Whether you live here or just happen to be passing through, the many facets of the West Coast leave an imprint upon each of us, giving us a 'sense of place' - the sum of all that we take in from our surroundings. Through a series of illustrated essays that touch upon various aspects of its natural history, this book provides a guide for those intrigued by the wonders of the West Coast. From the beaches of the Cape Peninsula to southern Namibia, and inland as far as the Cederberg Mountains, the West Coast is a region of diverse landforms, plant and animal life, climate and history. On a stroll along the beach one can encounter folded bedrock 560 million years old, dune sand 5000 years old, shell middens 1500 years old, and seaweed stranded on the last high tide. This book explores how the many habitats and life forms have evolved through time, including the increasingly large impact that we are having on the West Coast.

Featuring over 240 of the region's most interesting and commonly encountered succulents., "Guide to Succulents of Southern Africa" is an accessible, user-friendly guide to the identification of these increasingly popular plants.

• Colour photographs vividly portray all the species covered.
• Authoritative text describes key identification features.
• Distribution maps show the occurrence of each species in southern Africa.

This guide will have wide appeal both to naturalists and to the gardening public who are, increasingly, turning to indigenous, low-maintenance and waterwise plants.

Mynbouaktiwiteit is geneig om die grond te degradeer, en selfs verlate oulande en oorbeweide veld kan meer as 'n halwe eeu neem om te herstel. Hierdie boek integreer bykans drie dekades se navorsing en toetsing van benaderings tot veldrestourasie, maar fokus terselfdertyd op "wat om in die praktyk te doen". Boere, mynbouers, bioloë, konsultante, staatsdiensamptenare en die industrie kan, en behóórt, hierdie boek te gebruik om 'n verskil op hulle terreine te maak.

• Daar word begin met 'n omvattende inleiding tot Namakwaland, die uniekheid en geskiedenis asook die impakte op sy ekosisteme. Daarná volg 'n voortreflike beskrywing van die plantlewe, diversiteit en aanpassings tot die streek.
• Sterk klem word verder gelê op een van die belangrikste aspekte van restourasie: hoe om die grondoppervlak te bewaar, deur middel van unieke metodes te stabiliseer, en sodoende vir die vestiging van plantegroei geskik te maak.
• In vier latere hoostukke word die verskillende metodes bespreek wat gebruik kan word om sade en plante op gedegradeerde areas te hervestig. Dit sluit in saadversameling sowel as 'n verskeidenheid saaimetodes, onder andere die innoverende "restourasiepakke" (waarmee unieke benaderings ontwikkel is om mikrohabitatte te skep vir plantaanwas), direkte verplanting en kwekerymerodes en infrasktruktuur om volwasse plante in die veld te vestig.
• Die finale hoofstuk bied 'n innoverende en gebruikers-vriendelike 100-puntmetode om restourasiesukses te meet.

Belangrike konsepte word met vele kleurryke, impakvolle foto's en sketse geïllustreer. Alhoewel hierdie boek op die Namakwaland-streek van die Sukkelente Karoo gefokus is, geld die metodes binne sy bladsye ook vir eksosisteme en ekosisteemdreigemente in verder geleë streke van die Karoo en ander halfwoestyngebiede waar struike, kruide of vetplante algemeen voorkom.

Grasses may be the most successful plant family on the planet.

Among the world's most familiar plants, grasses are one of the most diverse and ecologically important plant groups, and in East Africa are a vital part of the identity and character of the landscape, occurring from ocean shores through drylands, woodlands and savannas, to wetlands, forests and even mountain tops. They are also a fundamental resource for both humans and animals.

"Grasses of East Africa" describes 100 species of common, ecologically important or remarkable grasses found in Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi. It is an important introduction to the ecology and natural history of the region's grasses and a valuable guide to identification. The detailed species descriptions are accompanied by beautiful illustrations and full-colour photographs.

"Grasses of East Africa" will prove invaluable to students, scientists, travellers and nature lovers.

Aloes are the flagship plants of Africa, vividly defining the landscapes in which they occur. In garden settings, these stately succulent plants capture the allure of the African savanna and serve as excellent focus plants around which other indigenous plants can be successfully grouped. "Aloes in Southern Africa" explores the character and biology of African aloes, describing their habits, characteristic features and distribution in nature. It also details 58 aloe and related species across several vegetation zones. Aloe cultivation and propagation is discussed too, providing insight into optimum growing conditions, gardening styles and plants that flourish in different regions. A feature on medicinal, cosmetic and culinary uses reveals the special properties of these intriguing plants.

Whether you are starting a garden, redeveloping one or simply looking to expand your knowledge of these fascinating succulents, "Aloes in Southern Africa" will prove an invaluable guide.

