Cape Times 2023-12-21

The Save Our Seas Foundation has released its award-winning short documentary, Older Than Trees, created in collaboration with Sea Change Project and directed by Pippa Ehrlich, co- director of the Oscar- and Bafta- winning My Octopus Teacher. Older Than Trees shares the story of shark scientist Dr James Lea, a field biologist deeply committed to a hopeful future for sharks and rays. In his first few years as a field biologist, he fell in love with silky sharks in the Red Sea, where he interacted with them and learned their individual personalities. But in the space of just a few years he watched as almost every animal he had known was lost to overfishing. Heartbroken and helpless, Lea resolved to use his expertise as a scientist to protect sharks in…

The delightful production Pumpkin Finds Her Kindness, directed by Nico Scheepers, is on this week at the Artscape Theatre. The show is loaded with music, song, dance, comedy and puppetry and delivers a wonderfully uplifting and positive message about overcoming sadness and inner monsters such as envy and jealousy with kindness, love, good deeds and friendship. Bianca Flanders wrote the book, one in a series of four about Pumpkin, and turned it into an uplifting 45-minute show, a three-hander that stars Flanders, Miché van Wyk and the multiple award-winning actor Dean Balie, all of whom play several roles. The stage comes alive with vibrant characters and an imaginative set, transporting audiences into Pumpkin’s world of self-discovery. Through laughter and heart-warming moments, Pumpkin soon realises that her kindness lies within and…

THE Baxter will usher in 2024 with two exciting shows – Marc Lottering’s So I Wrote That Musical and Loukmaan and Emo Adams in Two of a Kind. True to tradition the season’s festivities will peak with the popular New Year’s Eve party which is back with a bang, and takes place after the performances on December 31. Both shows will start later on the night and ticket prices include the New Year’s Eve bash when the stars will count down 2023 with a spectacular balloon drop, a complimentary glass of bubbly or juice and a DJ on the decks, playing some evergreen, favourite dance tunes. Lottering continues to delight audiences with his brand-new stand-up comedy show, So I Wrote That Musical, which runs until January 6. Audiences and media…

The Helderberg Night Market is set to transform Strand Square, located at the corner of Main Road and Fagan Street, into a bustling hub of entertainment, culinary delights and artisan treasures today and tomorrow. It’s an annual event that brings together the community to celebrate local talent, cuisine and craftsmanship. With a focus on creating a vibrant and inclusive atmosphere, the market aims to showcase the unique spirit of the Helderberg region. Attendees will be captivated by live performances from local musicians, dancers and artists. They can indulge their taste buds in a gastronomic adventure with a diverse array of foods from various cultures, including street food and gourmet treats, and get to stroll through the market and discover an eclectic mix of arts, handcrafts, gifts and accessories. They can…

South Africa was open to exploring different avenues on where and how proposed mediation and conflict resolution in the Middle East would take place. The country was also open to playing a supportive role to regional states regarding mediation and conflict resolution, as well as the mediation and conflict resolution work led by the US, EU and Russia. “The mediation process could be held in South Africa, Israel, Palestine or in any country in the Middle East region,” said International Relations and Co-operation Minister Naledi Pandor. In October, Pandor said in her executive statement in Parliament that South Africa was calling for an immediate ceasefire of hostilities in the Middle East. At the time she had called for restraint and peace between Israel and Palestine, and extended an offer for…

TRANSPORT Minister Sindisiwe Chikunga has once again urged motorists and road users to be safe on the roads as she led yet another festive season Road Safety Awareness Campaign. The minister’s message comes just when Arrive Alive confirmed an incident in which a truck driver reportedly fell unconscious after choking from inhaling smoke after cooking with a gas stove while driving on the N3. Reports indicate that the driver was rescued by community members who removed him from the truck. It is reported that the driver is in a critical condition following suspected carbon monoxide poisoning. Yesterday Chikunga took the safety campaign to Heidelburg’s Weighbridge on the N3 near Johannesburg, where she urged road users to exercise caution on the country’s roads as carnage continues to rise. Western Cape traffic…