This week, we commemorate Global Recycling Day on 18th March. This day was created to help recognise and celebrate the benefits of recycling waste for the environment, businesses, and people. The day was first recognised by the United Nations in 2018 and has since birthed countless initiatives by governments, civil society groups and the private sector that have impacted environmental action and awareness. This year, our next guest has collaborated with the South African Defence Force to take its “green soldiering” to install biogas plants in military bases that will reduce the use of fossil fuels to cook meals for about 220 people a day

Guest: Dr. Karen Surridge – Manager of Renewable Energy at South African National Energy Development Institute

1. #GDP (SA economy grows by 1,2% in the final quarter of 2021 | Annual growth sits at 4,9% for 2021 financial year according to Statistics SA)
2. #Mbalula (Minister of Transport gets into a Twitter dispute with journalist, Ziyanda Ngcobo on the cryptic Ukraine tweet)
3. #Pfizer (Twitter weighs in on the side effects of Vaccines in New reports from the US FDA | 100K doses will expire due to declining vaccination numbers)
4. #WesselMareeHigh (Parents of student have opened an assault case | A video went viral of a teacher who shoved a student in class)
5. #GiftOfTheGivers (Ambassador of Ukraine lauds the organization for humanitarian contributions)

Guest:  Lorato Tshenkeng - Social Commentator

Our next guest believes that children have the right to the best possible healthcare and aim to improve the health situation of vulnerable children in communities. Our next guest has just returned from a seven thousand kilometre journey around the country to raise funds for children’s health. This fundraising effort would go into paying for doctor’s appointments, paediatric surgeries, medical treatments and nutritional assistance for families in distress. Their journey started in White River, Mpumalanga on the eve of Valentine’s Day and the group of bikers visited cities such as Cape Town, Gqeberha, Upington, Lephalale, Port Nolloth and Durban.

Guest:  Dr. Andre Hattingh – Founder and Chief Executive Officer for Pediatric Care Africa

The ancient holistic tradition of Qi Gong is used to harness the body’s natural energy to achieve peace and calm. The idea is to reset your energy, clearing any meridian pathway blockages that might be holding you back, to create clarity of mind and awaken one’s true nature. Qi Gong derives from the Chinese tradition’s understanding of energy centres called dantian and is believed to be related to higher states of consciousness. Dantian are considered to be essential for cultivating health and wellness. Our next guest will help us unpack how energy practices such as Qi Gong restores balance between mind, body and soul

Guest:  Mandy Wu – Psychologist, Lecturer and Yoga Instructor

The Fruit Industry Social Compact is an accord between government, industry and labour. The aim of the accord is to achieve socio-economic growth within the fruit industry according to the guidelines of the National Development Plan. The stakeholders have mutually accepted the principles, guidelines and common objectives contained in the Fruit Industry Social Compact (FISC). Our next guest will unpack how the Fruit Industry Social Accord will address challenges within the value chain and how it will impact farmers

Guest:  Fhumulani Ratshitanga – Chief Executive Officer of Fruit South Africa

The Fruit Industry Social Compact is an accord between government, industry and labour. The aim of the accord is to achieve socio-economic growth within the fruit industry according to the guidelines of the National Development Plan. The stakeholders have mutually accepted the principles, guidelines and common objectives contained in the Fruit Industry Social Compact (FISC). Our next guest will unpack how the Fruit Industry Social Accord will address challenges within the value chain and how it will impact farmers

Guest:  Fhumulani Ratshitanga – Chief Executive Officer of Fruit South Africa

This green organization started over a meal where nine friends resolved to plant a thousand trees during Arbour Month (September) in Cape Town’s marginalized and under-greened communities. Along the way, the group researched the best places to plant the trees and found like-minded people to help their campaign gather momentum. Once the group completed their goal, schools were asking for trees to be planted in the fields, more people wanted to volunteer their time and companies wanted to offer their support. Today, the organization has planted over 150 000 trees throughout southern Africa. Our next guest tells us more about their upcoming Reforest Festival taking place in April under the theme: Celebrating the age of restoration.

Guest:  Lauren Teasdale – Co-Founder of GreenPop

1. #NathiMthethwa (Fana Moekena calls for the Minister of Arts and Culture to take responsibility economic strife of artists)
2. #ISIS (US government has sanctioned four financial facilitators of the extremist group | Finance supporting conflicts in Uganda and Mozambique)
3. #FuelHikesMustFall (SA motorists start a petition in protest of the R1,46 increase)
4. #Libya (New transitional government approved by House of Representatives despite tensions with UN-supported administration)
5. #SAPostOffice (Postal service stops mail delivery to Russia, Ukraine & Belarus | SA Twitter drags the service for not getting local postal services delivered)

Guest:  Adekunle Owolabi - Social Commentator

Our next guest has been celebrating the graduation of the class of 2021 and has equipped 197 graduates to take the next step in their agricultural journey. The Western Cape MEC for Agriculture, Dr. Ivan Meyer has challenged these students to become active participants in the economic recovery and help the provincial government in building more agricultural schools. The Elsenburg Agricultural Training Institute was the first agricultural training centre on the continent and the oldest in the country

Guest:  Maritjie Cornelissen – Deputy Director of Student Affairs at Elsenburg Agricultural Training Institute

After someone dies, some of our most valued and fulfilling experiences are often coloured with a tinge of pain. Although depression and grief are different, both experiences may cause someone to retreat from the routines of daily life: A person may cut off from sources of support. A person may withdraw socially and emotionally. A person may also disengage from activities they found fulfilling and gave them purpose. Our next guest will provide tips on how we can support the emotional needs of our loved ones as they reintegrate back into society

Guest:  Paula Quinsee – Relationship Coach and Author