In Tanzania, small-scale tomato farmers like Tabia Omari and Rajab Hassan are facing increased pest problems, particularly from the Tuta absoluta moth, leading to excessive pesticide use. This practice is harming biodiversity and imposing economic burdens due to high costs. The Tanzania Plant Health and Pesticides Authority has banned certain pesticides and is monitoring imports, while Sokoine University of Agriculture is promoting alternative pest control methods. The situation highlights the tension between food security and environmental preservation, with the 2022 Living Planet Report showing a 69 percent decline in global biodiversity since 1970.

Obusitswe Seage, an aspiring artist in the small town of Orange Grove, Johannesburg, dreams of making it big in the arts and culture world. He is well-known locally and is mentored by Dr. Myer Taub, a lecturer at the University of the Witwatersrand. The town contrasts with nearby Maboneng, which has undergone gentrification and become a hub for the art scene. Despite the challenges of urbanization and competition, artists like Seage and photographer Sandile Mdlalose find ways to express themselves and earn a living. Nondumiso Sithole, a community development manager at the Johannesburg Theatre, supports the growth of the arts scene, though she doesn't consider Johannesburg her home. The creative economy in South Africa is significant, but many artists still struggle financially. Seage finds solace in his art and the ungentrified spaces of Orange Grove.

Faraja Mwikongi, an artist specializing in colour painting, discussed her passion for painting, the challenges she faces, and her aspirations in an interview with Matukiolive media. She prefers colour painting due to its cultural significance and visual appeal. Faraja finds joy in the positive reactions to her work and recalls discovering her talent in secondary school while assisting teachers with drawings. Despite facing market challenges and criticism, she views these as learning opportunities. She fondly remembers painting for her parents, which brought her immense happiness. Faraja admires Masoud Kipanya and aims to become a painting instructor, particularly to help children discover their talents at a young age.