South Africa presents a striking paradox: it is nationally food-secure, yet many households remain food-insecure. Data from Statistics South Africa consistently show that while food is available nationally, access is uneven, with affordability and local availability limiting what ends up on household plates. At the same time, businesses pay to dispose of tonnes of organic

Every day, tonnes of organic waste leave commercial kitchens, food retailers and hospitality facilities bound for landfill. Out of sight, and largely out of mind. But discarded material does not disappear. It decomposes under anaerobic conditions to produce methane, a greenhouse gas with a warming potential significantly greater than carbon dioxide. This World Environment Day,

South Africa’s safari and ecotourism sector contributes billions of rands to the national economy and funds critical conservation initiatives across the country. Yet one of the most overlooked threats to these landscapes does not arrive from outside the reserve fence; it originates in the back-of-house operations of the lodges and resorts that sit within them.

As South Africa prepares to host the International Day for Biological Diversity 2026 Global Flagship Event on Friday, 22 May, the world’s attention turns to a country celebrated for its sweeping landscapes, rich ecosystems, and iconic wildlife. From savannas to fynbos biomes, South Africa is globally recognised as a biodiversity hotspot. But while the focus