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A deserted, wild slipway up Gonubie River. Do we know what this is worth?  Picture: DELORIS KOAN

DELORIS KOAN | Keep on running, walking, stumbling, raging into this brilliant green spring

London-based actor Dougray Scott plays chief antagonist Quintus Wernich in 'Invisible', the small screen adaptation of Deon Meyer's best seller 'Blood Safari'. Pictures: SUPPLIED

Why Scottish star Dougray Scott fell in love with SA while filming 'Invisible'

BARBARA HOLLANDS Scottish actor Dougray Scott takes on a dark and dangerous role in Invisible, the action-packed television adaptation of Deon…

The usual time for Hippeastrum (amaryllis) to flower is in October and November. However, you can trick them into flowering around December 25 if you plant them on November 13. (ie six weeks till Christmas day, or today, October 30, which will be eight weeks before Christmas). Picture: SUPPLIED
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IN THE GARDEN | A bloom in time for Christmas

There has been no greater gift from Mother Nature lately, as when she surprised us with huge blossoms growing from bulbs in a forgotten pot left in…

Fashion designer Lukhanyo Kilivile.
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Late brother's beloved flower inspires national fashion title

A heartfelt tribute to family has earned Walter Sisulu University fashion student Lukhanyo Kilivile top national honours. Drawing creative…

The Buffalo City Film Festival will honour the late filmmaker Ben Nomoyi, pictured here, with the premiere of Derrick Makaula's documentary, 'Ben Nomoyi: Portrait of a Legend'.

Remembering Ben Nomoyi, the Eastern Cape storytelling pioneer whose legacy transformed SA cinema

Where do we come from? And where are we going? This is the Eastern Cape’s view of our galaxy, the Milky Way, lying low in the western sky. The photograph was taken by retired Rhodes maths education Prof Marc Schäfer from his home-built observatory in the Winterberg a few days ago. He said: 'The visible Milky Way is a blend of between 200 and 400-billion stars, although we can only discern a tiny fraction of about 2,500 in our sky with our naked eye. For me, the sight of the Milky Way reminds me of how unique and small we are and also stirs in me a profound sense of significance to be part of this universe. Just the fact that I can stand here and marvel at the sight of our galaxy, and ask difficult questions about the universe contributes to this significance.'

When light departs and returns to the heavens

A swimmer recounts the tragic loss of friend Janine Lochrenberg to a great white shark off Orient Beach, reflecting on grief, community, and…

Former Makhanda art teacher Sasha Scholtz in her Creative Space Art Studio in Clovelly, Cape Town. Pictures: BARBARA HOLLANDS

Former Makhanda art educator makes vibrant mark on Cape Town's coastal community

BARBARA HOLLANDS A former Makhanda art teacher has made her mark on Cape Town’s art scene, becoming a sought-after educator while helping to…

Harnessing abundant sunshine through outdoor solar lighting offers an eco-friendly and cost-effective way to brighten gardens, boost home security, and keep outdoor gatherings going after dark. Picture: Lighthaus
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IN THE GARDEN | Let the light shine into the night

Discover how outdoor solar lighting can illuminate your garden, boost home security, and keep outdoor gatherings going after dark without harming…

The bullseye contrast formed by the clustered stamens, stands out against its vibrantly coloured petals, creates a highly visible 'target' for its pollinators in this case, bees. Picture: SUPPLIED

IN THE GARDEN | The brilliant design and enduring charm of Oriental poppies

The garden is abuzz at present with happy sounds of bees about their business collecting pollen from the poppy flowers (Papaver Orientale) in shades…

Sisters Siphosethu and Khwaza Tshisela show off garments from their  recently launched Hanger Appeal women's clothing brand
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Reimagining the little black dress: How two sisters built Hanger Appeal

Mdantsane sisters Khwaza and Siphosethu Tshisela have launched Hanger Appeal, an elevated women's ready-to-wear brand debuting with a modern take on…

GREATEST SHOW IN TOWN: Pantomimes produced by Vincent Primary, since incorporated into Hudson Park, were legendary. SUPPLIED
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A secret sweet ritual of innocence at Vincent Primary in the '70s

Reflecting on the unregulated 1970s, a writer revisits the sweet, awkward rituals of youth at Vincent Primary and why learning gentleness remains…

Yondela Ngqokelela, who founded the EC Women Writers Association.  Picture: SUPPLIED

Heritage on the menu: EC women turn treasured traditional recipes and indigenous knowledge into a lasting record

From ‘insider’ to people saver

What turned Shiksha Gallow into a campaigner for cannabis to be used in formal medical treatments? “I was once an insider,” she says. At the start…

Dr Shiksha Gallow and husband Wayne of Gonubie celebrate her third and toughest doctorate.

EC’s medical cannabis prostate cancer research knocks on global doors

Pioneering South African researcher Dr Shiksha Gallow's study reveals that combining medicinal cannabis with chemotherapy led to a 63% rate of…

'Agency' author Ashley Brownlee with life partner Andre Hagan and their ridgeback Buggy on the stoep of their Klein Karoo guesthouse Wolverfontein Karoo Cottages. PICTURE: Coco Van Oppens

‘Agency’ a story of reinvention, healing and humour

Ashley Brownlee's memoir Agency explores his journey of identity, healing, and humour as an adopted child navigating illness, loss, and belonging in…

Bromeliads add a festive tropical feeling to the garden.
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Wild about bromeliads

Lyn Wegner developed a passion for gardening and bromeliads from her childhood, eventually turning it into a global pursuit and business with her…

EP Elephants lock Calvin Bosch is tackled by Border's Ahluma Mbinqo during a SA Rugby U21 Shield clash at Sisa Dukashe Stadium on Saturday Picture Alan Eason

Oliver toasts Baby Elephants character after comeback win over Border

Eastern Province U21 coach Shaun Oliver commended his players for showing grit in their 41-12 victory over their Border counterparts at Mdantsane’s…

Spekboom seedlings at the Kalkfontein nursery. The hope is that the first batch of plants will be ready to planted in the field early next year
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Spekboom: SA’s humble green wonder

Spekboom, a succulent indigenous to South Africa’s Eastern Cape, has moved from being a backyard snack to a celebrated eco-friendly plant known for…

De Grendel cellar master Charles Hopkins with Wine 2 Door club organisers Michelle Brown, left, and Olga Hafner, at the recent tasting at Kiplings at the Boardwalk Hotel

A VINE TIME | Industry legend delivers not only award-winning wines, but knowledge and mirth

FLAVOURS OF FESTIVAL: Bronwen Makovini, bar manager at the Gin Boutique at the Hello Sardine Festival in Chintsa East, says seven styles of South African gin 'are going very well! We have had foreign tourists, a lot of Capetonians and locals. Plenty of feet!' Picture: MIKE LOEWE
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To all those dreadful ‘tjoms’, we are still here, bud!

Making connection is hard. Breaking it, not so. There are scores of tired but happy women heading home as I write this on Sunday.