Healing Power of Nature is a South African television documentary series created by Mafisa Media in conjunction with African Renaissance Productions which documents the phenomenon of biophilia, or ways in which nature can heal people.
The series aired on SABC3 from 6 August, 2006 to 31 August, 2008, on Sundays at 18h00. There are 26 half-hour episodes in two seasons.
See "Seasons" below for seasonal broadcast dates and times.
Synopsis
There is a theory that we have a human instinct to conserve nature. But more often than not, it is we who are nurtured and healed by wilderness – a phenomenon called biophilia. Why is this?
This is the question explored in Healing Power of Nature - a series of South African films about the ways in which nature can heal people.
Johnny Appels, who is the subject of the first film entitled The Last Strandloper, is one of the people it's deeply effected. Jonny lives and fishes in Arniston and regained his freedom through his connection with the sea after a stint in jail.
Another is Craig Bovim who experienced that humans are part of the food chain when he was attacked by a Great White shark four years ago.
Also featured in the series are the inmates of Pollsmoor in Cape Town, who have found they can voel vry (feel free) by rearing budgies in prison and 11-year-old Prenessa who was left unable to walk or talk after suffering from bronchial pneumonia as a baby.
The stories are filmed in locations across Southern Africa and consider many different groups of people and individuals, all of whom are using their contact with South Africa’s wilderness and its wildlife to help preserve it for future generations – and to heal themselves in the process.
Seasons
(Both seasons aired exclusively on SABC3 on Sundays at 18h00. Each consists of 13 episodes.)
Season 1
Premiere: 6 August 2006 | Finale: 29 October 2006
Season 2
Premiere: 4 May 2008 | Finale: 31 August 2008