Latest news with #ZululandObserver
The Citizen
16 hours ago
- Science
- The Citizen
Catch and release helps conserve fish, 20-year study finds
Marine life is rapidly declining, and urgent action is needed to protect it – one such action being the establishment of marine protected areas (MPAs). According to the Zululand Observer, in the build-up to MPA Day on August 1, South African scientist Dr Bruce Mann highlights the value of these 'nature reserves of the sea'. 'MPAs provide many benefits for both ocean health and human activities,' said Mann, a research associate at the Oceanographic Research Institute in Durban. 'One benefit is that they enable fish stocks to increase in abundance and biomass and, over time, these spill over into adjacent fished areas, improving catches and ensuring fisheries' sustainability.' One thing that stands out to Mann is that these conservation areas give a clear view of what nature looks like without human impact. 'This forms a useful 'control', which provides a solid foundation for our research into the natural world and the conservation techniques needed. By looking after these special places, we can make a real difference.' He shared three examples of MPAs: A Scotsman tagged in the Pondoland Marine Protected Area (Eastern Cape); a giant kingfish tracked from southern Mozambique to the Eastern Cape; and catch and release angling at iSimangaliso Wetland Park in KZN. A 20-year study in the iSimangaliso MPA tested whether catch and release can help conserve shore angling species. The study tagged fish caught by volunteer anglers in zoned areas within the MPA. The findings showed that when best-practice handling was used, catch and release angling had minimal impact on most species, though more sensitive species still showed higher post-release mortality, especially under increased angling pressure. The study concluded that while catch and release is not suitable in strict no-take zones, it offers real conservation value as a buffer around MPAs or in specially zoned areas. Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel. Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal. Read original story on At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
11-06-2025
- Lifestyle
- The Citizen
WATCH: 7 tips from a 77-year-old to thrive in the golden years
WATCH: 7 tips from a 77-year-old to thrive in the golden years He is the Zululand Observer's king of puns and witty wordplay, a newshound known for his supreme gusto in chasing the next big scoop. Dave Savides, the ZO's esteemed consultant editor, celebrated his 77th birthday on Wednesday. Married to wife Liz for 53 years, and father to Paul, Simon and Suzanne, Dave is also a proud grandfather of four and a great-grandfather to one girl. Reflecting on his 77 years, Dave shares seven tips for reaching – and thriving at – a golden age: 1. Look after your body when you're young – you will reap the benefits when you're older. 2. Get plenty of fresh air and sunshine. 3. Surround yourself with good, positive people. 4. Count your blessings every day. 5. Make the most of each day. 6. Use every opportunity to be a blessing to others. 7. Carry your load and let God take the overload. Don't have the ZO app? Download it to your Android or Apple device here: HAVE YOUR SAY Like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter. For news straight to your phone invite us: WhatsApp – 060 784 2695 Instagram – zululand_observer At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
09-06-2025
- The Citizen
SA's shift to smart ID cards gains urgency amid high fraud risk
As South Africa adopts digital IDs to combat identity fraud, enhance security and reduce fraudulent activities, research has revealed that efforts to replace outdated green ID books with secure smart ID cards are gaining momentum. Zululand Observer reports that, according to the Smile ID 2025 Fraud in Africa Report, the green ID books — historically vulnerable due to weak security features — recorded Africa's highest fraud rate in 2023, at 34%. The report further states that in March 2024, fraud rates for green ID books were 500% higher than for smart ID cards, validating the shift to the more secure system. Moreover, fraud targets Africa's most common identity documents: driver's licences followed at 24%, driven by their frequent use across formal and informal contexts, increasing their exposure to misuse. However, passports — often perceived as more secure owing to stricter issuance protocols — showed a fraud rate of 20%. The 'others' category, including work permits and alien cards, accounted for 19%, while voter IDs had the lowest fraud rate, at 14%. These findings highlight the diverse vulnerabilities across ID types, with national IDs remaining the most at risk due to their ubiquity. While passports and other specialised documents like work permits have lower fraud rates, their misuse often involves high-stakes activities such as international travel or employment fraud, with significant financial and reputational risks. Monthly Fraud Trends by Region (Biometric and Document Fraud): Biometric and document fraud peaked in January for east and southern Africa, while December saw west and central Africa reach their highest fraud rates. Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel. Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal. Read original story on At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
04-06-2025
- General
- The Citizen
Education department refutes 2025 school calendar changes amid fake news claims
The national Department of Education has refuted claims that changes have been made to the 2025 academic calendar. Zululand Observer reports that this follows a report which claims the school terms have been changed to be 'more evenly distributed, potentially reducing the pressure associated with longer school sessions'. The false report further states the changes are 'part of a broader effort to align the school calendar with modern educational needs and family lifestyles'. The education department has, however, denied any alterations, urging the public to ignore the fake news. 'The department has not made any announcement regarding the school calendar for 2025 whatsoever. Beware of scams.' School Calendar 2025 Fake News Alert! — KZN Education (@DBE_KZN) June 4, 2025 Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel. Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal. Read original story on At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
03-06-2025
- General
- The Citizen
Zululand teen activists called to drive change through ‘Youth Pay It Forward' campaign
Zululand teen activists called to drive change through 'Youth Pay It Forward' campaign Teenage activists rise; it is your time to shine. This Youth Month, the Zululand Observer is shining a well-deserved spotlight on the youth who are dedicated to making a positive impact in their communities through the 'Youth Pay It Forward' campaign. ALSO READ: To the youth: We want to hear your voice! All young changemakers leading community projects such as tutoring groups, clean-ups, coding clubs or food drives – tap in! The feature aims to showcase how activism did not stop in 1976, but continues to this day. Across Zululand, young changemakers are stepping up to tackle the issues in their neighbourhoods. These teens are not waiting for 'someday'— they're solving problems now, one community at a time. Know a young changemaker we should feature? Send us their story at zulobs@ or WhatsApp to 060 7842695. Don't have the ZO app? Download it to your Android or Apple device here: HAVE YOUR SAY Like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter. For news straight to your phone invite us: WhatsApp – 060 784 2695 Instagram – zululand_observer At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
