La Voce - Sudafrica

29/10/2025

28/10/2025

Sicily, the largest island in the Mediterranean, is rich in history, culture, and natural beauty, making it a unique region of Italy.
Geography and Demographics

Sicily (Italian: Sicilia) is located in the central Mediterranean Sea, separated from the Italian mainland by the Strait of Messina. It is the largest island in the Mediterranean, covering an area of approximately 25,711 square kilometres (9,927 square miles) and has a population of about 4.7 million people, with Palermo as its capital. The island features a diverse landscape, including mountains, hills, and beautiful coastlines, with Mount Etna being the most prominent landmark as the tallest active volcano in Europe.

Historical Significance
Sicily has a rich and complex history, influenced by various civilizations, including the Greeks, Romans, Arabs, Normans, and Spaniards. It was a significant centre of trade and culture in the ancient world, with Greek colonies established around 750 BC. The island is home to several UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including the Valley of the Temples in Agrigento, the Arab-Norman architecture of Palermo, and the ancient ruins of Syracuse.

Tourism and Attractions
Sicily's sunny, dry climate, scenery, cuisine, history, and architecture attract many tourists from the rest of Italy and abroad. The tourist season peaks in the summer months, although people visit the island all year round. Mount Etna, the beaches, the archaeological sites, and major cities such as Palermo, Catania, Syracuse and Ragusa are the favourite tourist destinations, but the old town of Taormina and the neighbouring seaside resort of Giardini Naxos draw visitors from all over the world, as do the Aeolian Islands, Erice, Terrasini, Castellammare del Golfo, Cefalù, Agrigento, the Pelagie Islands and Capo d'Orlando. The last features some of the best-preserved temples of the ancient Greek period. Many Mediterranean cruise ships stop in Sicily, and many wine tourists also visit the island.
Some scenes of several Hollywood and Cinecittà films were shot in Sicily. This increased the attraction of Sicily as a tourist destination.
There are seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites on Sicily. By the order of inscription:
• Valle dei Templi (1997) is one of the most outstanding examples of Magna Graecia art and architecture, and is one of the main attractions of Sicily as well as a national monument of Italy. The site is located in Agrigento.
• Villa Romana del Casale (1997) is a Roman villa built in the first quarter of the 4th century and located about 3 km (2 mi) outside the town of Piazza Armerina. It contains the richest, largest and most complex collection of Roman mosaics in the world.[154]
• Aeolian Islands (2000) are a volcanic archipelago in the Tyrrhenian Sea, named after the demigod of the winds Ae**us. The Aeolian Islands are a tourist destination in the summer and attract up to 200,000 visitors annually.
• Late Baroque Towns of the Val di Noto (2002) "represent the culmination and final flowering of Baroque art in Europe". It includes several towns: Caltagirone, Militello in Val di Catania, Catania, Modica, Noto, Palazzolo Acreide, Ragusa and Scicli.
• Necropolis of Pantalica (2005) is a large Necropolis in Sicily with over 5,000 tombs dating from the 13th to the 7th centuries BC. Syracuse is notable for its rich Greek history, culture, amphitheatres and architecture. They are situated in south-eastern Sicily.
• Mount Etna (2013) is one of the most active volcanoes in the world and is in an almost constant state of activity and generated myths, legends and naturalistic observation from Greek, Celts and Roman classic and medieval times.
• Arab-Norman Palermo and the cathedral churches of Cefalù and Monreale; includes a series of nine civil and religious structures dating from the era of the Norman kingdom of Sicily (1130–1194)
Because many different cultures settled, dominated or invaded the island, Sicily has a huge variety of archaeological sites. Also, some of the most notable and best preserved temples and other structures of the Greek world are located in Sicily.[163] Here is a short list of the major archaeological sites:
• Sicels/Sicans/Elymians/Greeks: Segesta, Eryx, Cava Ispica, Thapsos, Pantalica;
• Greeks: Syracuse, Agrigento, Segesta, Selinunte, Gela, Kamarina, Himera, Megara Hyblaea, Naxos, Heraclea Minoa;
• Phoenicians: Motya, Soluntum, Marsala, Palermo;
• Romans: Piazza Armerina, Centuripe, Taormina, Palermo;
The excavation and restoration of one of Sicily's best known archaeological sites, the Valley of the Temples in Agrigento, was at the direction of the archaeologist Domenico Antonio Lo Faso Pietrasanta, Fifth Duke of Serradifalco, known in archaeological circles simply as "Serradifalco". He also oversaw the restoration of ancient sites at Segesta, Selinunte, Siracusa and Taormina.

