Celebrating 85 Years Of Caring For The Earth
WESSA is proud to be one of South Africa 's oldest and largest membership-based NGO's. 2011 marks our 85th birthday - that is, 85 years of proactive engagement with the challenges and opportunities presented by South Africa 's unique natural heritage and the social and economic systems that depend on it. WESSA invites you to join us in celebrating this great milestone. We have three big events planned in the latter part of the year, as well as smaller regional events across the country.
WESSA'S CONCERT FOR CONSERVATION 2011: 24 September, White River
In response to the constant need for funding for conservation in the area, WESSA's Lowveld Region will launch the annual Concert for Conservation this year. The vision of this event is to raise funds for, as well as awareness and public involvement in, a chosen environmental need each year. This year's Concert for Conservation will raise funds for WESSA's Rhino Initiative, which seeks to combat the alarming rate of rhino poaching in South Africa in a bid to save this essential part of our natural heritage from extinction.
Freshly Ground, who needs little introduction to South African audiences, will provide for an amazing evening of fun and entertainment. Their already huge following was heightened further by their collaboration with Shakira on the World Cup anthem “Time for Africa ” in 2010.
The concert will be held at the Casterbridge Lifestyle Centre on Saturday 24 September 2011. Doors will open at 6.00pm. Tickets will be on sale from 1 August at R120 per person. For information, contact Tracey Russell on 076 702 3540 or tracey.j.russell@gmail.com.
The SAPPI & WESSA NORTHERN AREAS ART EXHIBITION AND AUCTION: 15 October, Johannesburg
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Leon Fouche
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Join WESSA at this prestigious black tie occasion, hosted by well-known radio and TV personality Simon Gear, to celebrate our 85th Birthday and raise funds for conservation in South Africa .
The stunning works of several renowned wildlife artists including David Johnson, Kim Donaldson, Fuz Caforio, Kobus Moller, Ilse de Villiers, Noel Smith, Ingrid & Leon Fouche, Sarah Richards, Peter Gray, Beth Kane, Elsa Cornelison, Linda Lemon, Edward vd Berg and Adriaan Boshoff, and sculptures by Sarah Richards will be on auction at the event, which hopes to raise funds for WESSA and for conservation in South Africa.
The gala dinner will be opened by Dr Richard Lewis, Chairman of WESSA, and the guest speaker is Dr John Ledger, long-time editor of African Wildlife Magazine and now the Environment Magazine. Tickets cost R400 per person, or R4000 per table of 10.
For those not able to attend the function, the art will be exhibited from 1:00pm to 5:00pm on the day of the event.
Please contact John Wesson: jwesson@wessanorth.co.za or 083 444 7649 for bookings or enquiries.
The WESSA 85th Birthday Gala Dinner: 24 September, Durban
The highlight of this year's birthday celebration will be the WESSA 85th Anniversary Gala Dinner, to be held at the ICC on Saturday 24 September 2011.
The evening will be hosted by Vuyo Mbuli, a leading South African TV personality, and will be loaded with exciting activities including a trip down memory lane, vibey speakers, the prestigious WESSA Awards and an extraordinary wildlife art auction featuring prominent South African artists. Join us as we enjoy great speakers, environmentally friendly wine from Vondeling in Cape Town , some surprise goodies and dancing the night away to the live music of Hot Water. Some of the honorary guests include Clem Sunter and Olivia Langhof (Greenpeace). You don't want to miss this high-profile event - book your seats now!
Contact Neero or Farmina: 031 312 6121 or info@logikalevents.co.za .
As part of the day's celebrations a group of cyclists will ride from uMngeni Valley Nature Reserve, the home of WESSA, in Howick to the ICC in Durban . The cyclists will be led by our WESSA/WWF Eco-Schools co-ordinator and author of the Blonde on a Bike books, Bridget Ringdahl. This event forms part of the Moving Planet campaign, a movement by 350degrees.com that calls for demonstrations of reduced transport carbon footprint as a worldwide rally to demand solutions to the climate crisis.
To be part of this fun event, contact Bridget at bridget@wessa.co.za.
WESSA acknowledges that it is the many collaborative partnerships that it forms which have led to the successes of WESSA and the environment sector as a whole, which is why we invite everyone to join us as we pledge that Together, we will leave a better legacy for future Generations!