The Nature Diary: More than a hike – the stories hidden in the Cape Peninsula

Gugs Mhlungu chats with resident CSI and conservationist Tim Neary, alongside accredited mountain guide, trail designer, and Wilderness Search and Rescue volunteer Tim Lundy, about the updated edition of a beloved hiking guide originally written by Lundy’s father. Having re-walked every route feat…

The Nature Diary: Mother’s Day special – exploring motherhood in the ocean

Gugs Mhlungu chats with resident CSI and conservationist Tim Neary and Maryke Masson, executive manager of Conservation Education and Communications at the South African Association for Marine Biological Research, about motherhood in the animal kingdom. They explore the parenting behaviours of mar…

The Nature Diary: Fisherman rescues python from the ocean

Gugs Mhlungu chats to Tim Neary, resident CSI and nature conservationist, and snake rescuer Nick Evans about the tale of the ocean-based Python rescue. Gugs Mhlungu is your weekend companion for thoughtful conversations on lifestyle, health, culture, books, food, and everything happening around 70…

The Nature Diary: How drones are saving South Africa’s flamingo population

Gugs Mhlungu chats with resident CSI and conservationist Tim Neary and Matt Pretorius, Endangered Wildlife Trust's Wildlife and Energy Programme project manager, about a drone-led initiative to fit overhead warning lights onto a municipal power line.  It is aimed at helping protect the local flami…

The Nature Diary: World Earth Day 2026 and the importance of biodiversity

Gugs Mhlungu chats with resident CSI and conservationist Tim Neary and Angus Burns, senior manager of WWF’s Land and Biodiversity Stewardship Programme, about Angus’s passion for photography and conservation. They discuss the importance of biodiversity and sustainable living in caring for the plan…

The Nature Diary: Can DNA help find animals we haven’t seen in decades?

Gugs Mhlungu chats with resident CSI and nature conservationist Tim Neary and and Dr Samantha Theron (Mynhardt), conservation genetics researcher, part of the EWT's expert-led eDNA about interesting innovative search systems.  This includes environmental DNA (eDNA) used to trace genetic clues and …

The Nature Diary: Deep dive into Jean Napier Hattingh’s life underwater

Gugs Mhlungu chats with resident CSI and nature conservationist Tim Neary and Jean Hattingh, diver, record-holding spear fisherwoman and author of Against the Tide. Hattingh talks about her journey in spearfishing, the challenges she has faced, including gender discrimination and close encounters…

The Nature Diary: Unpacking how relocation helps cheetahs survive

Gugs Mhlungu chats with resident CSI and nature conservationist Tim Neary and Dr Kelsey Smit, senior data scientist with the Conservation Canine Unit, discussing the relocation of cheetahs as a strategy for survival. They unpack the Endangered Wildlife Trust’s work in rescuing and rehabilitating o…

The Nature Diary: The reuse of invasive alien plants and their benefits for communities

Gugs Mhlungu chats with resident CSI and nature conservationist Tim Neary, and David Mayson, CEO and senior consultant at Phuhlisani non-profit company, about a groundbreaking Elandskloof community centre.  Built from invasive alien plant materials, they explain how the center supports sustainabil…

The Nature Diary: How dangerous are spider bites?

Gugs Mhlungu chats to Tim Neary, resident CSI and nature conservationist, and Jarrod Todd, an enthusiastic member of South Africa’s Spider Club, about how deadly spider bites can be. This was after a Klerksdorp baker is said to have died following an 11-day battle after being bitten by a violin sp…