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Mail & Guardian
25-05-2025
- Mail & Guardian
South Africa's natural wealth should benefit everyone
People must be reconnected to their natural heritage for conservation to create jobs. Last month, I had a brief conversation that continues to haunt me. While dining at a restaurant in one of Cape Town's tourist hotspots, I met Ntando — a 42-year-old waitress. Though she works in the heart of a global biodiversity hotspot and World Heritage Site, her words were jarring: 'Conservation means nothing to me and my family.' Ntando, a single mother of three daughters, walks four hours daily to and from her minimum-wage job. With no direct public transport to her workplace, she relies on unreliable commuting options. Surrounded daily by the 'I can barely make ends meet,' she told me. 'But, more than that, I worry about what future awaits my daughters.' Ntando's story reveals a painful truth. While generations before her might have been stewards of this land, the modern conservation economy has pushed her to its margins. She represents millions of South Africans living beside natural treasures who have been excluded from both decision-making and the economic opportunities these areas offer. This systematic exclusion not only perpetuates inequality but threatens the very sustainability of conservation — no ecosystem can thrive long-term when the people who live within it are treated as afterthoughts rather than essential partners. The natural wealth around us South Africa is one of the world's most naturally rich countries. Our land holds nearly According to Statistics South Africa, nature-based tourism directly contributed And yet, the benefits of this wealth do not reach the majority of South Africans. Even worse, illegal wildlife trade and habitat destruction cost us between A new path forward At the UN Development Programme First, we need to redirect the money. Research from the University of Cape Town shows Second, we should embrace new technologies to unlock conservation financing. Digital platforms like Through Wildcards, technology enthusiasts become 'guardians' of virtual animals or conservation projects by purchasing uniquely designed digital wildlife cards. Each guardian makes regular donations to conservation organisations until someone else purchases their card. This approach could operate on an even larger scale — imagine a regulated South African marketplace for similar conservation investments where most proceeds directly support community-led initiatives. This could generate millions while creating jobs Third, we must give local communities real power in conservation decisions and management. Studies show that conservation programmes designed with community input are The cost of continuing as we are If we continue on the current path, we risk irreversible biodiversity loss and growing socio-economic instability. Our But there's hope in change. Projections from the South African National Biodiversity Institute suggest that inclusive conservation models could create At UNDP-BIOFIN, we're working with the government, businesses, investors and communities to create new ways of funding biodiversity protection that benefit everyone. With our partners, we've launched a platform connecting nature-focused entrepreneurs with impact investors and development funders. But technical solutions alone aren't enough — we need a fundamental shift in how conservation is understood, accepted and practised. For Ntando and millions like her, conservation must matter When I think about Ntando's daily four-hour walk to serve tourists who come to admire 'pristine' landscapes, the disconnect is chilling. Her family once lived in harmony with this land, but exclusionary conservation approaches severed that relationship, sometimes turning stewards into spectators. True conservation must translate into real, visible benefits for people like Ntando: secure jobs, sustainable income and a brighter future for their children. It must reconnect communities with their natural heritage and recognise them as rightful partners, not obstacles. Only by placing communities at the heart of nature financing can we transform it from a perceived burden to a national opportunity. South Africa's natural wealth belongs to all its citizens — it's time our approach to protecting it reflected that reality. Deshni Pillay is the head of the Nature, Climate and Energy portfolio at the UN Development Programme South Africa.
Al Jazeera
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Al Jazeera
Daredevil biker stuns Indonesia's night fair crowd with fearless stunts
On the motorbike seat, she started the engine, sped up and began a death-defying performance inside the track known as Satan's Barrel. Sri Wahyuni was the star of the most-awaited performance at the night fair in the outskirts of Medan city in Indonesia's North Sumatra province. She began riding Satan's Barrel at 17, drawn to it by curiosity while searching for work. Now 25, she's a key performer in this iconic Indonesian night fair act. Riding in Satan's Barrel requires courage. The riders don't wear helmets on the velodrome track, also known as the Wall of Death. Wahyuni always rides with one other biker, and sometimes as many as five ride on the circular track, its painted wooden walls 6 to 10 metres (19 to 33 feet) in diameter. That, of course, makes the audience nervous. Wahyuni works at least four hours a night. One recent evening, the single mother took her 5-year-old daughter to the fair, fed her, then let her wait at the ticket box during the show. At the end of the performance, the women spread their arms and even held hands on their motorbikes, signalling the finale. The audience stuck out their hands to give money from the top of the barrel, and Wahyuni and her partner welcomed the bills one by one, a tip for the excitement they presented that night. Afterwards, they tidied up the bikes and counted their tips. Wahyuni earns a weekly salary, but the tips help with rent and daily needs for her small family. She admits it is difficult for her to find a new job or start a business by herself. 'I am hoping for the best. I think there is no way I can keep working like this,' Wahyuni said.
