The South African Green Industries Council (SAGIC) is pleased to announce that Rand Water – Water Wise will continue its Platinum Sponsor partner status with SAGIC for 2026. SAGIC is a voluntary NPC umbrella organisation representing the greater green industry which, by its very nature, is fully reliant on accessibility to water and therefore ascribes to the intelligent use of water. The partnership with Rand Water-Water Wise is viewed as vital for the green industry; the int

A masterclass in contemporary botanical drawing will be held on 8 July 2026 at Vergelegen Wine Estate in Somerset West, Cape Town. Guided by renowned botanical artist Sally Arnold, participants will explore how to plan, compose and execute a botanical artwork inspired by Vergelegen’s celebrated camellia collection. The programme is structured to help artists refine their technique, elevate their individual style and reinterpret a classical subject. Ms Arnold has studios in bo

This book, edited by Maliga Naidoo, identifies the urgent need to reshape urban environments, enabling public service officials worldwide to address the pressing issues confronting the population – from lifestyle diseases and social inequity to the climate crisis. As governments are tasked with serving the people and safeguarding the land, the concept of urban sustainability lies in the ability of cities to respond to the immediate needs of their residents, while preserving r

Drops of Life is an open source, 3D-printable device that channels air conditioner condensation into a clean, safe water source for urban birds, helping them to cope with heat stress and water scarcity in cities such as Johannesburg and Cape Town. Birds are feeling the effects of a warming planet, higher temperatures and a lack of clean water; this correlates with lower bird diversity. Outside of offices and apartments, birds are vulnerable to physiologocal stress and in some

A strategic brand consolidation has been launched under the Atrax umbrella, one of the world’s premier hubs for the recreation and park industries. Aquafun, a pioneer in pool and spa technologies, and Outdes, the prestigious brand for landscape and outdoor living, have joined forces to reposition themselves as a single powerhouse – Aqualand. Aqualand brings together water engineering and landscape architecture—two integral components of modern design—on a single, unified plat

Garden Walk retail and lifestyle centre has been launched in Hartenbos to serve the growing Mossel Bay region and broader Garden Route. Hartenbos is a well-known coastal town near George, forming part of the greater Mossel Bay region. It supports a growing residential community and offers a range of amenities including schools, churches and sports clubs. Developed by Moolman Group in partnership with Dorpstraat and Organic Coral Developments, the centre fits their ethos of

The Beekman Group has officially launched Menlyn Mix, its latest urban hospitality development in Pretoria’s Menlyn precinct. It provides guests with accommodation that allows them to work while enjoying the lifestyle benefits of a mixed-use environment. Guests will find themselves at the centre of Pretoria’s business and retail corridor, and can enjoy self-catering apartments, integrated meeting infrastructures and lifestyle amentities. The development is purpose-built to

South Africa’s forestry sector contributes an estimated R8 billion to the country’s GDP, while supporting more than 150 000 jobs and livelihoods – many of them in rural areas where economic opportunities are limited. The sector also supports a further R58 billion in value-added activity across downstream industries such as sawmilling, pulp and paper, packaging and construction. Forestry is often viewed through an environmental lens, but its economic contribution is equally

South Africa’s paper recycling rate reached 63.3% in 2025, up from 60% in 2024. Through paper mills, small recycling businesses and informal waste pickers, about 1.2 million tons of paper and packaging are diverted from landfill each year and returned to the recycling loop, where they are used again to produce new paper products such as tissue and packaging. PAMSA (Paper Manufacturers Association of South Africa) says that progress has been made but there is still room for

Addressing the urgent need for organic waste diversion, Oricol Environmental Services and Cape Town Biogas have partnered to transform how the Western Cape handles organic waste, moving beyond simple disposal to a true zero-waste-to-landfill outcome. The two companies participate in an organic waste diversion pathway anchored by a bio-digestion facility in Athlone. This facility, which serves various waste management providers, is currently the only plant in Africa capable of