"Freshwater Life" - the first illustrated field guide of its kind for the wider southern African region - describes a vast range of aquatic plant and animal groups in a single volume. This ground-breaking publication encompasses diverse groups from the large and conspicuous vertebrates to the diverse microscopic taxa, facilitating identification and describing the ecology of more than 1,000 freshwater organisms.
Species have been selected on the basis of how likely they are to be encountered, and each account is accompanied by photographs and a distribution map. A comprehensive introduction details the ecology and significance of freshwater systems. This indispensable, easy-to-use guide will prove invaluable to outdoor enthusiasts, students and conservationists.

An essential guide, "Snakes and Snakebite in Southern Africa" describes all dangerous, and several harmless, snakes occurring in the region. It also describes the symptoms resulting from bites and gives practical advice on first-aid measures.
Now fully revised and expanded, this third edition includes nine additional species, over 250 new photographs, and the latest medical information.
Simple icons, distribution maps, succinct text and full-colour photographs make this a clear, practical and easy-to-use guide.

Chameleons are fascinating creatures: they evoke a strong response in people, be it delight and wonder or fear. "Chameleons of Southern Africa" explores this interesting group of lizards and discusses their unusual and intriguing characteristics.

The book presents and overview of all types of chameleons (of which there are up to 160 species), their history, geographic distribution (restricted mainly to Madagascar and Africa), reproduction, behaviour and their relationships to one another. And there's a comprehensive identification guide to all southern African species - some 25 have been identified to date - together with distribution maps and colourful photographs of their many features and guises.

For interested students, gardeners, naturalists and even just the curious, "Chameleons of Southern Africa" is an essential guide to these captivating lizards.

"Insektopedie" lê die betowering en ryke verskeidenheid van die wêreld van insekte bloot - van paring en broeigedrag, metamorfose en beweging tot sig, reuk, gehoor en hul anpassings by hitte en koue.
'n Hoofstuk oor superorganismes odnersoek die merkwaardige verskynsel van sosiale gemeenskappe; 'n ander een dek die kritieke rol wat dié diertjeis speel om die fyn balans van lewe op ons planeet in stand te hou.
Die boek sluit af met 'n 62-bladsy geïllustreerde gids wat die meeste insekordes en hul belangrikste families beskryf. Voorheen uitgegee as "Inseklopedie van Suider-Afrika" gepubliseer, maar die nuwe uitgawe is nou omvattend hersien en herontwerp, met die nuutste inligting, 'n uitgebreide ID-seksie en 'n paar honderd nuwe foto's.

"Insectopedia" uncovers the fascinating and infinitely varied world of insects - from mating and breeding, metamorphosis and movement to sight, smell, hearing and their adaptations to heat and cold.
A chapter on superorganisms probes the curious phenomenon of social communities among insects; another covers the critical role that these creatures play in maintaining the fragile balance of life on our planet.
The book concludes with a 62-page illustrated guide, describing most insect orders and their main families. Previously published as "Insectlopedia of Southern Africa", this fully revised and redesigned edition includes up-to-date information throughout, an expanded ID section, and several hundred new photographs.

A walking safari is one of the best ways of exploring South Africa's famously diverse parks and reserves - just as our ancestors once did, on foot, in the tracks of wild animals, attuned to the scents and sounds of nature. Accompanied by expert trail guides, walkers experience the thrill of encountering wildlife, and gain insight into their behaviour and habitat.
Seasoned hikers Hlengiwe Magagula and Denis Costello identify 59 guided walking experiences across 18 parks and reserves in South Africa, along with two in eSwatini and one in Botswana. They present the choices available in each park - short, dawn and dusk walks, wilderness trails from dedicated base camps, and multi-day backpacking trails. Accommodation ranges from ultra-luxurious to 'wild camping' under the stars, so there is something to suit every pocket. A series of first-hand accounts vividly illustrates the profound impact of encountering nature on foot, and a practical section discusses pre-trip preparation and the dos and don'ts of walking in areas with big game.
"Walking Safaris" is both an invitation to reconnect with our wild heritage and a call to preserve the myriad life forms of our natural world - essential for the future of all creatures.

This inspirational guide will help you to bring birds into your garden the natural way, by creating a wildlife-friendly outdoor space wherever you are in southern Africa. The book also profiles 101 garden birds likely to be found in gardens across the region and advises what to look and listen for, where and when. Vibrant photography and watercolour illustrations bring garden birds to life.

• Get to know your local species, their feeding, breeding calls and general behaviour
• Design your garden to attract the widest range of birds and other wildlife
• Discover the best plants and structures to provide food and shelter for birds
• Be inspired by recommended indigenous trees, shrubs, climbers, aloes and grasses

Namibia - ein faszinierendes Land der Gegensätze, in dem Auen, Sümpfe und die ältese Wüste der Welt zu einer reichen biologischen Vielfalt beigetragen haben. Dieser umfassende Bildband enthält über 540 der auffälligsten und interessantesten Säugetiere, Vögel, Reptilien, Invertebraten und Pflanzen des Landes. Jede Darstellung beschreibt Aussehen, Größe und Verhaltensweisen der Arten und enthält eine Karte mit den Verbreitungsgebieten sowie Informationen zum Lebenstraum und zu den besten Beobachtungsorten.

