While it doesn’t make it onto Narcos, the illegal trade of plants in South Africa is prolific and organised, feeding lucrative international markets. From vulnerable succulents to tortoises, this hidden biodiversity crime quietly strips the country’s wild spaces, with ripple effects on ecosystems, communities and the economy.
Many times a week, CapeNature compliance officers and SAPS units chase down plant poachers – some driven by economic hardship, others by profit – supplying a market for ornamental conversation pieces in homes around the world. Whether buyers realise it or not, the trade has cascading ecological…
Rand: The currency of South Africa is the South African Rand (ZAR).
Blood Taker
Bitter koud — very cold. An Afrikaans phrase meaning ‘bitter cold’, often used to describe the cold weather during winter.Example: “Oh, my gosh! It’s bitter koud outside!”
burst nibbler
Jol – party / to have fun [jo-rl] Similar to ‘kiff’ or ‘kief’, jol can be used in any context to express having a good time.Example: “I’m going to a jol tonight!” / “I’m having a jol!” / “It was such a jol!”