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Who can claim the invention of one of the most important contributions to human health? Is it Sir John Harington, Alexander Cumming, Thomas Crapper, or the idea of an anonymous individual who lived thousands of years ago? Although Sir John Harington did not impress Queen Elizabeth with his invention and installation of the first flushing toilet in Richmond Palace in 1596, he did receive support from other royals. The flush toilet didn't impress the public either. Needing almost 28 liters per flush, it was seen by them as an expensive indulgence already back then! In 1755 , Alexander Cumming, an [...]

As I reflect on what I have written below, it may as well just be a list of links to articles, reports, scientific papers and documentaries. It was even the subject of a Carte Blanche program, as recently as last week, Sunday 8th September. The situation has been written about extensively and exposed on so many levels, from this video produced by Jackson Film SA for the Camps Bay & Clifton Ratepayer’s Association (CBCRA) and the shocking images captured by marine conservation photographer Jean Tresfon, to Steve Kretzmann’s recent article for GroundUp, [...]

  Cutting the disease vector in Tankwa Town AfrikaBurn is a spin off from the Burning Man festival held in the United States. It is an annual event, held near the Tankwa Karoo National Park, an isolated and pristine conservation area in South Africa. It is centered on the construction of temporary artworks in a semi-desert environment, some of which are burnt towards the end of the event. From the first event held in 2007 with 1 000 participants, it has grown to host 13 000 people over a 10 day period, who have to haul everything they might [...]