Hi again
Herewith, some snippets from various sources.
I appeal to you to send me items to distribute to our members for the Cleft Stick, the Game Ranger magazine and to be posted on the web site. These are your magazine and website, so ensure it gets the news that you would like to see in it.
Please let me have any changes to your physical address, phone no. or e-mail address to keep the database up to date.
Thanks to all of you who have made the effort. Please will any of you who know of members who do not get this “electric” Cleft~Stick, & have access to e-mail, pass their address along to me.
Don Yunnie
7 Chalet Drive, Hilton, 3245, South Africa Local Tel & Fax (033) 343 1534 Int. Tel & Fax (+2733) 343 1534 cell 082 377 7562 E-mail dyunnie@xsinet.co.za.
If you do not wish to receive this e-mail newsletter please send a blank e-mail to me at the above address with the word “unsubscribe C~S ” as the message heading.
The Real Inconvenient Truth
By Randy Alcorn
Al Gore’s Academy Award winning slide show demonstrating the current and ongoing threat to the Earth’s ecosystem from global warming argues the case that manmade pollution is the cause of impending global disaster. Gore presents his alarming data as an “Inconvenient Truth.” And, if indeed, as the majority of scientists agree, global warming is the cataclysmic consequence of human consumptive activity, why does Gore’s documentary devote so little attention to the most obvious and prominent truth of all, that the prolific growth in human population is the ultimate root cause of all the ecological horrors he exposes and predicts?
As with so many Cassandras of ecological doom, Gore hardly mentions human population growth, even though it is the fundamental factor in the equation of ecological disaster. Rather, he prescribes the usual remedies of individual life style sacrifices like driving less, using less energy and water---living smaller. While this prescription is a prudent and responsible one for humans to swallow, it will not provide the ultimate global cure if human population growth is not reversed.
The equation of ecological destruction and human population growth is one of simple math. No matter how clever and inventive human technology can be, it will be overwhelmed by the explosive multiplication of unrelenting population growth. There is only so much land, water, and air. Those whose faith that yet-to-be invented technology will provide humanity’s salvation from the calamities of irresponsible over breeding are no more rational than those whose faith that yet-to-be seen deities will save mankind from its population predicament.
When it comes to human population, most of the ecological community along with most governments continue to pursue policies of accommodation rather than remediation there are dozens of organizations dedicated to saving animals, or forests, or rivers, or oceans, or birds, bats, and barn-owls, but only a handful that attack the root cause of the threat to all of these pet preservations---human population. Government planners, meanwhile, strategize mass transit, or build freeways on top of freeways, squeeze more housing onto less land, and convert seawater into drinking water.
As the pressures of population congestion translate into more crime and human despair, governments impose ever more laws and regulations on the population---an insidiously unrelenting process that erodes individual freedom and assaults institutions of democracy. Any democracy, even a representative democracy like America’s may ultimately succumb to the weight of its burgeoning population.
While Al Gore and other environmentalists call for substantial reductions in carbon emissions over the next couple of decades, they shy away form emphasizing the population factor in their calculations for salvation. Few of them are calling with equal emphasis for the substantial reduction in the growth of human population.
Even if the earth’s current human population of 6.6 billion were able to reduce its emissions of pernicious effluvia by 50 percent during the next forty years, at current rates of population growth the Earth will suffer an increase of yet another 3 billion people---a 50 percent increase---over the same 40 year period. The net effect on saving the planet amounts to zero.
The population of the United States, by far the most voracious consumers and the greatest producers of greenhouse gases per capita of any nation on Earth, has been doubling every 40 years and is headed for one billion before the end of this century. This injurious increase in population level is due almost entirely to unbridled foreign immigration mostly from nations whose populations have exceeded their resources and whose cultures, religions, and lack of education promote continued population growth.
Meanwhile the two most populous nations on earth, China and India, are rapidly industrializing and have the potential to consume more resources and produce more pollution than the smaller populations of the U.S. and Europe combined.
Calls for continued reductions in resource use and for restrictions in life-style choices in the face of unmitigated population growth is a tail-chasing strategy that leaves any clear-headed thinker dizzy. Even if the heroic efforts of human technology succeeded in squeezing more resources from a finite planet with which to sustain a human population of 9 billion or more, what is the point? Unless the growth of human population can be stopped and even reversed, all solutions, technological or otherwise, are ephemeral and ultimately futile. Humanity will be in constant crisis mode trying to sustain its burgeoning numbers until the inevitable correction is imposed by Nature. This is the real and most significant “inconvenient truth” that needs to be confronted by all of humanity.
