to see four International Guest Artists perform as part of Cape Town City Ballet’s Winter Season, which runs from 4 to 28 August.

The season line-up includes ROMEO AND JULIET based on William Shakespeare’s classic, tragic love story and choreographed by South African ballet legend Veronica Paeper, alongside an invigorating new triple bill IKIGAI inspired by the Japanese concept of Purpose, Happiness and Peace.

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LEGAL TALK – MARLON

It’s time for Legal talk and today we welcome back specialist rental property attorney Marlon Shevelew, who is director of Marlon Shevelew and Associates Incorporated. He is with us on the line to answer your questions around your tenant-landlord issues – you are welcome to call in on 021 446 0567 or leave a whatsapp on 072 567 1567.

Just a reminder that the advice Marlon shares on air is intended as general legal guidance only and that you should always seek your own professional support as each case as its own quirks and merits. Also a reminder that he is a specialist in RESIDENTIAL rentals so we’re not able to take calls about commercial properties.

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