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The Citizen
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Citizen
Oscar-Nominated 'The Last Ranger' Reveals Poaching Reality
Oscar-nominated film explores the cost of conservation and the value of the rhino. A week ago, I had the privilege of attending the Johannesburg premiere of the Oscar-nominated short film 'The Last Ranger', a powerful film that highlights endangered rhinos and South Africa's poaching crisis while exploring the emotional and ecological realities of rhino poaching in the country. The film has not only captivated international audiences, earning a nomination for Best Live Action Short Film at the 97th Academy Awards, but it has also ignited an important conversation about wildlife conservation and the challenges faced by local filmmakers. True story The last Ranger. Picture: Supplied Based on true events and told largely in isiXhosa, The Last Ranger follows Khuselwa, a committed game ranger in the Eastern Cape, and Litha, a curious young Xhosa girl who becomes her apprentice. Together, they represent two generations grappling with the dangers of poaching and the cultural weight of protecting one of the world's most endangered animals, the rhino. 'This isn't just a film; it's a window into a world many of us rarely see,' said Maluṱa Netshaulu, head of social impact portfolio development at Nedbank, who spoke at the premiere. ALSO READ:BET, MTV Africa and other channels may shut down as Paramount reviews strategy 'It's a reminder of the massive costs, both monetary and emotional, that conservation demands.' Although The Last Ranger didn't take home the Oscar, its impact is undeniable. Director Cindy Lee and her team at Kindred Films and Studio Aether have delivered a visually arresting and emotionally stirring piece that highlights the intersection of environmental protection, cultural tradition, and socioeconomic factors. From awe to anger Maluṱa Netshaulu, head of social impact portfolio development at Nedbank. Picture: Supplied In a nutshell, you will cry watching it. 'After watching The Last Ranger, I can say with confidence that we're all experiencing a mix of emotions, from awe to sadness and a touch of anger,' said Netshaulu. 'That's the power of good storytelling.' Filmed in remote parts of the Eastern Cape, the production faced numerous challenges, including the high cost of working with animals. The film's rhino star, 'Thandi', was played by multiple animals. Yet the team persevered, determined to show the world what's at stake. The young actress who plays Litha, a 14-year-old with a deep emotional connection to the role, brought added authenticity. 'I tear up easily,' she said at the screening, 'and there were many scenes that made it feel very real. Litha's love for rhinos mirrors my own.' The Last Ranger is also a poignant commentary on the lack of support for the arts in South Africa. Rhino safety While the country has no shortage of compelling stories, many filmmakers struggle to secure the financial backing needed to bring their visions to life. 'Getting funding for a film in South Africa is incredibly hard,' said director Cindy Lee. 'We approached people who believed in the story. And we were lucky that Nedbank and the WWF got behind us.' Speaking to Netshaulu, I learned something new. The involvement extended beyond monetary support. For more than 35 years, the bank has collaborated with WWF through the Green Trust, a flagship conservation fund committed to building sustainable partnerships between nature and communities. This commitment is evident in other impactful projects supported by the trust. Community involvement The Last Ranger cast members. Picture: Supplied In KwaZulu-Natal, the Somkhanda Game Reserve is a Big Five reserve owned entirely by the Gumbi people. 'With Green Trust support, the community receives direct tourism revenue, which funds schools, clinics, and local businesses,' he said. ALSO READ: WATCH: Build One South Africa's Mmusi Maimane's gets his PhD In Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park, partnerships between Wildlife ACT, Ezemvelo, and local communities focus on human-wildlife coexistence and support for small-scale entrepreneurs. 'That's how conservation can work for people, not against them,' said Netshaulu. Back in the film, the emotional stakes are high. Khuselwa's role as a ranger is a symbol of strength and sacrifice, and her mentorship of Litha shows the transmission of values across generations. The tension in the film is not just about poachers and rhinos but about survival, identity, hope, and love for the natural surroundings. While it has yet to be released in South African cinemas, its message is already reverberating. The Last Ranger's impact is undeniable. It has opened a much-needed dialogue — not only about wildlife, but about the wild terrain of independent filmmaking in South Africa. It will leave you deeply moved and, perhaps, a little more inspired to protect what's ours.