Al gore’s list of “ten things to do” to help stop global warming does not include a single word about reducing population growth. With all the publicity and media coverage his film documentary has received, what a missed opportunity to educate his audience about the crucial factor in reducing global warming. The inconvenient truth is that human population has exceeded the healthy carrying capacity of the planet.
While it may be beneficial to replace incandescent light bulbs with fluorescent light bulbs, it would be more effective towards salvaging the planet to turn on light bulbs in minds darkened by political expediency and religious dogma. Those who surrender reason to religious and political doctrine and push the rubble of their misguided convictions into the path of prudent population reduction policies are complicit in condemning an entire planet to doom.
Rather than everyone on Earth sinking into a third world lifestyle of deprivation and rationing, and disease ridden overcrowding, it makes far more sense to limit our numbers so that all people can spend their time on earth living in dignity, freedom and comfort.
Locals stand their ground on mining plans
Grassroots resistance could scuttle plans by an Australian company wanting to mine Transkei's Wild Coast. Fred Kockott reports
July 01, 2007 Edition 1
Fred Kockott
Seated on beer crates around a cattle kraal on the Wild Coast, a small gathering of tribal elders, headmen and residents this week resolved that their communal land was not on offer for mining.
Recent prospecting has revealed a heavy minerals deposit extending 22km from the Mzamba and Mtentu rivers south of Port Edward.
Mining representatives say this resource is the 10th largest heavy minerals deposit in the world. The Australian company, Mineral Resource Commodities Ltd (MRC), and its South African subsidiary, Transworld Energy and Mineral Resources (TEM), have since lodged a mining rights application.
Given political backing at all government levels, the mining representatives appear confident the application will be approved.
"I firmly believe it is going to go ahead. It is one of the most exciting projects in the country - a global resource worth $200 million (R1.4 billion)," said TEM general manager, Roger Barnes.
"This presents an opportunity to transform Pondoland into an economic hub."
But exactly what benefits mining might bring to the local community, particularly those who will live in its dust range, has become a contentious issue.
On Thursday, about 80 residents met tribal elders at the Mgungundlovu tribal court - concerned that decisions about the mining were being taken by "outsiders"' who were not consulting people directly affected, like those facing possible relocation if mining goes ahead.
The meeting appointed a "crisis committee" to liaise with district tribal authorities, local, provincial and national government - and the king of Pondoland - about these concerns.
The delegation sets off tomorrow, accompanying the local chief, Nkosi Ntabazakhe Maleni, for a meeting at the Amadiba district tribal authority.
To secure mining rights, TEM and the MRC have formed a Black Economic Empowerment partnership with the Xolobeni Empowerment Company (Xolco), underpinned by a shareholder's agreement giving Xolco directors a 26% share in the mining operation.
Xolco chairman Nomangesi Malunga is a district municipal employee. Malunga argues that the mining operation will bring benefits to the community, including clean water, electricity, household income, decent roads, better education and access to health facilities.
"Imagine how that will impact on family in a mud hut with no water, electricity or furniture," wrote Malunga in a recent letter. "Such a family eats hand-ground mealie meal every day and, if they are lucky, manages to kill a snake or monkey to provide protein."
Reservations
Amid cows grazing and chickens foraging near the Mnyameni River on Thursday, local headmen listened to people's reservations about promised benefits of mining operations.
Tourism guide Jabulani Mbuyisa alleged that mining representatives had also deliberately subverted and corrupted existing eco-tourism ventures in a bid to sell mining as the only viable development option.
He referred to the near-collapse of Amadiba Adventures which once ran successful horse-trails, beach walks and overnight camps.
"They've co-opted its directors on to Xolco. Now everything's a mess," said Mbuyisa, who formerly worked as an Amadiba Adventure guide.
Xolco representatives were also accused of falsely claiming to represent the wider community.
"These Xolco directors live far way from here. They are not going to be affected, and to say that everyone is going to benefit is a big lie, a very big lie," said crisis committee member Spring Gxolonza.
Observing the meeting, Johannesburg social worker and regular Wild Coast visitor John Clarke pledged support for the crisis committee, offering to raise funds for costs involved, including services of attorneys.
"I can't promise that there is already money in the bank, but if there is a popular mandate from the people here, it will make my job a lot easier," said Clarke, who leads a watchdog group, Sustaining the Wild Coast Association.
Accompanying Clarke was Johannesburg attorney Andiswa Mdoni.
Mdoni said it was obvious the government had not advised people of their rights.
"The national Environmental Management Act stipulates that if there is an application for open cast mining, the people affected must be equipped with knowledge and skills to participate in the public process, and be advised of the pros and cons and, in this case, how it will affect eco-tourism," said Mdoni.
