Mycelium Media Colab

11/06/2026

Our lovely Stefanie Swanepoel is currently in Rwanda on behalf of the Knowledge Hub for Organic Agriculture in Southern Africa. She is working with the amazing teams across Africa to connects knowledge, practice and policy to build resilient, equitable food systems. See post for more.

SAOSO PGS South Africa

KHSA's representatives are meeting with counterparts from the KHEA, KHWA, KHNA and KHCA for a strategy meeting in Kigali Rwanda. Looking forward to what's next for the KCOA in Africa. Thanks to GiZ and ROAM for the organising and hosting.

Photo credits: Rwandan Organic Agriculture Association




SAOSO Kasisi Agricultural Training Centre Pelum Zambia Kusamala Institute of Agriculture and Ecology PGS South Africa Zambia Alliance for Agroecology and Biodiversity Namibian Organic Association Soils, Food and Healthy Communities Seed and Knowledge Initiative - SKI Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (FiBL) Namibia Nature Foundation (NNF) SAFCEI Zambia Climate Change Network IFOAM - Organics International PELUM Eswatini Sustainability Institute KHNA - Knowledge Hub for Organic Agriculture & Agroecology in North Africa Kcoa_khea

10/06/2026

Old King Coal - a vision of life after coal
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QjQBS4mXaIA

What if you develop a theatre piece with activists that paints a powerful picture of the world they are fighting for?

That’s exactly the approach that went into the creation and performance of “Old King Coal”, which tells the story of living and working near coal mines in Mpumalanga, and imagines something better.

Initiated by Life After Coal, written by participatory theatre veteran Mike van Graan and facilitated by The Forgotten Angle Theatre Collaborative, the result was a sharp, witty and thought-provoking satire that takes a hard look at the legacy of coal, corporate power and the fight for a just transition.

Through humour, music and bold storytelling, the play shines a light on the human and environmental costs of extractivism - while imagining a different future beyond coal.

Mycelium member worked with this dynamic team to create the video. You can watch it on the link below for more on the process and the importance of satire and protest theatre in creating change.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QjQBS4mXaIA

09/06/2026

The Encounters Documentary Film Festival is on at the moment and as usual there are so many awesome films to choose from. We recommend A Place Called Paradise which follows a young couple who leave Cape Town for the rural town of Suurbraak in the Western Cape of South Africa.

We have a special place in our hearts for this couple and creators of the film, Rae Human and Rudi Lippert, and their gorgeous daughter Peaches. Rae is our producer on : she and Rudi played a key role in creating our promo, coming down to Cape Town for filming from Suurbraak.

Their film explores how community, nature and time can transform our understanding of where we belong. As Rae says, they are exploring “the relationship we keep with ourselves, each other and our environment. What inspired us to make it was the idea of urban fatigue and wanting to find alternative living that was conscious of our impact. The gentle peace found in choosing a livelihood that finds beauty in the simple but sacred gift of time.”

If you missed the first showing last weekend, folks in Joburg can catch it at the Bioscope this evening 9th June at 8pm, and this Saturday the 13th June, 6pm at The L***a Cinema , which also has a Q&A with the filmmakers. See you there!

Watch the trailer here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sHVqdJp4dYI



Wild Pantry

03/06/2026

Seeds of our Soul

We spend much of our time telling other people’s stories but every now and then we turn the camera towards the people whose values and inspiration are woven into the fabric of Mycelium.
In this latest profile piece, we introduce Stefanie Swanepoel and her deep passion for seeds, seed knowledge and the connections they create between people, place and future generations.
Seeds of Our Soul offers a glimpse into Stef's journey as a seed saver and storyteller, exploring how seeds carry not only the promise of growth but also culture, memory, resilience and hope.

27/05/2026

Looking for something to do this weekend?

Come and explore all things that support wellbeing and health at the Good Life Show from 29th to 31 May, most especially the most nutritious and delicious organic ingredients the region has to offer.

The Mycelium Mojo (mobile journalism) team will be covering the event on Friday 29th May as part of our collab with SAOSO, PGS South Africa and the Knowledge Hub for Organic Agriculture in Southern Africa.

Look out for them in their cool Crew shirts and let us know what healthy and organic means to you.

See you there!

23/05/2026

If you’ve been enjoying Mycelium’s newsletters and social media, that's down to the talents of Sungeni Karonga. For just over a year now she’s been herding us cats as our comms person and asking questions that have helped better understand ourselves as a co-operative and a network.

We’ve loved working with her - her vibrant personality, ability to connect with people and translate complexity into powerful words and visuals that get to the heart of things. Not forgetting big congratulations for graduating with an MPhil. in Sustainable Development and Management at Stellenbosch University at the end of last year!

Find her on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sungeni-karonga-4931541a2/

19/05/2026

Playing with Light 🎨 ✨

We often make videos for other people but we don’t often make videos about ourselves. Because Lara Taylor had some time between projects and struggles to keep still, she decided to make some profile videos that were a little different. So here’s the first in our series - a not so often seen side of the people behind Mycelium. 👀

Introducing Dr. Vanessa Farr. As an academic in the gender, conflict and environmental space, she often deals with difficult and complex topics. Here is some insight on how she uses art in her work process and as a personal tool.

For examples of what she’s been up to, check out her popular science writing in a blog article for our Water Stories website, on S***m and Pollutants in Cape Town’s False Bay; and the companion pieces, Ghar el Melh, Africa’s First Ramsar Accredited City and From Day Zero to Ramsar City!

https://waterstories.co.za/2025/06/02/sperm-and-pollutants/

12/05/2026

What does it take to grow local food systems that are resilient, community-led and rooted in local knowledge?

We’re looking forward to seeing you at our next Green Action Week Knowledge Exchange This Friday 15th May at 14.30 CAT!

Speakers from across the Green Action Week Community of Practice will reflect on experiences from their own contexts – from seed sovereignty and agroecology to indigenous foods, food sharing and women’s participation.

The session creates space to connect across regions, learn from lived experience and explore how communities are reclaiming food systems in practical and everyday ways.

Register now: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/XINF7CJ7RxqI-c0bT78Asw

Please share this invite with your networks and help spread the word. We’d love to bring more people working on and interested in local food systems into this sharing community.


Naturskyddsföreningen AFSA Consumer VOICE Masipag The Consumer Council of Zimbabwe Sustaining the Wild Coast

11/05/2026

Calling all and to this exciting opportunity.

The Seeds of Sustainability (SoS) Grants 2026 by the CEIBA Foundation are now open for applications. If you are leading a small-scale, high-impact environmental or community-led initiative tackling biodiversity loss, climate change, or environmental inequality, especially in tropical regions, this opportunity could help grow your impact.

👥 Eligible applicants include:
• Small non-profits
• Community groups
• Indigenous and local initiatives
• Small businesses and individuals with community support