Brahman Hills, an award-winning destination in the KZN Midlands, has announced a multi-million investment into its Serenity Garden, a tourism development anchored by what is set to become the world’s largest labyrinth. The Serenity Garden is designed as a sanctuary for quiet reflection, where guests can reconnect with nature, art and themselves. Not only will it attract tourists, but the construction of the Serenity Garden and other expansions will create jobs in the areas of

In turf management and horticulture, maintaining healthy, resilient grass and plants requires innovative solutions. Sandy soils, common on golf courses and sports facilities, present a problem as nutrients leach away quickly after rainfall or frequent irrigation, leaving turf under-nourished despite regular fertilisation. This creates a costly cycle of repeated applications with diminishing returns. Poor turf quality not only affects aesthetic appeal but also increases long-t

South Africa’s tourism and travel industry has launched the Tourism & Travel Green Lung at Vergelegen Wine Estate in Somerset West. This is an initiative designed to help tourism and travel sector businesses, including SMMEs, become climate-resilient while embedding environmental, social and governance (ESG) practices into daily operations. The programme is led by Sigma International, in partnership with industry and funding partners such as Anglo American Zimele, the Souther

Eskom, the Government of the Netherlands and the Mpumalanga Provincial Government have launched the Grootvlei Climate Smart Horticulture Centre at the Grootvlei Power Station, linking South Africa’s Just Energy Transition to local economic opportunities in climate-smart food production and skills development. Eight community members from the Dipaleseng Municipality are being trained as greenhouse facilitators and 75 agri-preneurs, also community members, will participate in t

The Western Cape has added 47 000 hectares to its conservation estate through the declaration of two new nature reserves and the expansion of two others. This expansion in protected areas provides space for Cape mountain zebras to breed and improves the protection of many threatened succulent plants, mammals and bird species across the province. The declarations have increased the size of two existing nature reserves, Anysberg in the Karoo and Knersvlakte in Namaqualand. The

The Cape Town Marriott Hotel Crystal Towers has achieved its first Green Key certification, in recognition of its commitment to environmental stewardship, community empowerment and responsible tourism. WESSA (Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa) is the national operator of the Green Key programme in South Africa and commended the hotel’s achievement as a model for responsible hospitality in the Western Cape. Located in a water-sensitive region, the hotel continue

Groot Phesantekraal View is a new shopping and lifestyle destination in Cape Town’s northern suburb of Durbanville. Developed by Abland Property Developers in collaboration with Sasol Pension Fund, it functions as a vital part of this precinct, which combines the charm of the area’s historical farming roots with modern developments that cater to the region’s evolving needs. Durbanville, known for its wine estates and family-friendly environment, is rapidly becoming one of the

The August 2025 trade day marked a new chapter for the Cape Green Forum as it hosted its first event at Mistico Equestrian Estate. Set in the winelands, the new venue proved to be a perfect fit for the green industry as it is surrounded by ample open space, and exhibitors as well as attendees agreed that the setting elevated the entire experience. Extensive networking took place on the day, old relationships were strengthened and new partnerships formed - all inspired by the

Brahman Hills in the KZN Midlands is creating a serenity garden, set to become the world’s largest labyrinth. Once complete, Guiness World Records will be invited to verify this status. Traditionally used in spiritual rituals and healing spaces, labyrinths feature a single, winding path inward to a central point and out again, offering a purposeful, meditative journey. Inspired by sacred geometry and ancient walking meditations, the labyrinth will weave through a curated la

Sappi Limited, a global producer of woodfibre-based materials, continues to redefine its role in the bio-economy by expanding beyond traditional paper and packaging into renewable alternatives. At the heart of its operations are over 400 000 hectares of sustainably managed plantations in South Africa. These tree farms are cultivated specifically for industrial use. Plantation forestry plays a vital role in carbon sequestration, biodiversity protection and rural job creation.