"There must be a communal land agreement between the community and the government, before the government approves any mining application," said Mdoni.
Barnes and invited Xolco representatives did not attend Thursday's meeting at the Mgungundlovu tribal court. Barnes was in the area, but accompanying a senior official from the Department of Minerals and Energy.
Barnes said a lot of public misconceptions had been created by misleading media reports about the mining plans and consultations.
According to the mining website, the Xolobeni mineral sands deposit, as it is now called, comprises 360 million tons of 5% heavy mineral with a mine life of about 22 years.
The mining is expected to produce 25 000 tons of ilmenite, 19 000 tons of rutile, 15 000 tons of zircon and 15 000 tons of leucoxene each year.
These are all titanium minerals used principally for pigments in paints, papers and plastics.
Barnes said the Xolobeni project was estimated to generate R560 million yearly.
He said excavation would be shallow, dry, truck and shovel mining, with negligible environmental damage.
"The beauty of this mining method is that the mining area will be like a construction site. We are looking at a maximum annual disturbed area of 38ha."
Barnes said the mining would not encroach on beaches, estuarine systems, coastal vegetation or lands on which people were living.
Dust pollution, he said, would be an issue, though, requiring relocation of some families.
He said compensation would be offered to such families and that ultimately the legacy of the mining would be "a sustainable, rehabilitated area with considerably improved infrastructure, agriculture production and business opportunities".
Mdoni said if affected residents opposed the mining plans, Barnes's optimism about expected government approval could be shortlived.
Clarke agreed. "The real crunch is what people on the ground say."
MY TRIP TO ZAMBIA.
When I applied for the 'holiday job' advertised in the Cleft stick - ''Can cook and drive anything, hate doing radio, working with money gives me the willies and I don't look cute in shorts.'' - I did not really expect to be thumbing my way to Zambia a few weeks later.
Alcatraz has parallels on trying to get out of the Okavango where I live.
Air Botswana - in another habitual inspirational moment, cancelled all flights from Maun to Kasane permanently - so now all irate tourists (booked for the following two seasons) have priority on all 206's -but I eventually managed to camp hop and bump my way to Vic falls, then thumb from the border. Zigzagging other cars and mounting the broken pavement a couple of times, prompted me to enquire whether he had recently got his drivers license.
''Oh no Merem - I don't have one of those - but it's my babbilass that's the problem from last night Eish.''
I had a day at Faulty towers to recover after booking my bus ticket, and watched TV in-between the radio and the pool match in the same room. - But - I had reached Livingstone. I was on my way.
At the bus station early the following morning, a huge gentleman informed me he was a Zimbabwean lawyer - and ''wouldn't it be nice to discuss African Politics as it is a long way to Lusaka.'' When he jammed himself into the adjacent seat I promptly feinted and feigned death for the following seven
rigor mortis induced hours - brought on by a clear vision of spending the rest of the 'holiday' in a Zambian jail. As the bus turned into a sea of smiling faces at the Lusaka bus Central Station, I suddenly materialized with apologies - and fled . Besieged by a group of grinning taxi drivers I wondered what my next plan would be - however in their midst was a tall figure covered in a bush hat – thankfully Tom was there to meet me.
5 hours later we arrived at Kaingu .
A great dinner and comfortable sleep , and I was delighted to see the Lodge in the early morning light. The view of the fast flowing Kafui as the mist cleared off the pink water was magic. The unfamiliar mottled trees edged the wooden deck over the water and led up to a lovely, compact, well built, charming lodge which was obviously laid out after careful and clever planning. What a pleasure !
I envied the finishing touches, as coverstrips always have to hide the gaps between my grandiose visions and dubious carpentry abilities. I ached for the freedom of the open showers blending in to the rocks, shade cloth windows and glorious views without walls, compared to my ''Wilderness Guardian '' fortress on the banks of the Thamalekane river.
I suddenly had a momentary panic attack when shown the startling array of solar batteries, chargers, banks of panels, flashing diodes and reams of neat wiring. As a mobile guide - solar to me is getting up every day an hour before the crack of dawn and collapsing in a heap in my tent five hours after sunset.
When shown the satellite setup of the laptops and more batteries I suddenly remembered I had forgotten to mention I had only baby-sat one other Lodge out of season and that my personal war zone-office contains heaps of model aeroplanes and art stuff, one muddled file and ten boxes of faded receipts which I use as firelighters.
Hearing everything pinging and beeping I distinctly felt one coming on – but did not think another feint would win me one zot of sympathy. I thanked the Universe that a young Dutch man was there doing an internship on Systems control - and I bolted to the cleanest, most well organized Kitchen I have ever seen in a camp.
