On face value, the odds are stacked against Volkswagen’s brand-new Amarok double cab. Foremost, it is up against the might of SA’s favourite bakkie. That one from Japan that is built in KwaZulu-Natal and of which trillions of units have been sold world-wide. But there are others too. Like Isuzu’s KB, Nissan’s Navara, Ford’s Ranger and Mitsubishi’s Triton. This is the first comprehensive shoot-out between the Amarok and its natural born enemies. And for this momentuous occasion we gathered an ace jury to decide which bakkie is the king of double cab.

Raymond du Plessis of Tuffstuff 4x4 Insurance is 100 % behind the Lead SA initiative. From now on Raymond will salute 4x4-good-doers and those striving to make a difference in these monthly green pages in Leisure Wheels. Of course, you’ll still get all the practical green tips and info from Raymond, but perhaps by reading what others are doing to “Lead SA”, you will be inspired to do your bit, too.

The mystical flight, the penetrating eyes, the haunting hoot of the owl – these are things that evoke strong emotions in people. For some, the owl spells a bad omen, for others great fortune. If your culture is strongly ancestral, your hair will rise when the barn owl screeches in your yard. If you come from a farming background, you will turn over in bed with a happy sigh as you’ll know a rodent has met its fate.

Legalising industrial hemp farming in South Africa could turn this head-spinner into a money-spinner overnight. In many countries it’s already recognised as the cash crop of the century that can create jobs and fuel, nourish and clothe people, build houses and reduce our dependence on forest products. Though from the same plant family as marijuana, hemp has no stimulating effect. So what’s not to get high about, then?

Zimbete Country House, near the town of Empangeni, in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN). Set on the Nicolson family farm amidst beautiful tropical gardens filled with indigenous plants and about 130 bird species, the Zimbete Country House is a tranquil and unique lodging alternative, in the heart of KwaZulu-Natal

In a joint venture with Goodyear, the Impala group of companies is passing on key skills to other waste-focused vendors through on-site training at the Uitenhage tyre plant. Impala is one of just a handful of locally-based organisations to have achieved ISO 14001 certification -- one of the highest global standards for environmental management.

Many communities across Africa are directly dependent on wetlands for their survival, while wetlands also provide indirect but crucial services to many others. Yet despite this, these critical ecosystems are deteriorating and their capacity to provide goods and services is increasingly diminished as a result of human activities.

One of the projects that Tuffstuff is involved in is the Vulture Programme of the Rhino and Lion Wildlife Conservation non-profit organisation. Abbreviated to Vulpro, the programme describes its mission as "to be a leader in the field of vulture conservation for advancing knowledge, awareness and innovation in the conservation of African vulture populations for the benefit and well-being of society."

Londolozi, situated in the Sabi Sands Game Reserve, initiated its zero emissions, electric Land Rover Defender game-viewing project just more than a year ago. Now its first, fully operational, electrically-powered safari game-viewing vehicle has landed, and a fleet of silent 4x4s is no longer just a pipedream, but a practical reality three phases: importing an electric vehicle from China; converting one of their existing Land Rovers into a full electric vehicle; and developing a fully solar-powered vehicle, so that electricity wouldn't be required to recharge the vehicle's batteries.

Despite years of conservation and educational programmes, rhino horns are still seen as the magical ingredient in Asian and African medicine and as aphrodisiacs across the world. They are also sought as handles for daggers made in Yemen and Oman.