The Herald Scotland
21-06-2025
- The Herald Scotland
Why is today the longest day of the year? Explaining summer solstice
Recognized as a day of extra sunlight that ushers in warmer weather to come, the solstice is also celebrated in multiple cultures and religions. It marks the start of the Pagan holiday Litha, also known as Midsummer, which is famously celebrated at the ancient Stonehenge ruins in Wiltshire, England, where many gather to herald the season. Here's what to know about the solstice. What is the summer solstice? The summer solstice marks the beginning of summer in the Northern Hemisphere and the longest day of the year. Meanwhile, the Southern Hemisphere will greet winter with its winter solstice. When is the summer solstice? The summer solstice will take place on Friday, June 20, at 10:42 p.m. ET, according to The solstice itself only lasts moments, according to the Old Farmer's Almanac. The date of the summer solstice can fall at any point between June 20 and June 22, depending on the year. Why is the summer solstice the longest day of the year? During the summer solstice, the Earth's tilt brings our planet's northernmost point closer to the sun, resulting in more hours of sunlight and fewer hours of night. "The Northern Hemisphere's tilt toward the Sun is greatest on this day," according to NASA. "This means the Sun travels its longest, highest arc across the sky all year for those north of the equator." Solstice marks time of celebration for some Several locations around the world are particularly known for celebrating the solstice, including Newgrange in Ireland. Solstices are often associated with pagan religions and draw revelers of different faiths. Pagans come by the thousands to Stonehenge, the prehistoric ruins of a monument built between approximately 3100 and 1600 BC in Wiltshire, England. It is one of the most famous landmarks in the U.K., but little is known about the civilization that built it or why, as these ancient peoples left no written records behind. It was during the 20th century that Stonehenge became a site of religious significance to people who subscribed to New Age beliefs, including Neopaganism and Neo-Druids, according to USA TODAY's previous reporting. When constructed, the stone circle was aligned with the sun, and to this day, thousands of people gather to witness the moment the sun peeks perfectly through its pillars.
Yahoo
21-06-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Is today the longest day of the year? What to know about summer solstice.
The longest day of the year, and the official start of summer, has arrived in the U.S. The summer solstice takes place Friday, June 20, and will be both the longest day and shortest night of 2025 in the Northern Hemisphere, according to the National Weather Service (NWS). Recognized as a day of extra sunlight that ushers in warmer weather to come, the solstice is also celebrated in multiple cultures and religions. It marks the start of the Pagan holiday Litha, also known as Midsummer, which is famously celebrated at the ancient Stonehenge ruins in Wiltshire, England, where many gather to herald the season. Here's what to know about the solstice. The summer solstice marks the beginning of summer in the Northern Hemisphere and the longest day of the year. Meanwhile, the Southern Hemisphere will greet winter with its winter solstice. The summer solstice will take place on Friday, June 20, at 10:42 p.m. ET, according to The solstice itself only lasts moments, according to the Old Farmer's Almanac. The date of the summer solstice can fall at any point between June 20 and June 22, depending on the year. During the summer solstice, the Earth's tilt brings our planet's northernmost point closer to the sun, resulting in more hours of sunlight and fewer hours of night. "The Northern Hemisphere's tilt toward the Sun is greatest on this day," according to NASA. "This means the Sun travels its longest, highest arc across the sky all year for those north of the equator." Several locations around the world are particularly known for celebrating the solstice, including Newgrange in Ireland. Solstices are often associated with pagan religions and draw revelers of different faiths. Pagans come by the thousands to Stonehenge, the prehistoric ruins of a monument built between approximately 3100 and 1600 BC in Wiltshire, England. It is one of the most famous landmarks in the U.K., but little is known about the civilization that built it or why, as these ancient peoples left no written records behind. It was during the 20th century that Stonehenge became a site of religious significance to people who subscribed to New Age beliefs, including Neopaganism and Neo-Druids, according to USA TODAY's previous reporting. When constructed, the stone circle was aligned with the sun, and to this day, thousands of people gather to witness the moment the sun peeks perfectly through its pillars. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Why is today the longest day of the year? Explaining summer solstice
Indianapolis Star
20-06-2025
- Science
- Indianapolis Star
Is today the longest day of the year? What to know about summer solstice.