But my favourite hideout was the workshop/garage area - a pleasant walk through Miombo forest that yielded dassie, bushbuck, snakes and butterflies, and the occasional very unfriendly elephant. My grazed knee was a reminder that their paths comprised steps, roots and lumps of immovable granite rocks to which I am unaccustomed.
When work was done and the staff had gone home - there was time to wander along to the rapids, swim in the small pools and crawl around through the boulders watching dassies at play. A very pretty area to explore or lie on the warm rocks listening to the water tinkling around the bends. There
were dozens of beautiful small islands waiting to be explored.-covered in a dense tangle of waterberries and palms dipping into the water. A haven for crocodiles, sometimes leopard, elephant and lions. The river splits like ancient arthritic fingers, separating and rejoining, with rocks forming
constant detours as the water level drops.
The camping site is delightful. Two clean, charming, rustic, ablution rondawels with solar lights and hot water - grassy lawn, yet hauntingly beautiful views from tents, good bird life and peace. So campers stayed extra nights and left their compliments. Hippo and occasionally elephant wandered around at night and shy lion padded past on the road at eight in the morning - reminding me to wake up on walks to the hide and the solar pump.
Before Tom had left, we had all gone up to the huge egg-shaped granite outcrop, from which a 360-degree view of the surrounding canopy of forest was afforded. Looking into the sunset over the curvature of the earth with the full moon climbing behind us, I wondered if it would be possible to sit
there in time to come, and hear the roar of lions once again - no longer afraid to announce their presence to the ruthless poachers and outdated hunters, but to proclaim their rightful inheritance and be able to write their own epitaph.
There was a flash of the dying sun on the river in the 600 million year old granite riverbed, reflecting the possibility of an exciting and positive future for tourism in Zambia.
It is people like Tom and Vivienne that are out there making the difference.
Look them up - www. Kaingu-lodge.com
Cheers
Moira!
Seal Alert-SA Press Release, July 8, 2007
As Namibian Ministry digs in its heels to kill endangered baby seals and protect the jobs of 120 unskilled, unemployed, poor and destitute part-time seal clubbers - Francois Hugo of Seal Alert-SA, digs in further and releases Seal Clubbing Clip Number 2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KOzp_uh-3ls) and ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=onkt6VuAhnw), in an effort to end the hunt now, and protect 80 000 starving seal pups, 6000 bulls and the entire endangered seal species of Cape fur seals from being slaughtered.
One week into Namibia's seal annual cull. Citizen Newspapers lists Seal Alert-SA as Quote of the Week, "Throughout the world it is accepted that the fishing industry is over subscribed. It is ludicrous to contend that seals can compete with commercial fishing" - Francois Hugo, Seal Alert-SA.
Top stories on CNN
http://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/africa/07/06/namibia.seals.ap/index.html and FOXNews http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,288402,00.html.
Kill 'Them' All - Namibia Orders Sealers, As Environmental Conditions Worsen
2006 Namibian Fisheries states seal pup population 185 000. Dr JP Le Roux, Head of Marine Mammal Section Namibian Ministry of Fisheries and two other scientists found that natural pup mortality has increased during the past decade in January it is 30%, and between February - July (start of seal culling season) a further 32% mortality. Subtracting this natural mortality of 62% (January - July) from 185 000 pups born in December (mortality up by 100% from previous decades). Would leave the sealers on July 1, 70 000 pups to club. Namibian Ministry awarded an 85 000 pup quota for 2006. 80 000 for 2007.
In addition, Namibian scientists report another major mass die-off from starvation year in 2006 (mortality as high as 95% of the pups and half the adults). With environmental conditions worsening, a further mass die-off is expected in 2007. Namibian sealers reported "no more seal pups to kill - all dead". 2007, Namibian Ministry reduces seal pup quota 6%, and orders sealers to kill them all, setting the quota at 80 000 pups and 6000 bulls.
Building 'Berlin' walls around former seal island colonies. Banning entire seal colonies from small remote islands. Forced relocation on unlimited breeding desert mainlands. The mass death and clubbing of entire generations - Is this the Namibian answer, to endangered seal conservation?
Namibian Permanent Secretary Nangula Mbako of the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources told the media, "There is nothing new, neither interesting ... the issues raised are unfortunately outdated and have become repetitive". Yet, GlobeandMail, Washington Post, Namibian Economist, Namibian Government owned New Era, Herald Tribune, News24, CNN, FOXNews, Mail&Guardian, German BILD, Ireland News, Houston Chronicle, The Guardian UK, Sunday Independent, The Namibian, Weekend Argus, Citizen, Mercury and the Cape Times, just to name a few, all ran stories.
