Thursday, 6 August 2026

The Organ Donor Foundation said the biggest barrier to registrations is education, not religion or culture: many people click through to sign up but far fewer complete it, so they’re intensifying social media campaigns and family outreach.

Myths were tackled head-on: doctors will not let patients die to harvest organs, brain death is confirmed by two independent doctors, there is no thriving black market in South Africa, and donors’ families pay no costs and receive no money.

Listeners were urged to tell family members they’re registered donors, because coordinators can only act if relatives know the wish; the foundation also said there are no age limits and even corneas and tissue from older donors can still be used.

Practical decluttering advice centred on starting with one small area, sorting items into categories, using charities for donations, and handling sentimental clutter by keeping a few meaningful items, digitising photos, and letting the rest go.

Marimba Jam is staging the first Marimba World Championships on 15–16 August at St Cyprian School in Cape Town, with more than 1,000 players from across southern Africa, competition categories, workshops, and audience participation.