Media Coverage and Publicity:

There has been extensive media coverage of the Healing Power of Nature. In the Citizen, Cathryn Pearmen- Owens describes The Last Strandloper as “An enchanting documentary about the seemingly simple life of a man, Johnny Appels, who lives by and from the sea.” The whole series and individual episodes have been highlighted as pick of the day in major newspapers, including The Star, Die Burger, Sunday Times and The Cape Argus.

Not only was The Last Strandloper shown at the Encounters Film festival, but it was chosen to open the festival in Cape Town and Johannesburg. We were honoured, as this festival is a showcase of some of the best domestic and international documentaries. As a result, Michael Raimondo, director of the Last Strandloper, was invited to an interview on Morning Live as well as two interviews on SAFM. These took place before the films were broadcast and gave the series national exposure. The Last Strandloper will also be screened at the Apollo Film Festival for the first time on the 25th of Septemeber in Cape Town.

The series was also presented at workshops, during the recent Global Environmental Facility (GEF) meetings in Cape Town. It was presented at EnviroMedia to local and international journalist, to demonstrate the innovative style of African Wildlife filmmaking. In addition the series was showcased at the recent national scriptwriters meeting.

Uncannily nature rose to give publicity. Unfortunately, on the day Bonding with the Beast was broadcast there was a shark attack in the waters off Cape Town. Michael Raimondo shot much of the footage that appeared on the news. Regrettably the hands of humans were involved in the poisoning of Jenny Trethowan. She headed Baboon Matters; an organisation featured in My Friends the Baboons. These events underscore the relevance of the subjects that the series explores to South African debate on nature conservation.

The first episode of the series was the 5th most watched program in SABC 3's prime time slot. By the time the fourth episode was screened the series had increased in popularity, and is now the 3rd most watched program in the prime time slot after the soap operas  Days of Our Lives and Isidingo.