Kite Spiders: South Africa
Kite spiders are diurnal Araneidae or "orb-web" spiders which means that during the process of making a web, the spider will use its own body for measurements.
Gasteracantha falcicornis
Gasterocantha sanguinolenta
These spiders are small (8-10 millimetres long), with 4 species in South Africa. The Araneidae occupies a niche not utilized by other spiders: the aerial passage amongst vegetation in the path of flying insects.
The diurnal orb web spiders continually repair their webs, usually using them for a few of days. The web cannot be used indefinitely as it dries and loses its capture ability and insects will no longer stick to it.
The diurnal orb web spiders continually repair their webs, usually using them for a few of days. The web cannot be used indefinitely as it dries and loses its capture ability and insects will no longer stick to it.
South African Mountain Bike Racing
A "natural" incident...
OLPC XO-1
Lighter than a lunchbox with the size of a textbook! It´s designed to be distributed by governments and nongovernmental organizations to schools all over the world.
The XO is the first generation of an inexpensive computer conceived by One Laptop per Child, a nonprofit program begun at the MIT Media Lab.
Many of its characteristics serve at least two purposes: the Wi-Fi antennas double as covers for the USB ports, the handle serves also as an attachment point for a strap and the protective bumper also seals to protect from dust.
The “neighborhood view” showing children collaborating on various tasks. By clicking on it communication by Wi-Fi is activated.
The screen has both full-color and reflective high-resolution mode that makes it readable in bright sunlight, and a wide track pad doubles as a drawing and writing tablet.
If electricity is not available, the computer can be recharged by a pull cord that works like a yo-yo.
The XO is the first generation of an inexpensive computer conceived by One Laptop per Child, a nonprofit program begun at the MIT Media Lab.
Many of its characteristics serve at least two purposes: the Wi-Fi antennas double as covers for the USB ports, the handle serves also as an attachment point for a strap and the protective bumper also seals to protect from dust.
The “neighborhood view” showing children collaborating on various tasks. By clicking on it communication by Wi-Fi is activated.
The screen has both full-color and reflective high-resolution mode that makes it readable in bright sunlight, and a wide track pad doubles as a drawing and writing tablet.
If electricity is not available, the computer can be recharged by a pull cord that works like a yo-yo.
South African Games: Mankala
The game is based on counting and calculation, involving no external element of chance.
Many scholars think that the Mankala game can be the oldest in the world. Traces of game boards have been found during excavations in 15th-century Zimbabwe, Ancient Egypt and even Neolithic Kenya.
Ancient Gebeta (Mancala), Axum Ethiopia.
The Mankala contains 12 holes sideways and one larger one on each side, with 48 small stones/marbles/beans.
Many scholars think that the Mankala game can be the oldest in the world. Traces of game boards have been found during excavations in 15th-century Zimbabwe, Ancient Egypt and even Neolithic Kenya.
Ancient Gebeta (Mancala), Axum Ethiopia.
The Mankala contains 12 holes sideways and one larger one on each side, with 48 small stones/marbles/beans.
British Southern Africa Colonial Artist & Explorer: Thomas Baines
Lion and Dead Quagga, ZuluLand, 1874.
Matebele Warrior in Dancing Dress, 1870.
Rhinocerous by Thomas Baines, 1875.
The Battle of Blauwkrantz, 1838.
Gold and Ivory Elephants Charging over Quartose Country, 1873.
Barbara Jeppe: S. African Botanical Artist (1921-1999)
She was awarded two gold medals in 1990, one by the Botanical Society of South Africa, the Cythna Letty Gold Medal for contributions to botanical illustrations in South Africa and by the South African Nurserymen’s Association.
The Transvaal Horticultural Society awarded her with a silver medal in 1991.
iNkehli (Lucky Bean Tree) South Africa
Seeds of this tree are in great demand for ornaments and charms.
A root infusion provides a remedy for bilharzia and for certain eye complaints and bark is believed to bring huntsmen luck if they wash with it.
Powered bark mixed with one's own body oil is believed to ward off attacks and bad luck.
A root infusion provides a remedy for bilharzia and for certain eye complaints and bark is believed to bring huntsmen luck if they wash with it.
