Access to nature is not a luxury but a necessity for physical, psychological, and spiritual wellbeing. Numerous studies in many countries have documented the benefits of being in nature. However, more research needs to be done in developing countries on the importance of nature experience. In these countries, nature is often considered a luxury once basic needs are met. Instead, the focus is on economic development, housing and sanitation, and access to green space. As urbanization accelerates in developing countries, nature experience is becoming increasingly rare, and access to nature and green spaces is highly skewed along socioeconomic lines.
On Friday, 21 April, the streets of eight Cape Town communities came alive with the launch of Sporting Chance Street Netball. Within the villages of Grassy Park, Elsies River, Mitchell’s Plain, Khayelitsha, Langa, Mfuleni, Ocean View, and Nomzamo, the program’s goal is to teach 768 young girls under the age of 13 essential life skills. In addition, the program also features a component that teaches life skills. This effort is being carried out as a part of the Countdown to the Netball World Cup being hosted by the City of Cape Town, and it is going to reach its climax during the festival finale, which will take place at the same time as the 2023 Vitality Netball World Cup. (VNWC).