DiscoverAfternoon Drive with John MaythamBeyond the Big Five: Why Reptiles and Amphibians Matter for Africa’s Future
Beyond the Big Five: Why Reptiles and Amphibians Matter for Africa’s Future

Beyond the Big Five: Why Reptiles and Amphibians Matter for Africa’s Future

Update: 2025-12-10
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As climate pressures intensify and human activity accelerates, Africa’s hidden species — its reptiles, amphibians, plants and lesser-known mammals — are sounding the loudest alarm. Understanding what’s at stake, and how to protect ecosystems in both wild and human-dominated landscapes, has never been more critical.
John Maytham speaks to Dr Hayley Clements, Senior Researcher at Stellenbosch University and the University of Helsinki, about what this research means for conservation, policy, and the future of Africa’s biodiversity

Presenter John Maytham is an actor and author-turned-talk radio veteran and seasoned journalist. His show serves a round-up of local and international news coupled with the latest in business, sport, traffic and weather. The host’s eclectic interests mean the program often surprises the audience with intriguing book reviews and inspiring interviews profiling artists. 

A daily highlight is Rapid Fire, just after 5:30 pm. CapeTalk fans call in, to stump the presenter with their general knowledge questions. Another firm favourite is the humorous Thursday crossing with award-winning journalist Rebecca Davis, called “Plan B”. 

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Beyond the Big Five: Why Reptiles and Amphibians Matter for Africa’s Future

Beyond the Big Five: Why Reptiles and Amphibians Matter for Africa’s Future

CapeTalk