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Toco Turns Local Economic Activity into Environmental Wealth

Toco's Paul Rowett

Stellenbosch resident and businessman, Paul Rowett, along with his co-founders Joe Pretorius and Niel Schoeman, have found a solution for communities such as Stellenbosch to  work together to reduce their carbon footprint by creating a currency called Toco. The initiative removes carbon from the atmosphere and supports global efforts to halve carbon emissions by 2030.

Toco is short for Tonne of OCO, the molecular formula for carbon dioxide. The platform enables easy climate action by turning everyday purchases into carbon reductions.

Each Toco represents one tonne of carbon dioxide removed from the atmosphere, and which has been independently verified as carbon emission reductions. It can be used to pay for services and products, or to count achieved carbon reductions.

Boschendal to host dialogues about regenerative farming in restoring natural ecosystems

Boschendal to host vital dialogues about role of regenerative farming in restoring natural ecosystems

Boschendal is hosting a critical discussion on April 26th to raise awareness and funds to support Africa’s leading role in the regeneration of nature.

Presented in partnership with Project Biome and titled ‘Regenerating Soil, Water & Human Dignity’, the event will see leading experts including Zach Bush, Jay Naidoo and Rutendo Ngara as keynote speakers on the day.

Theo Cromhout, CEO at Boschendal, says the event comes at a critical time for the Earth’s biosphere. “As a leader in conservation, sustainability and regenerative farming practices, Boschendal is proud to host our esteemed speakers and look forward to a day filled with inspiring and important discussions about the future of our planet, and our collective role in achieving a more sustainable path.”

Recent data indicates that more than three-quarters of the world’s land area is already degraded, and over 90% could be degraded by 2050. Water scarcity is also becoming a major concern: two-thirds of the world’s population could live under water-stressed conditions in the next two years.

Project Biome is an initiative aimed at catalysing ecological healing within the planet’s biospheres, with the objective of uniting, inspiring and empowering the shift to regenerative food systems as a means of restoring nature.

Speakers on the day include:

  • Zach Bush, a renowned, multi-disciplinary physician of internal medicine, endocrinology, hospice care and internationally recognized educator on the microbiome as it relates to human health, soil health, food systems, and a regenerative future. He is also the chairman at Project Biome;
  • Jay Naidoo, a social activist and former cabinet minister with a passion for youth causes that place ecology and indigenous wisdom at the centre; and
  • Rutendo Ngara, an Indigenous Knowledge Systems practitioner and transdisciplinary researcher.

Proceeds from the event will go toward supporting Project Biome’s work, which includes a three-pronged approach to healing the carbon and water cycles of our planet.

Launching on Earth Day on April 22nd, Project Biome will prioritise three key activities, namely:

  • Rewilding river systems to reverse the ecological collapse associated with the loss of natural habitats along rivers;
  • Regenerative food systems and agriculture, which aims to speed up adoption of regenerative farming practices on a large scale; and
  • Distributed regenerative technology and economics for restoration of rural and indigenous livelihoods and cultures, which empowers rural communities with tools and resources to unlock move to more sustainable and humanitarian forms of job creation, economic stability, and educational opportunity.

Event Details

Date: Wednesday 26 April 2023

Time: 9am – 1pm

Venue: Boschendal

Price: R1800 (early bird ticket), R2500 (normal price)

RSVP: Please click HERE.

 

DGB awarded ‘Best South African Producer’ at ProWein for Second Year Running

Tim Hutchinson, executive chairman of DGB (left) receiving the Mundus Vini Best Producer award from Robert Joseph, board-member of Mundus Vini.

For the second consecutive year and third time overall, DGB – South Africa’s largest independent wine and spirit company – has received the acclaimed title of Best South African Producer from the Grand International Wine Award MUNDUS VINI. In addition DGB received the Best SA Red Wine title and 20 Gold Medals.

Checkers is Giving Away a Car a Week until Christmas

Lucky shoppers can win a Toyota Corolla Cross XR Hybrid every week until Christmas.

It’s going to be an Xtra special festive season for Checkers Xtra Savings members as the retailer is giving away a Toyota Corolla Cross XR Hybrid vehicle every week until Christmas.

