Some suburban farming principles May 7, 2009
Posted by Andreas in Cape Town, Gardening, Life, Organic Food, South Africa, Sustainable Living, Urban Agriculture.1 comment so far
Nothing complicated here, just a couple of principles I’d like to follow as I start getting into this urban agriculture thing in our garden. It’s all a bit daunting at the moment as we head into winter and the whole garden goes into hibernation. Here goes:
DIY – I’d like to do as much of my gardening myself and don’t want “experts” to do the job for me. I’m very open to advice, suggestions and help, of course 
Organic – no synthetic fertilisers or chemicals in this garden! I’m hoping to broadly follow the principles of permaculture in my approach.
Sustainable – In our climate that means being particularly mindful of water requirements, but also of other inputs such as compost. I also want our garden to be fairly low-maintenance… I’ve got a job, you know.
Cheap – I’d like to use as many cheap and free resources as possible and am hoping that Freecycle and the Cape Town Talent Exchange (a local alternative currency system) will help achieve that goal.
Beautiful and functional – I’d like our garden to be a place that the whole family enjoys spending time in, while at the same time offering habitats for wildlife (I’m talking mostly birds, reptiles and insects here, not antelope and such…) and providing us with a steady supply of healthy, organic and fresh fruit and vegetables.
That’s about it for the moment. Will add more if I can think of any…
I wanna be a suburban farmer! April 30, 2009
Posted by Andreas in Cape Town, Gardening, Life, South Africa, Sustainable Living, Urban Agriculture.2 comments
After my visit to Harvest of Hope I was really inspired to start getting our own garden into some sort of shape. I have long been fascinated by the idea of urban agriculture and the promise of a degree of food self-sufficiency and although I have spent some time in the past trying to apply what I’ve learned about these things in books and online in our home, our garden has fallen into a state of what I’d suggest is benevolent neglect.
My somewhat neglected attempt at a miniature food forest
That’s all going to change. One of the motivations for quitting my regular job a year ago was to start growing more of our own food and although my parenting and job commitments will keep me busy, I’m planning to do just that. Slowly, one baby-step at a time. I’ll keep you up to date with my progress.
Expanses of water-thirsty, unproductive lawn...
Just for the record, here are some more pics of our garden from January 2009. Hopefully I’ll be able to report on gradual improvements as time goes by.
End Xenophobia! April 28, 2009
Posted by Andreas in Politics, Society, South Africa, Southern Africa, activism.add a comment
Wow! Some really powerful anti-xenophobia posters by Zimbabwean designer Sindiso Nyoni. They’re based on the articles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights:
More here.
Last night’s Nope! party April 22, 2009
Posted by Andreas in Cape Town, Politics, Society, South Africa, activism, anarchism.4 comments
A couple of pics from last night’s Nope! party at the Melting Pot in Muizenberg. A great success methinks and definitely something to build on!
The Conscious Marimba Band were brilliant!
Vrygrond and Kyalitsha Nopesters put their thoughts and desires on the big board
Who says a political party can't be fun?
Forgotten Superhero subversive folk. Love it!
The "finished" board
NOPE! on video April 17, 2009
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NOPE! Party April 15, 2009
Posted by Andreas in Cape Town, Politics, Society, South Africa, activism, anarchism.add a comment
Join the only party worth not voting for at
The Melting Pot
Church Street, Muizenberg Village*
21 April 2009
8pm
Live music, DJ, Cash Bar
R20 donation towards the musician from those who can afford it
(*Take the M5 to Muizenberg, at the circle turn right into New Baden Powell Drive, this will become Atlantic and you will pass the Muizenberg Waterfront on your left. Turn right into Killarney Road (the road just before the railway bridge). Church is the next road crossing Killarney and you should be able to see the Melting Pot in front of you.)
Call Peter (083 256 0457) Andreas (084 772 1056) for more info
Election comic April 14, 2009
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A better lie for all April 1, 2009
Posted by Andreas in Politics, South Africa, activism, anarchism.2 comments
Vote COPE March 30, 2009
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The People Shall… March 27, 2009
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