Conclusion
Sicily is a region that encapsulates a rich tapestry of history, culture, and natural beauty. Its strategic location in the Mediterranean has made it a crossroads of civilizations, each leaving a lasting impact on the island's identity. Whether exploring ancient ruins, enjoying its unique cuisine, or hiking on Mount Etna, Sicily offers a diverse and enriching experience for visitors.

28/10/2025

Cultural Heritage
Sicily's culture is a blend of various influences, reflected in its architecture, language, and cuisine. The island is known for its unique dialect, Sicilian, which is still widely spoken alongside Italian. Sicilian cuisine is famous for its diverse flavours, often incorporating sweet and sour elements, a legacy of Arab culinary traditions. Signature dishes include arancini (stuffed rice balls), pasta alla Norma (pasta with eggplant), and caponata (a sweet-and-sour eggplant dish).

To have seen Italy without having seen Sicily is to not have seen Italy at all, for Sicily is the clue to everything.
Sicily has long been associated with the arts; many poets, writers, philosophers, intellectuals, architects and painters have roots on the island. Among the earliest luminaries there are Gorgias and Empedocles, two highly noted Sicilian-Greek philosophers, while the Syracusan-Greek Epicharmus is held to be the inventor of comedy. One of the most famous intellectuals in Greek antiquity was Archimedes, a Syracuse native who is recognized as one of the greatest mathematicians of all time.

Art and architecture
Baglio are traditional living structures in Western Sicily.

Ceramics
Terracotta ceramics from the island are well known, the art of ceramics on Sicily goes back to the original ancient peoples named the Sicanians, it was then perfected during the period of Greek colonization and is still prominent and distinct to this day. Nowadays, Caltagirone is one of the most important centres in Sicily for the artistic production of ceramics and terra-cotta sculptures. Famous painters include Renaissance artist Antonello da Messina, Pietro Novelli, Bruno Caruso, Renato Guttuso and Greek born Giorgio de Chirico who is commonly dubbed the "father of Surrealist art" and founder of the metaphysical art movement. The most noted architects are Filippo Juvarra (one of the most important figures of the Italian Baroque) and Ernesto Basile.

The Sicilian Baroque has a unique architectural identity. Noto, Caltagirone, Catania, Ragusa, Modica, Scicli and particularly Acireale contain some of Italy's best examples of Baroque architecture, carved in the local red sandstone. Noto provides one of the best examples of the Baroque architecture brought to Sicily. The Baroque style in Sicily was largely confined to buildings erected by the church, and palazzi built as private residences for the Sicilian aristocracy. The earliest examples of this style in Sicily lacked individuality and were typically heavy-handed pastiches of buildings seen by Sicilian visitors to Rome, Florence, and Naples. However, even at this early stage, provincial architects had begun to incorporate certain vernacular features of Sicily's older architecture. By the middle of the 18th century, when Sicily's Baroque architecture was noticeably different from that of the mainland, it has a unique freedom of design that is difficult to characterize in words. (Wikipedia)

26/10/2025

The man who transformed a Johannesburg park from a crime-ridden wilderness to a true gem
By Seth Thorne

Tucked in the heart of Johannesburg, a city often struggling with decay and disconnection, The Wilds Nature Reserve has quietly become one of its most inspiring revival stories. Once an overgrown, forgotten 40-acre patch of land that most people avoided, it now ranks as the city’s top park, attracting more than 10,000 visitors each month.

With lush greenery, surprising wildlife, art installations, and sweeping views, The Wilds has become a true gem in the middle of the city.

This is thanks to artist James Delaney, who led the charge and helped to turn the once-forgotten park into a vibrant public space through years of hard work and community involvement. This is thanks to artist James Delaney, who led the charge and helped to turn the once-forgotten park into a vibrant public space through years of hard work and community involvement.