The largest cull of endangered marine mammals is NEWS, clearly the media and international public think so.
Seal cull up 470 per cent since Namibian independence.
1977 South Africa listed Cape fur seals as an Endangered CITES Appendix II species. 1989 the seal cull quota was 16000 (the seal population was larger then) of which only 6 285 pups were harvested. 2007 it is 80 000 (2006 it was 85 000)pups and 6000 bulls.
Announcing the 2007 sealing quota, stated that 80 per cent of the seal population has now re-colonised the unlimited desert mainland and only 20 per cent is left on their original breeding habitat offshore islands. This should make one stop and think?
Sealing originally took place only on the islands, involving 13 seal colonies. Since population surveys started in 1971, one original seal colony has increased in population size. 7 colonies have decreased. 5 original colonies are extinct, including the largest one. This is what Namibia does not want anyone to know.
For the Seals
Francois Hugo Seal Alert-SA
www.sealalert.org
27-21-790 8774
Sirtrack Telemetry
Wildlife and agricultural telemetry tracking and monitoring solutions for African Wildlife
For many years Sirtrack New Zealand has provided telemetry solutions into Southern Africa, servicing both the wildlife and agricultural communities. Over the past year, Tim Neary and associates have accepted the distributorship of the Sirtrack product range as well as Icom communications equipment.
Should you have a need for advice on what product may be suited for your application, from a standard VHF tracking collar to a complex multi-component system involving data logging, GPS, and Argos please forward your enquiry to the following. We do have a product disc that we would be happy to forward to you
Email: info@sirtrack.co.za, Website: www.sirtrack.com
Due to the nature of our work we are often in the field, but will respond to your email soonest
Kind regards
Tim Neary & Associates
Sirtrack Southern Africa
Tel: +27 83 656 7923
P.O. Box 1467 Jukskei Park, Gauteng, South Africa 2153
Tailpiece-
Questions about South Africa were posted on a South African Tourism Website - answered by the website owner... apparently!
Q: Does it ever get windy in South Africa? I have never seen it rain on TV, so how do the plants grow? (UK)
A: We import all plants fully grown and then just sit around watching them die.
Q: Will I be able to see elephants in the street? (USA)
A: Depends how much you've been drinking or sniffing.
Q: I want to walk from Durban to Cape Town - can I follow the railroad tracks? (Sweden)
A: Sure, it's only two thousand kilometres. Take lots of water.
Q: Is it safe to run around in the bushes in South Africa? (Sweden)
A: So it's true what they say about Swedes.
Q: Are there any ATMs (cash machines) in South Africa? Can you send me a list of them in JHB, Cape Town, Knysna and Jeffrey's Bay? (UK)
A: What did your last slave die of?
Q: Can you give me some information about Koala Bear racing in South Africa? (USA)
A: Aus-tra-lia is that big island in the middle of the Pacific. A-fri-ca is the big triangle shaped continent south of Europe which does not...oh forget it. Sure, the Koala Bear racing is every Tuesday night in
Hillbrow. Come naked.
Q: Which direction is north in South Africa? (USA)
A: Face south and then turn 90 degrees. Contact us when you get there and we'll send the rest of the directions.
Q: Can I bring cutlery into South Africa? (UK)
A: Why? Just use your fingers like we do.
Q: Can you send me the Vienna Boys' Choir schedule? (USA)
A: Aus-tri-a is that quaint little country bordering Ger-man-y, which is.... oh forget it. Sure, the Vienna Boys Choir plays every Tuesday night in Hillbrow, straight after the Koala Bear races. Come naked.
Q: Do you have perfume in South Africa? (France)
A: No, WE don't stink.
Q: Can you tell me the regions in South Africa where the female population is smaller than the male population? (Italy)
A: Yes, gay nightclubs.
Q: Do you celebrate Christmas in South Africa? (France)
A: Only at Christmas.
Q: Are there supermarkets in Cape Town and is milk available all year round? (Germany)
A: No, we are a peaceful civilization of vegan hunter-gatherers. Milk is illegal.
Q: I was in South Africa in 1969 and I want to contact the girl I dated while I was staying in Hillbrow. Can you help? (USA)
A: Yes, and you will still have to pay her by the hour.
Q: Will I be able to speek English most places I go? (USA)
A: Yes, but you'll have to learn it first.
Matter of Fact
This is an electronic newsletter of the Game Rangers' Association of Africa. The opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the Association, nor of the Editor. This is intended to be an exchange of news snips, ideas and communication between members. Newsletter content may be copied and re-distributed without authorisation. Correspondence should be addressed to the Editor at dyunnie@xsinet.co.za