I produced this piece about Cape Town's car culture for CNN's Inside Africa - it was a Covid-19 update on an original programme I did, the emphasis was on good visuals and human interest out of Africa

South African startup creates edible bowls to combat plastic waste

Munch Bowls, a South African startup, has developed a biodegradable and edible bowl made from wheat to address the issue of plastic pollution. These vegan bowls can hold hot soup for up to five hours and have a shelf life of 15 months. They are targeted for use at events and have been sold to the hospitality industry in various countries. The company, founded by Georgina de Kock in 2014, aims to reduce waste from disposable containers and the resources needed to clean reusable ones. The bowls are more expensive than plastic but offer nutritional value. Munch Bowls is the first company based in South Africa to produce edible dishware, while Biotrem, a Polish company, also makes wheat bran tableware. Munch Bowls plans to expand its product line and increase production capacity.

The Paralympic shark attack survivor who is saving sharks

Achmat Hassiem, a South African swimmer and former semi-professional goalkeeper, lost part of his leg in a shark attack but overcame this adversity to become a world-class swimmer. He quickly returned to the water after the incident, training at the Sports Science Institute of South Africa, and went on to win a bronze medal in the 100 meter butterfly at the London 2012 Paralympics, earning the nickname 'Shark boy'. Hassiem is also a shark conservationist, working with the 'Save Our Seas' initiative to protect sharks. He is currently preparing for the upcoming Paralympics in Rio and continues to express his deep love for his country, as evidenced by his emotional reaction to receiving the South African team's gear.