Fancy saving the planet but fneed some basic skills and principles to get you started? You need an urgent Evoke. Watch the video to find out more...

Did you know that South Africa, along with Egypt, are the continent's leading producers of conventional weapons, with most other African states relying on imports to meet their growing needs? So when a recent report by South Africa's Auditor-General revealed a serious lack of controls over exports of massive arsenal of conventional weapons, you have to wonder – are we keeping Africa in a state of war?

A few years back, we were inundated with reports of the serious problem of overcrowding in prisons. So how have we progressed? Well, if we take the Eastern Cape for example, in the past three years the total number of offenders accommodated in its 44 correctional centers fluctuated from 19500 to 20000.  But why so little change?

Can we change the world, 5 minutes at a time? In this video, witness collaboration and innovation put into action by a group of Aussie school children. They may sound like "know-it-alls" but they are actually part of a new generation of "do-it-alls" which take the initiative to make a difference. Good on ya mate. 

Ask any non-profit or community-based organisation what their biggest challenge is an inevitably it comes back as one word – funding. Whether they apply to the National Lotteries Distribution Trust Fund (NLDTF) or the National Development Agency (NDA), the time it takes to actually apply and then receive (hopefully) the funds can mean life or death for many small operations, with the real affect being felt by the people they support.

For nearly 12 years one of two independent women’s funds in South Africa has worked with women in low income communities to find local solutions to build local communities, and leadership amongst women.

Three of the country’s top magicians, Jacques le Sueur, the only person to ever successfully steal (and return) former President Nelson Mandela’s wrist-watch (twice), Andrew “Magic Man” Eland, one of the most experienced and well-travelled magicians in the country and Marcel Oudejans, recognised both locally and abroad as one of the busiest corporate event entertainment specialists in Africa, will delight audiences at a charity benefit hosted by the UPliftment Programme at the Grand West Casino on 20 February. 

When you hear the word “craft” what do you think of? Hawkers on the side of the road peddling beaded keyrings? Cute toys made of veldt and bowls made of chewing gum wrappers? While these are currently the iconic images associated with SA craft in SA, one local company is trying to craft art and entrepreneurship into these stereotypical images.

It’s criminal. Every day over 7 million children go to school without shoes. But it doesn’t have to be that way. Bob Skinstad is willing to go to jail for the cause, what will you do?

It’s always great winning competitions, but even better when you know that your entry has helped eradicate poverty in the process. Now that’s a prize worth aiming for.

Chaos erupted at the KFM studios this morning when former Springbok captain
and SuperSport Presenter, Bob Skinstad, was arrested during a routine press conference.

A development fund that draws on stakeholder relationships to support primary cooperatives? This is the promise of a new R50 million fund that will be implemented in one the country’s poorest provinces – The Eastern Cape.

Do you remember the good old days when toxic products were marked by scary images of skulls and cross bones so you could distinguish the dangerous from the safe? Well no longer. According to a recent study into local leather shoes, your favourite pair of moccasins could be toxic to yourself and the environment.

Here’s something we don’t hear often – the UN awarding one of South Africa’s provincial health departments for the exceptional work it is doing in the fight against TB. So what made them sit up and take notice? Two things really.

With the latest economic statistics reminding us that over 24% of our population is unemployed, it’s good to hear that some companies, like Anglo, are trying to create jobs and not cut them, even in tough times. 25 000 jobs in 7 years to be exact.

Carbon neutral restaurants – a creative media ploy or a smart way to go about your business without hurting the environment or your client base?

When we hear the word “empowerment” it’s usually followed by the phrase “previously disadvantaged”. What about people who are currently disadvantaged? Those people, who by virtue of their physical disabilities, have fewer opportunities to become economically contributing citizens of our country. Who is looking after them?

With so many diseases and disasters plaguing our continent, we often forget about the individuals and the lives they affect. Like 17-year-old Radhiyyah, who was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia and is currently receiving treatment at Groote Schuur Hospital. What does she want most in the world? 

In the past year we have seen a number of renewable energy projects kick started. But here’s something slightly different and a first for Africa – a carbon credits project (income generator) that creates renewable energy (money saver) by converting gas from household waste (guilt reducer). And guess where it’s being piloted? Durban.