Is a zebra black with white stripes or white with black stripes? And why do flamingos stand on one leg while bats hang upside down? Did you know that a chameleon's tongue can shoot out at five times the acceleration of a fighter jet?

In "The Buck That Buries its Poo", naturalist Quinton Coetzee answers these and many other intriguing wildlife questions. He also dispels countless myths and elucidates some of the legends that surround creatures in the South African bush we thought we knew all about. For example, bats do not get tangled in people's hair (because they are far too adept at flying) and elephants are not afraid of mice (but they do fear bees).
Other tall tales you might hear around the campfire are that lions toll in animal dung, entrails or carcasses to disguise their scent, and that rhinos have a predilection for stamping out fires. What is true, though, is that hyenas are more closely related to cats than to dogs.
This handy guide is based on Coetzee's own research and that of others, and his experience gleaned over decades living close to nature and wildlife. It seeks to unravel the mysteries of nature in Africa - from mammals and birds to arthropods and plants - with fascinating information and fun trivia. It is a book that will enlighten and entertain.

PS: Zebras are black with white stripes!

Equally skilled in a variety of trades other than in the art of love, the Italian prisoners of war (POWs) who were incarcerated in South Africa during the Second World War are a source of great fascination to this day. Who were these men? And what made some of them attempt dramatic escapes, while others wanted to stay behind after the war?
The first Italian POWs arrived in the Union of South Africa in early 1941, most of them being held in Zonderwater Camp outside Cullinan or in word camps across the country. The governement of Jan Smuts saw them as a source of cheap labour that would contribute to harvesting schemes, road-building projects such as the old Du Toit's Kloof Pass between Paarl and Worcester and even to prickly-pear eradication schemes.
"Prisoners of Jan Smuts" recounts the stories of survival and shenanigans of the Italian POWs in the Union through the eyes of five prisoners who clung to the Fascist ideas they had grown up with and refused to work.
Many opted to remain in South Africa once the war had ended, forging quite a legacy. These included sculptor Edoardo Villa, who left an important mark in the local and international art world, and businessman Aurelio Gatti, who built an ice-cream empire whose gelato was to delight generations of South Africans.

/ Charles Oertel staan koponderstebo langs die graf. In Februarie was dit sy lieflingseun Jim, nou is dit Ronald... 'n seun aan Boerekant... 'n skoonseun aan die Britse kant. Wat moet hy nog prysgee voor daar weer rus en vrede kom? /

Oertel bevind hom in 'n netelige posisie. Hy is 'n skatryk Vrystaatse boer en het sentimente jeens beide magte wat tydens die Anglo-Boereoorlog slaags raak.

Bothma se noukeurige navorsing oor hierdie invloedryke man en sy nasate se lotgevalle tydens en ná die oorlog bevestig geboekstaafde kennis, maar bied ook nuwe inligting. Daarbenewens is dit 'n boeiend menslike verhaal wat die leser tot nadenke stem. Sou dit anders verloop het as dit nie vir die oorlog was nie? Keer die mens nie die punt van die swaard self op sy hart nie?

/ Terwyl die vlaktes duskant Upington droomverlore in die maanlig gelê het, het ek aan Matt White se woorde gedink: "I want to die with my boots on." Miskien was dit ook hoe die Ferreiras wou sterf? /


Die ink op die Vredesverdrag van Vereeniging was skaars droog, toe John Hendrik Ferreira en vyf makkers die Kaapkolonie vanuit Duits-Suidwes-Afrika binnegeval het om Suid-Afrika van Britse herskappy te bevry. Tien dae lank het "die Ferreiras" die Kalahari op horings geneem en die Kaapse polisie laat bontstaan. Mense weet van die bekookte Jameson inval wat die Anglo-Boereoorlog voorafgegaan het, maar van die Ferreira-inval weet hulle niks nie. Louis Bothma - onafhanklike navorser en skrywer van "Die Buffel Struikel", "Vang 'n Boer" en "Rebelspoor" - het hierdie vergete episode uit die rooi Kalaharisand gaan opdiep, en soos net hy kan, vir die leser in konteks geplaas. Nadat hy een laag geskiedenis na die ander tot op die been oopgevlek het, voer Bothma die verhaal tot 'n dramatiese einde.


/ Alles het toe mooi uitgewerk. Die Kalahari steek sy geheime onder die sand weg. Goed so dat die houtkruis ook nou onder die sand verdwyn het. Jean en Flip hoef nie meer daardie kruis te dra nie. Hulle is nou vry. /