by Giulia Gasperoni

​Yesterday, 18th April 2021, just before 9am a vagrant fire started at the foot of Table Mountain.

The fire spread around the Rhodes memorial restaurant, destroying several buildings and landmarks, including the Mostert Mill and part of the UCT Library. Many students were evacuated as upper campus buildings were also damaged by the fire.

Throughout the day and the following night the Fire and Rescue department has worked tirelessly, with the help of four helicopters that waterbombed the area.

Earlier this morning residents of Vredehoek were also evacuated, due to the fire spreading in that direction. The strong wind today is not helping.

The Cape of Good Hope SPCA is also on site, helping with injured wildlife.

If you can, please assist with donations via www.backabuddy.co.za/champion/project/uct-support

Text by Giulia Gasperoni

We want to celebrate the beauty and power of wildlife with some of our favourite pictures.


The theme for 2021 is "Forests and Livelihoods: Sustaining People and the Planet". A forest is not just the exotic setting for an adventure novel or the enticing picture to use as a screensaver, it is a living and breathing entity that provides shelter, sustenance, comfort, nourishment to many communities around the globe.


Forest or river, mountain or valley, lake or desert - every habitat and ecosystem on Earth has value and purpose. By damaging even one little bit (and we have been doing much worse than that), the whole world suffers.


Join us in celebrating beautiful, wild Mother Nature and take a moment to reflect about how you can contribute to a healthier and happier planet with your daily choices.