Nature Inspires: A South African Pub Within the Grand Sunland Baobab

🌳 An Unforgettable Marvel of Nature and Hospitality

On Sunland Farm, nestled in the rolling hills of Limpopo Province near Modjadjiskloof, South Africa, stood a singular wonder of both nature and human ingenuity. Known variously as the Sunland Big Baobab, Platland Baobab, or colourfully as “Tree Bar” or the “Pub Tree”, it was a living legend: an enormous hollowed baobab tree containing within its colossal trunk a fully‑functioning pub and wine cellar.

Celebrated across travel guides and ecological journals alike, the Big Baobab was carbon‑dated to ages as high as 6,000 years, a claim that made it older than the pyramids. Although some scientific studies suggested a more conservative age of around 1,060 ± 75 years, its sheer scale—22 m high, 47 m in circumference, trunk diameter 10.64 m—made it one of Africa’s largest and most ancient baobabs (Wikipedia).

The Age‑Old Mystery: Carbon‑Dating the Giants

Baobabs (Adansonia digitata) are famed not only for their gargantuan size but also their astonishing longevities. Traditional methods of tree‑ring age estimation are impossible—baobabs often hollow out internally and lack clear annual rings. Scientists therefore rely on Radiocarbon dating of wood samples taken from inner cavities.

In a landmark 2011 study, researchers from Babeş‑Bolyai University and collaborators analysed the Platland tree’s stems. Stem I was dated at approximately 750 ± 75 years, while stem II yielded 1,060 ± 75 years. The complex branching hinted that one stem had fused into another some four centuries ago (BioMed Central). Yet anecdotal claims placed the tree’s age at 6,000 years, likely reflecting an over‑interpretation of local lore and older sampling results (My Modern Met).

Whether millennia or simply a millennium old, the tree stood as a monument: a living vessel of centuries of fire, wildlife, travel, and human cultural imprint.

Birth of the Tree Bar: From Hollow to Hangout

In 1993, owners Doug and Heather van Heerden transformed the tree’s interior into a pub and wine cellar. After clearing away compacted organic matter to reveal a floor roughly one metre below ground, they built a rustic bar inside the larger hollow, complete with wooden benches, draft beer, lighting, a music setup, shelves of memorabilia—and even a dart game on the interior wall. A secondary hollow became a wine cellar held at around 22 °C, courtesy of the tree’s natural ventilation (Wikipedia).

With ceilings soaring to some 13 ft (approximately 4 m), the interior could comfortably seat about 15 people. At times, up to 40 or even 60 attendees crammed inside for special events—testament to both the tree’s size and the owners’ convivial spirit (Earthly Mission).

💳 Why Did the Pound Weaken Sharply Against the Euro in July 2025?

Published: 25 July 2025  |  By: International Desk, 100NEWS.TV

💱 Live rate via Wise.com: 1 GBP = 1.1442 EUR (as of 25 July 2025)
Net received after sending 100 GBP: 113.57 EUR (includes £0.74 fee)
Effective exchange rate incl. fees: 1.1357 EUR per GBP

1. Diverging Interest Rate Expectations

The Bank of England signalled potential rate cuts due to signs of economic slowdown, while the European Central Bank paused its cycle, favouring the Euro. Markets are pricing in up to two UK rate cuts by year-end, undermining Sterling's appeal.

2. Weak UK Economic Data

Recent GDP and retail sales figures disappointed markets. PMI reports showed softening private sector output and rising unemployment, all pointing to weakening domestic demand and low investor confidence in the UK outlook.

3. Fiscal Uncertainty and Stagflation Fears

Analysts warn that the UK may face stagflation—stagnant growth with persistent inflation. Concerns around potential tax increases and high public debt have also weakened Sterling sentiment.

4. Safe-Haven Preference for the Euro

While the UK outlook dims, the Euro has attracted capital inflows due to relatively stable economic performance and perceived resilience within the euro area, especially in light of geopolitical risk hedging.

5. Market Sentiment and Technical Levels

Currency strategists cited downward technical momentum. Institutions like BNP Paribas targeted 1.1430 as a near-term floor for GBP/EUR, which aligns with current trading levels.

📈 Summary Table

• Start of period: 1 GBP ≈ 1.17 EUR
• End of period: 1 GBP ≈ 1.1442 EUR
• Key driver: BoE rate expectations
• Other factors: weak GDP, low retail sales, Euro stability

Sources: Reuters, Bloomberg, The Guardian, ECB, Bank of England, MarketPulse, CurrencyNews UK
Chart powered by Chart.js – based on public rate data from Wise.com (June–July 2025).

 

BOSS Award 2025 Innovator of the Year in Women Leadership Awarded to Kelly Kingston, Australia

Kelly Kingston, Australia
Founder & Director of Happy and Well ® and Women of Wisdom Collective (WOW)
Transformational Educator | Author | International Business Strategist

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Honouring a Trailblazer in Women’s Empowerment and Transformational Leadership

The BOSS Award 2025 for Innovator of the Year in the Women Leadership Sector is proudly awarded to Kelly Kingston, an Australian visionary whose bold work has redefined what it means to lead, heal, and rise as a woman in the modern world.

As the founder of two life-changing global platforms — Happy and Well ® and the Women of Wisdom Collective (WOW) — Kelly has become a beacon of feminine leadership, self-healing, and holistic success. She stands not just as an entrepreneur but as a catalyst for transformation, creating ecosystems where women can thrive personally, spiritually, and professionally.