The Toyota Corolla Cross XR Hybrid was voted South Arica’s 2022 Car of the Year. It was also the category winner in the New Energy category, and its reduced environmental impact aligns with Checkers’ sustainability journey to lower its carbon emissions.

To enter the Win a Car competition, shoppers must purchase any three participating products and swipe their Xtra Savings rewards cards at any Checkers, Checkers Hyper and Checkers Foods nationwide between 7 November and 25 December.

Sixty60 users who have linked their Xtra Savings cards to their profiles in the app, and purchase three participating products, will also stand a chance to win a Toyota Corolla Cross XR Hybrid.

Joining the Checkers’ rewards programme is free, easy, and paperless. Shoppers can sign up for Xtra Savings in store or via any of the following channels:

WhatsApp (add +27 87 240 5709 as a contact and say “Hi!”)

USSD (simply dial *134*569*CARDNUMBER#)

Online (visit checkers.co.za)

Terms and Conditions apply.

Cangro Business Challenge About To Launch

The Cangro Franschhoek Business Challenge is about to start. Planting starts on 7 October.

The Cangro Franschhoek Business Challenge is about to commence. The participants are lined up – see the list below – and are furiously devising ways to grow the biggest upside down tomato plant. It’s all for a good cause and with the intention of having a good deal of fun too!

On 7 October, 10 volunteer students from Franschhoek High School will be helping to pack all the elements for the challenge at the F1 packing shed.  On the 11th the competition officially begins and deliveries start. Thanks to Tuk-Tuk Franschhoek who’ve volunteered to help deliver packages. Cangro is hoping to have a planting station in town where participants can collect their packages and plant with the Cangro team and other participants. Watch social media for more info on this.

Keep working on those plans, good luck and may the best plant win!

Franschhoek Business Challenge Entrants:

1aa Wilhelmina Luxury Apartments | Abe Opperman Gallery | AMB Supermarket(Pnp) | Anthonij Rupert Wyne | Boschendal Farm School | BP Garage Franschhoek | Du Toit Classique Jewellery | Cape Dutch @ Keerwerder | Cartel Coffee | Chanteclair | Checkers Foods | Chef Ryan Team | Christies Original Designs | Coco Africa | ColCacchio Franschhoek | Country Kids | Debbie Deakins | Delta Colours | Desray | Deux Lions La Bourgogne Farm | Dr Nicholas Els | Eikehof | Elephant and Barrel | Essence | Explorers Club | Expressions Painting Contractors | Flambé Gallery | Franschhoek Country Club | Franschhoek Electrical | Franschhoek High School | Franschhoek Motors | Franschhoek Pharmacy | Franschhoek Physiotherapy Associates | Franschhoek Plumbing | Franschhoek Wine Tram | Fransvliet Estate | Friendly Reception | Gallop Hill | Get Lost Coffee | GlenWood Vineyards | Hamu Hospitality and Tourism Group | Hornbill Group | Hugo broers | Huguenot Fine Chocolates | Kaap Agri | La Bri Wines | La Chataigne | La Cotte Farm | La Fontaine Guest House | La Providence Farm | La Residence | La Roche | Lamara | Laurelin | Le Bon Vivant | Le Cotte gardeners | Le Petit Manoir | Le Petit Paris | Le Poirier | Levant Logistics | Lynx Wines | Magnas Tours | Maison Cabrière | Maison Chablis | Marcelle Richardson | Masquerade | Masterbuilder | Mont Rochelle Hotel & Vineyards | Myles Agar | NG Kerk | Pam Golding | Paserene Wines | Pepler Alarms | Petit & Grande Plaisir | Plaisir Wine Estate | Plumwood Inn | Ria Pools | Rickety Bridge Winery | Salon la Belle | Salon la Nailz | Seeff Properties | Shofar Christian Church | Smitten | Still Man Distillery | Sue’s Gardens | Th2owel | The Cottage | The Digby Trust | The Franschhoek Beer Company | The Franschhoek Lions Club | Tracey’s Diamonds | True State Management (Pty) Ltd | Tuk Tuk Franschhoek | Tykana Properties | Upscale Project Management | VillaZA | Well Seasoned Hen | Zhero

Vinyl & Wine

The ‘Rebels of the Vine’ FLTR: Jacques Wentzel, Raymond Ndlovu and Kevin Swart.