Yahoo
18-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
I play alongside my kids now that they're older more than I did when they were toddlers
When my kids were young, I often felt tired of playing with toys by the time I was done with work. We connected in other ways and loved dancing together and being silly throughout the day. Now they're older, and I love "big kid" toys, like board games and video games, and we play more. I've been taking care of kids since I was a teenager. It started with babysitting, tutoring, and eventually working as a nanny. When I became a speech-language pathologist in my early 30s, I learned that playing with young children is a huge part of language growth and bonding. For years, I spent my workday on the floor, playing pretend and zooming a car down a track hundreds of times to teach vocabulary and speech sounds. While I was spending all day with other people's kids, I also had three young kids of my own. As a single mother, after work, I was completely "played out." I couldn't stand the idea of spending even more time sitting on the floor, doing the same repetitive task. But I knew that quality time and communication were important for my kids' development. Instead of playing with toys, I focused on embodying playfulness. I prioritized meaningful, joyful engagement during everyday tasks. When we cooked together or did chores, we got silly and danced. When we went on walks, we talked about everything we saw. We rode the ferry, hiked, and tried new cuisines together. Wherever we went, I made sure to keep my phone in my purse unless I really needed it. When I truly needed time to myself, I made sure to tell my kids we'd spend time together after I recharged. But I'd do so in a soft, developmentally appropriate way by saying something like, "Let's bake cookies in 20 minutes," and setting a timer. Because this was a normal part of our routine, my kids didn't seem to mind. They often played independently or with each other. From my training, I knew that the most important part was telling my kids the plan in a way they could understand and sticking to it. This built trust, modeled healthy communication, and set kind boundaries. Now, my kids are 15, 13, and 10. As they've gotten older, we started scheduling designated fun time together to make sure we don't get lost in the rush of dinner, homework, and extracurriculars. Last month, my 10-year-old wanted to wander around the local plant nursery, where he could smell the herbs and buy a vine for his bedroom window. My 15-year-old and I spent time learning to animate our illustrations together on Procreate Dreams. My 13-year-old and I still love baking unique treats, and we use The Great British Baking Show as inspiration. I've also realized I love "big kid" toys more than I expected. A couple of years ago, we invested in board games for our family Christmas present, and last year, we had a blast playing our first video game together. I love finding new ways to goof off together, and we try to play games together twice a month as a family. My favorite part of the year with my kids is Thanksgiving, when we travel to a rural cabin. Half the trunk is filled with new board games, rackets, DIY obstacle courses, and craft materials. The best part is that all three of my kids often teach me how to play, and as I learn their games, I learn more about how they think. My son recently guided me through Roblox, and even though I called on my vintage Nintendo skills when we found Kirby's Return to Dreamland, I still had a lot to learn. As he explained strategies in both games, I could tell he cared about both of us having a good time. He often came to rescue me in Kirby when I couldn't figure out how to get out of a maze or beat a villain. When I truly couldn't understand the point of Roblox after several sessions, my son said, "Figuring it out together is the whole awesome point!" And he was right. My relationship with my kids has grown and changed over the years. For us, joyful connection is all about discovery and finding ways to make ordinary moments extraordinary. Read the original article on Business Insider
The Independent
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
AP PHOTOS: A death-defying ride and a night's earnings in Satan's Barrel
On the motorbike seat, she started the engine, sped up and began a death-defying performance inside the track known as the Satan 's Barrel. Sri Wahyuni was the star of the most-awaited performance at the night fair in the outskirts of Medan city in Indonesia's North Sumatra province. She began riding the Satan's Barrel at 17, drawn to it by curiosity while searching for work. Now 25, she's a key performer in this iconic Indonesian night fair act. Riding in the Satan's Barrel requires courage. The riders don't wear helmets on the velodrome track also known as the Wall of Death. Wahyuni always rides with one other biker, and sometimes as many as five ride on the circular track, its painted wooden walls 6 to 10 meters (19 to 33 feet) in diameter. That, of course, makes the audience nervous. Wahyuni works at least four hours a night. One recent evening, the single mother took her 5-year-old daughter to the fair, fed her, then let her wait at the ticket box during the show. At the end of the performance, the women spread their arms and even held hands on their motorbikes, signaling the finale. The audience stuck out their hands to give money from the top of the barrel, and Wahyuni and her partner welcomed the bills one by one, a tip for the excitement they presented that night. Afterward, they tidied up the bikes and counted their tips. Wahyuni earns a weekly salary, but the tips help with rent and daily needs for her small family. She admits it is difficult for her to find a new job or start a business by herself. 'I am hoping for the best. I think there is no way I can keep working like this,' Wahyuni said. ___ Tarigan reported from Jakarta, Indonesia.
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Yahoo
Woman says she was tricked when selling car online using Zelle
A woman says she got tricked by a man who she thought was going to buy her car through Facebook Marketplace. She was selling it for her son's college tuition money, but now she's out a lot of the money. 'It was in good shape,' Katonya Douglas said. She said she's a single mother of five with one going to college. She planned to sell a car she didn't need and use the money for her son's tuition. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] 'I had several bites. (I) Wish I had taken the first one,' she laughed. Instead, she went with another offer. She said they met at a DMV office and that he paid her some cash. 'So then he sends me a Zelle for $2,800. And I receive a message from my bank that says payment received,' Douglas said. 'I trusted that and I gave him my car and my keys and my title,' she said. 'The next morning, it says 'payment failed.'' She said he ended up giving her a few hundred dollars more, but then ghosted her. TRENDING STORIES: GA student taken into ICE custody after traffic stop pulled over by mistake, police say Georgia's Most Wanted Georgia AG announces Brookhaven woman convicted in $305K Medicaid fraud scheme So she filed a police report and is trying to raise the money back for her son's tuition. 'I am typically a very smart person. I think I'm just a little trusting. A little bit too trusting and everything is easy to scam nowadays,' she said. Usually, when you transfer money with Zelle, it's a done deal. A lot of scam victims have found that out the hard way when they get tricked into sending money. But the company behind Zelle said if you're the one receiving the money through the app, always check your bank account to make sure the money is there before moving on. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