Powered bark mixed with one's own body oil is believed to ward off attacks and bad luck.
South Africa´s "Sengi": Karoo Rock Elephant Shrew
This species is confined to rocky or boulder habitats, against mountain slopes or on ridges.
South Africa´s Extinct BLaaubok
It disappeared after hunting for pelts and museum specimens.
The last one was killed in the 1800´s.
It was an upland grassland herd grazing herbivore endemic to the Swellingdam District.
Desiccated specimens exist in Paris, Leyden, Stockholm, Upsala, and Vienna.
The last one was killed in the 1800´s.
It was an upland grassland herd grazing herbivore endemic to the Swellingdam District.
Desiccated specimens exist in Paris, Leyden, Stockholm, Upsala, and Vienna.
S. Africa: Forest SwallowTail or Bush Kite ButterFly
The
South African Adventurer: Sibusiso Vilane
He has conquered the 7 highest continent´s summits: Denali/Mount McKinley, 2008 (Alaska, USA), Mount Ebrus (Russia), Aconcagua, 2006 (Argentina), Everest (SW route 2003, Nepal and NE route 2005, Tibet), Mount Kilimanjaro, 1999 (Tanzania), Vinson Massif, 2006 (Antarctica), Carstensz Pyramid, 2006 (New Guinea, Oceania).
He is the first black person to ascent Mount Everest and the first black South African to walk to the South Pole!
South African Nobel Prize: Desmond MpiLo TuTu
Listen to him and learn what was it like to live during the apartheid and how forgiveness helped south africans move on...
He has campaigned to fight AIDS, tuberculosis, poverty, racism, sexism, homophobia, and transphobia.
He was the 1st black archbishop of Cape Town and was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1984; the Albert Schweitzer Prize for Humanitarianism in 1986, the Pacem in Terris Award in 1987, the Sydney Peace Prize in 1999, the Gandhi Peace Prize in 2007 and the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2009.
Human Powered Energy: South Africa
The modern human powered clockwork radio was designed and patented in 1991 by British inventor Trevor Baylis as a response to the AIDS crisis. He envisioned it for poor people in developing countries without access to batteries.
He now runs Trevor Baylis Brands plc, a company dedicated to helping inventors to develop and protect their ideas and to find a route to market.
In 1994, British accountant Chris Staines and his South African partner Rory Stear, secured the worldwide license to the invention and cofounded Baygen Power Industries (Freeplay Energy PLC) which produced the first commercial model.
Martin Potter: Innovator Surfer
He became a pro in 1981 and in 1989 after 6 tour victories from 25 events he became "World Surfing Champion".
'Pottz' redefined competitive surfing with aerials and 360's only performed in free surfing.
He invented maneuvers like the “rock-n-roll", as done on a skateboard and promoted a new form of judging competitive surfing based on "risky surfing" (higher scoring being given to bigger and more critical maneuvering) presently standard on the World Championship Tour (WCT)
By the age of 15, he was surfing 20+ foot waves at Hawaii´s North Shore “Banzai Pipeline” surf break. At the time, he used a jet-ski as an alternative to paddling, becoming one of 'tow-in' surfing pioneers.
South Africa´s Endangered Species: Wild Dogs
They are also known as African wild dog, African hunting dog, Cape hunting dog, painted dog, painted wolf, painted hunting dog, spotted dog, or ornate wolf
South Africa´s Jewel Beetles
Buprestids love heat (thermophilous) and can tolerate very high temperatures so they´re active and alert in hot, sunny days.
The adults feed on pollen, foliage and nectar.
Julodis cirossa 27 mm
Julodis viridipes
The females lay their eggs in the bark and the larvae tunnel into wood and plant stems.
The adults don´t live very long but the immatures can take as long as 35 years to complete their development!
The adults feed on pollen, foliage and nectar.
Julodis cirossa 27 mm
Julodis viridipes
The females lay their eggs in the bark and the larvae tunnel into wood and plant stems.
The adults don´t live very long but the immatures can take as long as 35 years to complete their development!
Phlocteis exasperata Metal jewel beetle, 12mm.
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