Women Noble Prize 2025 Awarded to Dr. Tetiana Moskalenko, Ukraine

Director of the Perinatal Care Center at Municipal Clinical Hospital No.10, Odesa, Ukraine
Doctor of Medical Sciences | Professor | Master of Public Administration | Honored Doctor of Ukraine

Celebrating a Woman Whose Mission Is to Heal the World

In 2025, the Women Noble Prize is proudly awarded to Dr. Tetiana Moskalenko, a distinguished healthcare leader whose commitment to medicine, humanity, and reform has saved lives, shaped systems, and brought hope to thousands in one of the most challenging humanitarian contexts of our time.

Awarded for her outstanding contribution to Sustainable Development Goal No. 3 — “Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages” — Dr. Moskalenko stands as a symbol of what visionary leadership in healthcare looks like in the 21st century.

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Dr. Tetiana Moskalenko’s professional journey began at the intersection of science, compassion, and public duty. As a Doctor of Medical Sciences, Professor, and Honoured Doctor of Ukraine, she has long been recognised for her clinical brilliance and academic integrity. Yet, it is her moral clarity and systemic courage that distinguish her. She is not only a medical expert but a transformational force — a woman who has consistently chosen to rise to the challenge when others looked away.

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Transforming Lives, Systems, and Futures

As the Director of the Perinatal Care Center at Odesa’s Municipal Clinical Hospital No.10, Dr. Moskalenko has led with a clear purpose: to build a healthcare system that is both scientifically advanced and fundamentally humane. Her work is grounded in the belief that every human life — from the earliest stages to the most vulnerable moments — deserves dignity, protection, and care.

Her impact includes:

• Global Maternal Health Leadership - Launching international initiatives for safe motherhood, reproductive health, and women’s health rights in conflict and post-conflict zones.
• Mental Health & Resilience Programmes - Introducing holistic support systems for both patients and healthcare providers, recognising the emotional toll of crisis healthcare work, especially during war.

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A Beacon of Hope in Wartime Ukraine

When Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine began, Dr. Moskalenko transformed from a healthcare strategist into a frontline humanitarian leader. Under fire, she did not retreat — she mobilised.

She organised:

• Emergency mobile clinics for displaced families
• Cross-border medical collaborations to bring aid and expertise to the most affected regions
• Advocacy campaigns to keep global attention focused on the war’s health impacts

Through every challenge, her name became synonymous with resilience, leadership, and healing. She became the voice not only of her hospital — but of a wounded nation’s will to survive.

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Mentor. Educator. System Builder.

Dr. Moskalenko’s mission extends beyond immediate care. She is an educator of the next generation, designing programs that integrate cutting-edge science with moral responsibility. Her graduates are not just doctors — they are change agents.

She has mentored hundreds of young professionals, particularly women, guiding them to lead with compassion, knowledge, and ethical strength in the most trying environments.

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Global Voice. Local Hero. Universal Impact.

Dr. Moskalenko is a frequent speaker on international platforms, where she advocates for health equity, medical diplomacy, and sustainable healthcare reform.

Her message is simple, yet urgent:

"Healthcare is not a privilege. It is a human right.
And when the system fails — we must be brave enough to build a new one."

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Why She Was Chosen

The Women Noble Prize 2025 recognises more than achievement — it honours vision, legacy, and moral courage. Dr. Tetiana Moskalenko represents all three.

In her:

• We see the future of medicine — rooted in equity, compassion, and evidence-based innovation.
• We see a new standard of leadership — strong, empathetic, and unafraid to confront injustice.
• We see a woman whose life’s work is not only to treat illness, but to heal society.

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A Legacy of Healing

The story of Dr. Tetiana Moskalenko is a story of the power of one woman to change the lives of many — not by force, but by care; not by fame, but by integrity.

As the 2025 recipient of the Women Noble Prize, she stands tall among the most exceptional women in the world — a symbol of what medicine, humanity, and feminine leadership can achieve together.

BOSS Award 2025 Innovator of the Year in the Public Sector Awarded to Lyudmyla Stanislavlenko, Ukraine

Politician | Public Leader | Philanthropist | Founder of the Lyudmyla Stanislavlenko Charitable Foundation | Head of the Supreme Council, World Woman Club International

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Celebrating a Public Visionary Who Transforms Compassion Into Policy and Action

The BOSS Award 2025 for Innovator of the Year in the Public Sector is proudly awarded to Lyudmyla Stanislavlenko, a distinguished Ukrainian leader whose work at the intersection of public service, civil society, and women’s empowerment has redefined the role of innovation in governance and social impact.

This prestigious recognition, presented at the 25th Anniversary Global Business Week, celebrates her bold, people-centred approach to public innovation — one that combines political strategy, humanitarian action, and a deep commitment to social equity.

Elena Chirich: What I learned about education after 2 Masters, a PhD, 2 career shifts, and running an international school

I’ve always loved learning. It’s one of the things that brings me real joy. If I ever get a spare moment, chances are I’ll be reading, researching, or diving into something new.

Transforming the next generation into leaders, creators, and changemakers through real-world entrepreneurship education| Franchisee Owner & Director, MiniBoss Business School Australia, BigBoss Business School Australia, Leonardo Art School, and International Successful Women's Club.    

I studied continuously for over 20 years, starting from school, through a Bachelor’s, Master’s and a PhD at one university, and then a second Master’s at QUT after moving to Australia 25 years ago. These days I’m less interested in collecting formal qualifications, but I’ve still taken short courses in neuropsychology and child psychology, and I use AI almost daily to explore new ideas and dig deeper into the things I care about.