The Cape floral kingdom at the tip of South Africa contains the highest known concentration of plant species in the world. Table Mountain itself, in the center of Cape Town, has over 2200 plant species, more that the entire United Kingdom. The region was given international recognition as South Africa's sixth UN World Heritage site in June last year.
The protea is one of the dominant species in this kingdom, and nearly 400 of the world’s 1200 protea species are found here. According to the South African Protea Producers and Exporters (SAPPEX), the protea is a 40 million USD a year industry, with approximately 2000 hectares of land dedicated to protea farming.
OON...
Monday, December 29, 2008
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Birding in Limpopo, South Africa
Limpopo Province in the north of South Africa is an ideal destination for bird watching at all levels. Of the 950 species of birds in South Africa, the Greater Limpopo Area boasts over 600, of which 420 are resident. BirdLife South Africa is working with local residents of the area towards conservation of the diverse habitats through the development of bird routes and professional bird guides. This work aims to promote Limpopo as the Bird Paradise it is, and through conservation, support the local economy. With voiceover. Provided to AP Horizons.
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Cholera on the South Africa-Zimbabwe Border
Cholera is spreading in Zimbabwe due to a breakdown in infrastructure - no water, to medical care. The U.N. humanitarian affairs office said 12,546 people (with over 600 deaths) were thought to be infected with the disease, which under normal circumstances is preventable and treatable. The capital Harare is the worst affected.
On the border of South Africa and Zimbabwe, cholera has hit over 400 people, mostly refugees fleeing hunger in Zimbabwe, hoping to find a little something - food, money - in South Africa to bring back home to their families.
(video) http://www.reuters.com/news/video?videoId=94893&videoChannel=1
Footage: Eva Gilliam
On the border of South Africa and Zimbabwe, cholera has hit over 400 people, mostly refugees fleeing hunger in Zimbabwe, hoping to find a little something - food, money - in South Africa to bring back home to their families.
(video) http://www.reuters.com/news/
Footage: Eva Gilliam
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Mozambicans return home after Xenophobic attacks in South Africa - 2008
May 2008 saw violent xenophobic attacks in South Africa that had over 20,000 Mozambicans return home.
Mozambicans return home after xenophobic attacks in SA
(Radio) http://www.theworld.org/?q=node/18411
Mozambicans return home after xenophobic attacks in SA
(Radio) http://www.theworld.org/?q=
Cuba: African angles to Cuban stories
I went to Cuba twice in 2008 to look at the Afro-Cuban connection. Here are two stories:
Many Africans go to Cuba to study medicine. Given Cuba's excellent reputation in Public Health and the socialist altruism to assist developing nations, it is no surprise to find the Cuban government sponsoring thousands of African medical students (natural sound).
Produced for Reuters Africa, 02/2008.
The Yoruba religion has its origins in West Africa. Arriving with the slaves to Cuba during the slave trade, the religion has take a strong hold in Cuba, mixing with colonial Catholicism. Known as Santeria, nearly 80% of Cubans practice the religion (natural sound).
Produced for Reuters Africa, September 2008.
Many Africans go to Cuba to study medicine. Given Cuba's excellent reputation in Public Health and the socialist altruism to assist developing nations, it is no surprise to find the Cuban government sponsoring thousands of African medical students (natural sound).
Produced for Reuters Africa, 02/2008.
The Yoruba religion has its origins in West Africa. Arriving with the slaves to Cuba during the slave trade, the religion has take a strong hold in Cuba, mixing with colonial Catholicism. Known as Santeria, nearly 80% of Cubans practice the religion (natural sound).
Produced for Reuters Africa, September 2008.
DRC - 2007/2008
I went to DRC several times since the 2006 elections. Here are a few of my favourites. Some of these pieces have natural sound, while others I have edited with voiceover.
Demobilized militia in Bunia are now successful fishermen thanks to a project of UNDP (with voiceover).
Artisanal gold miners in the village of Tindika can't dig much deeper. Industrial miners Kilo Gold are prospecting the area and say there is plenty of gold to justify moving in (with voiceover).
The Okapi is endemic to DRC, and the special animal serves as a Flagship for conservation of the World's second largest rainforest after the Amazon (with voiceover).
Known throughout Africa and the world for its ndombolo and soukous music, the DRC music scene showed different colours by hosting its first International Jazz Festival. Musicians from South Africa, the United States and Belgium traveled to Kinshasa to play with talented locals (natural sound only).
Demobilized militia in Bunia are now successful fishermen thanks to a project of UNDP (with voiceover).
Artisanal gold miners in the village of Tindika can't dig much deeper. Industrial miners Kilo Gold are prospecting the area and say there is plenty of gold to justify moving in (with voiceover).
The Okapi is endemic to DRC, and the special animal serves as a Flagship for conservation of the World's second largest rainforest after the Amazon (with voiceover).
Known throughout Africa and the world for its ndombolo and soukous music, the DRC music scene showed different colours by hosting its first International Jazz Festival. Musicians from South Africa, the United States and Belgium traveled to Kinshasa to play with talented locals (natural sound only).
Nigerian Elections - April 2007
In April 2007 I went to Nigeria for the elections with a small HDV cam and my 12-inch laptop, and was able to capture several stories related to the elections for Reuters.
(Video 1) Stakeholders Democracy Network, an NGO based in Port Harcourt, set up a blog (including video) for Nigerian voters to speak out about voter fraud and discuss concerns leading up to election day.
(Video 2) Young Rappers in Port Harcourt talk about politics, and their hopes for the Nigerian elections.
Again - this is video with only natural sound, no voiceover.
(Video 1) Stakeholders Democracy Network, an NGO based in Port Harcourt, set up a blog (including video) for Nigerian voters to speak out about voter fraud and discuss concerns leading up to election day.
(Video 2) Young Rappers in Port Harcourt talk about politics, and their hopes for the Nigerian elections.
Again - this is video with only natural sound, no voiceover.
Monday, November 17, 2008
Democratic Republic of Congo - Elections - 2006
My Coverage in DRC as a reporter began in July 2006 when camerawoman Jo Higgs and I went up to Bukavu and Goma to cover the 1st round of elections. We returned in October 2006 for the second round, traveling to Lubumbashi and Kalemie. Nearly 30 stories were filed in the 2 months we spent in DRC (TV and Print) on politics, humanitarian and environmental topics.
Please note that there are no voice overs for these pieces as the news agency preferred a script without voice.
Please note that there are no voice overs for these pieces as the news agency preferred a script without voice.
Welcome to my Show Reel.
This blogspot is meant to serve as a gallery to my work, particularly my work as a Videojournalist in Africa and Cuba, as well as give interested parties an idea of my writing and radio work.
It will be updated regularly, so please come check out the latest.
It will be updated regularly, so please come check out the latest.
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