Situated near the Witwatersrand watershed, the area was rocky and barren, with the Sandspruit River flowing through its kloof.

In 1889, the Houghton Syndicate bought the land in hopes of finding gold but came up empty. Ownership later passed to the Johannesburg Consolidated Investment Company (JCI), founded by mining magnate Barney Barnato. Seeing its potential as a quiet refuge from the chaos of Johannesburg was established in 1886, the land now known as The Wilds was originally part of J.J. Grobler’s portion of the Klipfontein farm.

As part of their efforts to attract wealthy residents, JCI donated land for schools and, in 1924, gave the original portion of The Wilds to the city as a public park.

Following the 1936 Empire Exhibition in Johannesburg, indigenous plants showcased at the event were moved to The Wilds, which was then reserved for native flora.

In 1950, the park was dedicated to Jan Smuts, with a commemorative plaque quoting Virgil: “Blessed too is he who learned to know the Gods of the Wilds.”

The park has also been linked to political figures like Bram Fischer and Violet Weinberg, who wanted to garden there and held Communist gatherings in the park in the 1950s and ’60s, respectively.

Water features were added in the 1950s, and a striking pedestrian bridge was built in 1965. A year later, JCI gifted greenhouses to mark its 75th anniversary. The reserve is split into two sections, the East and West sides. It is separated by the main road, Houghton Drive, but a pedestrian bridge connects the two sides.

By the late 1990s, going into the 2000s, the park had fallen into neglect and developed a reputation for crime, keeping visitors away. Speaking at a TEDx Talk, Delaney said the restoration journey began a decade ago after he moved into a Killarney apartment overlooking The Wilds. At that time, the park was so desolate, nobody went there.

His daily walks with his dog, Pablo, a Labrador Retriever cross, became the unlikely catalyst for change. “I thought, this is crazy that I live next to this big green space, and I can’t go there.”

Armed with clippers and a newfound purpose, he began venturing into the park, describing his discovery of “this Wonderland, like this enchanted forest”.
The park, nearly a century old, revealed hidden lakes, ponds, waterfalls, and bridges.

As the overgrowth was cleared, nature began to recover, with indigenous plants thriving under the renewed light and rain.

Delaney signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with City Parks, which brought in more staff.

The Wilds is currently being maintained by Delaney and several other volunteers, as well as Johannesburg City Parks and Zoos. “At first, I started working in the park by myself because, at the time, I didn’t know who to contact for assistance. I eventually contacted JCPZ and explained what I was doing.” (Newsday)

26/10/2025

Il crimine ambientale, un sabotaggio che va oltre la sola economia sudafricana

Il crimine ambientale è diventato una delle minacce più gravi alla sicurezza nazionale del Sudafrica, alimentando la criminalità organizzata, mettendo in pericolo la biodiversità e rischiando la vita dei ranger.

Parlando in occasione del World Ranger Day al Table Mountain National Park, il Ministro della Silvicoltura, della Pesca e dell'Ambiente (DFFE), Dion George, ha avvertito che il crimine contro la fauna selvatica non è più una questione marginale, ma "sabotaggio economico".

Il bracconaggio in Sudafrica ha gravi impatti ecologici, economici e sociali. A livello ecologico, il bracconaggio sta spingendo specie come i rinoceronti verso l'estinzione, sconvolgendo gli ecosistemi e compromettendo la biodiversità. A livello economico, danneggia l'industria del turismo, riducendo il numero di turisti e i ricavi, e colpendo le comunità che dipendono dal turismo per il loro sostentamento. A livello sociale, alcuni studi hanno dimostrato che il bracconaggio può alimentare la corruzione, i conflitti e la disuguaglianza all'interno delle comunità.

"Non si tratta di piccoli reati. È un sabotaggio economico. Distrugge posti di lavoro locali. Mette a rischio i ranger e le forze dell'ordine", ha dichiarato George.

