South Africans joined millions around the world in commemorating World Environment Day on June 5, and World Oceans Day on 8 June 2021. A year ago we were in the throes of the global Covid-19 pandemic. Today, the world is opening up as more countries, including SA, successfully roll out vaccination programmes.  

Many activists and lobbyists have raised the alarm that other important issues have taken a back seat amidst the pandemic. As the world battled against Covid-19 and spared no effort to develop successful vaccines, among others, conflicts around the world in Ethiopia, Israel-Palestine, gender-based violence, chronic hunger and unemployment have continued unabated...