Did you have any idea that globally about 100 million tonnes of textile waste is generated each year? Or that by 2050 scientists predict there will be more plastic than fish in the ocean? Or that about 6% of the total landfill in South Africa is textile waste? There is one ton of plastic for…
Category: Creatives
The Cedarville Shop and The Wheelbarrow Swap
A colourful patchwork of Midlanders – academics and artists, bakers, bibliophiles, yogis and farmers – gathered at La Popote Café in Hilton on Friday12 August 2022 to launch award-winning author Bridget Krone’s latest book published by Catalyst Press. Over 100 people listened to Kim Ward in conversation with Bridget about The Cedarville Shop and The…
Muzi Ndlela
When Muzi was growing up in kwaPata his job was to look after the family goats. This was quite a responsibility for a young boy, one he took seriously even though it meant he had to stop playing with his friends to fetch them in for the night. “If anything happened to the goats while…
The Old Mushroom Farm
For 15 years, Nick Crooks grew button and black mushrooms in the tunnels on the farm along the Karkloof Road. To begin with, he didn’t have much idea about mushrooms, but with research and determination, he created a thriving business, which he sold to the staff (in the form of a management buyout) in 2006. …
Justice Hakata
“Let’s go make some music”, Justice Hakata beckons as a dozen teenagers spill out of the minibus. They don’t need encouragement to follow him to the practice room. “You know the drill. Communicate with one another and build on your performance from last week.” Justice gets the beat going on a Djembe drum and soon…
Rainbow Bridge
Rainbows have been popping up all over during the Covid-19 crisis – bright moments, shared with strangers, as many of us struggle with the current reality. Across the world, International Yarn Bomb Day is celebrated on 11 June, where public spaces are wrapped in colourful, creative fibre hugs. Traditionally poles, walls and fences have been…
Wild Bread Co
Man cannot live on bread alone. He needs music, poetry, flowers and long walks with the dogs too. Paul Hildyard spends large parts of each day in his Wild Bread Co bakery, hand building beautiful loaves. The rest of the time he relishes life in the Midlands – making the most of wonderful places to…
Alson Zuma
Leopards live in Fort Nottingham. Alson Zuma has never actually seen one. He has spotted the spoor, heard unusual growls and observed the remains of a fresh predator kill. He knows they are there. While some might avoid wandering through the forest and exploring the cliffs, Alson is undeterred. Much of the inspiration for his…
Spectacular Pollution Solutions
Crisp packets litter the landscape of many Midlands villages, tetrapak is often burnt and plastic bottles bob in wetlands. Gutters are clogged with take-away tubs. There is one ton of plastic for every person on Earth, much of it packaging materials that have been used just once, but that will last for hundreds of years….
Stories for Days
“The Midlands Literary Festival has come of age,” remarked Elana Bregin, a writer who has participated in all eight past events. This year, on the first weekend in September, many hundreds of people arrived at Fern Hill Hotel to enjoy an astonishing array of authors speaking about their work. There literally was something for everyone….
Midlands Mosaic 