Una preoccupante tendenza in crescita
Proseguendo un trend preoccupante, il 2025 è stato un anno intenso per i crimini ambientali nel Paese. Il Sudafrica ha registrato 14 episodi di bracconaggio di leoni, diversi sequestri di pangolini e la morte per avvelenamento di centinaia di avvoltoi nel Kruger National Park.

Alla fine di marzo, 103 rinoceronti erano stati uccisi illegalmente in Sudafrica, con una media di oltre 34 al mese. In confronto, nel corso del 2024, i rinoceronti uccisi in tutto il Paese sono stati 420, un calo rispetto ai 499 dell'anno precedente.

George ha sottolineato che i criminali che affrontano i ranger sudafricani sono simili a quelli presi di mira dalle agenzie di polizia convenzionali. "Non si tratta di un semplice pattugliamento. I nostri ranger combattono sindacati criminali organizzati che contrabbandano abaloni, trafficano fauna selvatica, rubano piante protette e derubano le generazioni future", ha affermato.

"Alcuni dei nostri ranger non possono tornare a casa perché i bracconieri sanno dove vivono le loro famiglie. Altri affrontano minacce verbali e fisiche, tangenti camuffate da favori o ritorsioni da parte delle reti criminali quando fanno il loro lavoro troppo bene."

Potenziamento e nuove strategie
In risposta, George ha dichiarato che i South African National Parks (SANParks) hanno aumentato la capacità dei ranger del 43% negli ultimi due anni. Solo il Table Mountain National Park impiega 111 ranger. Ha anche sottolineato l'espansione della Sea, Air, and Mountain Special Operations Unit, che è più che raddoppiata dal 2021 e ha effettuato oltre 700 pattugliamenti e 71 interventi rapidi nell'ultimo anno.

Il ministro ha lodato la perseveranza e la dedizione dimostrate dai ranger sudafricani, attingendo alla sua esperienza personale dopo aver partecipato a un corso di formazione per ranger all'inizio dell'anno. "Ho visto in prima persona la disciplina e la resistenza necessarie per essere un ranger nel Sudafrica di oggi", ha detto. "Uomini e donne che vivono per settimane lontano dalle loro famiglie, che si muovono in silenzio su terreni pericolosi, che non portano solo fucili, ma anche la responsabilità per il nostro futuro."

George ha aggiunto che il suo dipartimento prevede di dotare meglio i ranger di strumenti per combattere il crimine ambientale, tra cui unità cinofile, droni, tecnologia di mappatura digitale e un maggiore supporto legale.

Per quanto riguarda l'azione contro questi sindacati criminali, George ha dichiarato che nel 2025 sono stati arrestati 40 sospetti per crimini contro le specie prioritarie, che includono leoni, leopardi, elefanti africani, rinoceronti bianchi, rinoceronti neri e varie specie di avvoltoi.

L'importanza delle comunità e i successi legali
Ci sono state anche diverse condanne, l'ultima delle quali all'inizio di luglio, quando quattro cittadini stranieri sono stati condannati per il bracconaggio di specie vegetali protette. "Il furto di piante succulente, un tempo considerato un crimine di nicchia, è ora un grande affare, con alcune specie rare che raggiungono prezzi esorbitanti sui mercati illeciti", ha detto George.

A giugno, un uomo è stato condannato a 14 anni di carcere per bracconaggio di rinoceronti, e un altro è stato condannato a 110 anni di carcere per lo stesso crimine e traffico in aprile, dopo aver eluso le autorità.

La presidente del consiglio di amministrazione di SANParks, Pam Yako, ha sottolineato l'importanza delle comunità nella lotta a questo crimine, che ha descritto come la "pietra angolare" degli sforzi di conservazione, in un'intervista a Newzroom Africa. "Se sei stato coinvolto nel contrasto a qualsiasi crimine, saprai che hai bisogno dell'intelligence che spesso i membri della comunità forniscono", ha detto Yako. "Continuano a farlo perché anche loro subiscono queste attività e, allo stesso tempo, ne vedono i benefici per le generazioni future."

Ha aggiunto che è fondamentale che i sudafricani comprendano la loro responsabilità nell’aiutare il Paese nella lotta contro il bracconaggio. MYBROADBAND

16/10/2025

16/10/2025