Green Life Sanctuary

06/09/2025

Spring means renewal

06/09/2025

Pickle plant flowering in water wise garden

04/09/2024

This September, join SAOSO and PGS SA in our campaign! 🌿🌍

Choosing organic is more than a label – it's a commitment to health, sustainability and fairness. It protects soil, water and biodiversity while supporting local farmers and food security in South Africa.

When you buy organic swiss chard, rooibos or blueberries, or an organic cotton shirt, bodycare product or garden input - you’re aligning with a movement that nurtures the earth, supports local farmers, strengthens communities, and fosters a future where health and sustainability go hand in hand.

Make your everyday decisions powerful ones. Together we can make a difference – for the earth and generations to come. 🌱

Download our digital toolkit for use over September here: saoso.org/choose-organic

💚

21/08/2024

“Sustainable”, “organic”, “agroecological”, “nature-based”, “regenerative” are increasingly being discussed in the context of food systems.

What are the differences and synergies between these concepts and frameworks, and how can they contribute to transforming our ?

👉 Save the date and join the discussion at our upcoming webinar!

📅 3 September
🕑 2:00- 2.45 PM CEST
🔗 Register: https://buff.ly/4bwVeBS

Speakers:
-Fergus Sinclair, Director of , CIFOR-ICRAF & Transformative Partnership Platform on Agroecology
-Ercilia Sahores, Founding Member and Latin America Director, Regeneration International
-Choitresh (Bablu) Ganguly, Board Member, IFOAM - Organics International
-Natasja Oerlemans, Head of Food team, WWF Netherlands

Moderated by Esther Kagai, Director, Cshep Kenya

29/09/2023

Biodiversity means embracing all creatures. Remove a link and risk throwing the balance out.

Full grown, meter+ Rinkhals today on the farm.

25/09/2023

Our broad beans have done very well this year, despite a slow start.

01/09/2023

25/02/2023

https://greenlifesanctuary.co.za/product/event-ticket-4-march-2023-fermenting-pickling-and-herbs-workshop/

17/01/2023

Some residents of the native South African milkw**d (Gomphocarpus fruticosus). A toxic host to many bugs. While considered a problem plant to some, especially on livestock farms, its unique characteristics make it noteworthy. The sticky white latex film a damaged or cut stem can irritate skin. The beautiful buds and flowers develop into oddly shaped pods before bursting into silky seeds.
Besides some of the insects in these photos taken on the farm recently, the plant is also the main host of the African Monarch butterfly - an important pollinator. I don't see this w**d as a problem, especially as the cows leave it alone (substantial quantities of the plant need to be consumed before it is lethal) and because it is host to a number of beneficial insects. These metallic milkw**d leaf beetles are stunning!

17/01/2023

For the past couple of years, there have been resident Spotted Thick-knees around the farm. This year, the couple was very attentive. Soon, it was apparent why. The other day, I needed to sort out the borehole. The pair scattered, trying to lead me away, very much like the crowned lapwings/plovers do. Of course, this made me curious.

Pics 1 and 2. The thick-knees are not uncommon, beautiful birds, and I'm proud that these two have chosen this farm to make their home.
Pic 3. Try to spot the object of their attention...
Pic 4. The camouflage is beauty in itself. Cute juvenile thick-knee trying hard to blend in.