The longest day of the year, and the official start of summer, has arrived in the U.S. The summer solstice takes place Friday, June 20, and will be both the longest day and shortest night of 2025 in the Northern Hemisphere, according to the National Weather Service (NWS). Recognized as a day of extra sunlight that ushers in warmer weather to come, the solstice is also celebrated in multiple cultures and religions. It marks the start of the Pagan holiday Litha, also known as Midsummer, which is famously celebrated at the ancient Stonehenge ruins in Wiltshire, England, where many gather to herald the season. Here's what to know about the solstice. The summer solstice marks the beginning of summer in the Northern Hemisphere and the longest day of the year. Meanwhile, the Southern Hemisphere will greet winter with its winter solstice. The summer solstice will take place on Friday, June 20, at 10:42 p.m. ET, according to The solstice itself only lasts moments, according to the Old Farmer's Almanac. The date of the summer solstice can fall at any point between June 20 and June 22, depending on the year. During the summer solstice, the Earth's tilt brings our planet's northernmost point closer to the sun, resulting in more hours of sunlight and fewer hours of night. "The Northern Hemisphere's tilt toward the Sun is greatest on this day," according to NASA. "This means the Sun travels its longest, highest arc across the sky all year for those north of the equator." Several locations around the world are particularly known for celebrating the solstice, including Newgrange in Ireland. Solstices are often associated with pagan religions and draw revelers of different faiths. Pagans come by the thousands to Stonehenge, the prehistoric ruins of a monument built between approximately 3100 and 1600 BC in Wiltshire, England. It is one of the most famous landmarks in the U.K., but little is known about the civilization that built it or why, as these ancient peoples left no written records behind.
USA Today
20-06-2025
- Science
- USA Today
Is today the longest day of the year? What to know about summer solstice.
The longest day of the year, and the official start of summer, has arrived in the U.S. The summer solstice takes place Friday, June 20, and will be both the longest day and shortest night of 2025 in the Northern Hemisphere, according to the National Weather Service (NWS). Recognized as a day of extra sunlight that ushers in warmer weather to come, the solstice is also celebrated in multiple cultures and religions. It marks the start of the Pagan holiday Litha, also known as Midsummer, which is famously celebrated at the ancient Stonehenge ruins in Wiltshire, England, where many gather to herald the season. Here's what to know about the solstice. What is the summer solstice? The summer solstice marks the beginning of summer in the Northern Hemisphere and the longest day of the year. Meanwhile, the Southern Hemisphere will greet winter with its winter solstice. When is the summer solstice? The summer solstice will take place on Friday, June 20, at 10:42 p.m. ET, according to The solstice itself only lasts moments, according to the Old Farmer's Almanac. The date of the summer solstice can fall at any point between June 20 and June 22, depending on the year. Why is the summer solstice the longest day of the year? During the summer solstice, the Earth's tilt brings our planet's northernmost point closer to the sun, resulting in more hours of sunlight and fewer hours of night. "The Northern Hemisphere's tilt toward the Sun is greatest on this day," according to NASA. "This means the Sun travels its longest, highest arc across the sky all year for those north of the equator." Solstice marks time of celebration for some Several locations around the world are particularly known for celebrating the solstice, including Newgrange in Ireland. Solstices are often associated with pagan religions and draw revelers of different faiths. Pagans come by the thousands to Stonehenge, the prehistoric ruins of a monument built between approximately 3100 and 1600 BC in Wiltshire, England. It is one of the most famous landmarks in the U.K., but little is known about the civilization that built it or why, as these ancient peoples left no written records behind. It was during the 20th century that Stonehenge became a site of religious significance to people who subscribed to New Age beliefs, including Neopaganism and Neo-Druids, according to USA TODAY's previous reporting. When constructed, the stone circle was aligned with the sun, and to this day, thousands of people gather to witness the moment the sun peeks perfectly through its pillars.