They don’t call themselves the Rebels of the Vine for no reason. Black Elephant Vintners do things differently, including tastings without the ceremony and pomp usually associated with the industry.

Traditional wine and cheese/food pairings are not what you will find at Black Elephant Vintners. Instead, you are invited to enjoy a carefully curated wine and music pairing on their beautiful farm. This novel approach to enhance the experience of wine tasting by utilising the senses of taste, touch, smell, sight and hearing is what distinguishes Black Elephant Vintners from the others.

Co-owner Kevin Swart says, “We believe in enjoying wine and make wine for real people.” The bottom line? If you’re a real person you may wish to book for one of their Saturday morning Vinyl & Wine tastings.

Where: 40A Uitkyk Street, Franschhoek | When: Saturdays at 11h00 | Price: R150 – R200 | Bookings are essential.

rebels@bevintners.co.za | 021 876 2903

Green Products for Healthy Youngsters

Sander Lebon CEO of IQ Green Solutions with Zukiswa Belo from Mzamo Educare Centre and businessman Ralph Schoenberg

The most basic argument for choosing organic cleaning products is that they reduce the presence of harsh chemicals in both our own bodies and the natural world. This is particularly important for children whose growing bodies are more prone to absorbing toxins and who stand to inherit a planet suffering the effects of excessive chemical use.

Eco-friendly hygiene can therefore be an investment in our youth which is why IQ Green Solutions partnered with Hope Through Action and Krooked Kings MC in July to donate organic cleaning products for twenty crèches in and around Franschhoek. Each crèche received five litres of IQ Green Disinfectant Solution as well as a monthly bottle of IQ Wound Care Solution.

Franschhoek makes Time’s ‘World’s Greatest Places’ list for 2022

Autumn in the Franschhoek Valley

Franschhoek has made Time Magazine’s prestigious list of ‘World’s Greatest Places’ for 2022.

This collection includes 50 destinations from around the world that Time’s correspondents and contributors nominated for exploring because of the destination’s offer of “new and exciting experiences.”

Wordsworth Bookstore Opens in Franschhoek

After much whispering and growing excitement, Wordsworth Books is officially opening in the next few days. Much hard work has been poured into making this branch perfect for the local and international clientele in Franschhoek.

Tucked away in the corner of Bijoux Square, 61 Huguenot Street, you may first be drawn to the allure of Truth Coffee. Venturing a bit further into the square, you will find this quaint bookstore emanating warm light from within, inviting in avid readers of all kinds, and also your casual strollers-by. If you love the company of books and crave some new ideas or a refreshing new read, visit this store. It is certainly (Words)worth it!

Anthonij Rupert Wyne Appoints New MD

Anthonij Rupert Wyne’s new MD Carel Chapman
Anthonij Rupert Wyne’s new MD Carel Chapman

Anthonij Rupert Wyne says goodbye to Managing Director, Gary Baumgarten, who hangs up his hat after 11 years and who has played a pivotal role in the running of the farms. He will be replaced by newly appointed Carel Chapman, himself no stranger to the company.

Hailing from a farm in Gobabis, Namibia, Carel completed his BCom Hons in Financial Economics from the University of Stellenbosch in 2005. He has been a consultant to Anthonij Rupert Wyne since 2020, which stands to his advantage as he knows the company well. He has extensive experience in the wine, farming, and hospitality industries.  He previously served in various management and directors positions, including at Rust and Vrede, Guardian Peak and Ernie Els Wines.  He was also a founding shareholder of Namibia Wine Merchants.

Carel takes over the executive duties as of July 2022. He says; “My new position presents a wonderful opportunity at one of South Africa’s foremost wine and agricultural businesses.  I look forward to contributing to the success of Anthonij Rupert Wyne and to building on the culture of excellence.”

Anthonij Rupert Wyne is grateful to Gary for his dedication and passion which is summed up in his statement: ‘As I enter retirement I reflect on what I have learnt during my time at Anthonij Rupert Wyne, and I’m proud of the team I call family, and wish Carel all of the best for this next chapter in his journey,’ says Gary.

Text: Editorial Desk | Image: Supplied

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