Thanks to conservation conscious supporters like you, WESSA was able to successfully re-introduce 4 giraffes to our uMngeni Valley Nature Reserve recently.
The giraffes – donated by Karkloof Safari Spa, were transported safely and released into their new home by a professional team from WESSA and partner organisations. As you can see, it took careful planning, commitment and considerable muscle power!
Seeing these magnificent creatures roaming in what, decades ago, was their natural environment, is a triumph for conservation. They will play an important role in helping to balance the eco-system and preserve bio-diversity in the area.
But we need to do more to protect and conserve our beautiful and unique wildlife and habitats. And that’s why we’re hoping you’ll make your own commitment to conservation by supporting us with a regular monthly contribution.
You can become a champion for nature from as little as R150 monthly. The more you give, the more we can achieve together.
Your contribution makes you part of the WESSA team, there with us in spirit as we take further, meaningful action to restore natural areas like the uMngeni Valley Nature Reserve.
Become our partner in caring for the earth.
“The reintroduction of giraffes at WESSA’s uMngeni Valley Nature Reserve is a testament to our dedication to conserving biodiversity and wildlife, ensuring the sustainability of our natural heritage.
We look forward to observing their behaviour and the ecological benefits they will bring to our ecosystem.”
WESSA is strongly engaging in the Climate Change space, as we seek to Educate, Advocate and Act on Climate Action. Last Saturday, the SA Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA), WWF-SA and WESSA partnered to bring South African youth from all around the country together, to develop a call to our political leaders for climate change action and a just transition. Gathered at venues in Durban, Cape Town and Johannesburg, as well as a strong contingent of virtual participants, our youth discussed debated and developed a statement of recommendations for the South African government delegation to negotiate towards at COP27. Read the COP27 National Youth Statement handed to Minister for the Environment, Minister Barbara Crecy, on Monday.
SAIIA has generously shared a COP27 access pass with WESSA, allowing us entry to observe the 2nd week of the state negotiation sessions (Blue Zone) at COP27. We are honoured and excited to be representing our organisation, our members and citizens at this global meeting for climate action. WESSA did consider the human rights situation in Egypt in making this decision. WESSA’s Strategic Lead: Advocacy, Morgan Griffiths, has been tasked with representing us. Morgan has previously represented WESSA at the 2016 IUCN World Conservation Congress, where he co-led a session on Human Capacity Development in the Biodiversity Sector. The primary objectives of WESSA attending COP27 are to gain experience and deeper understanding of the COP event and its processes; and networking in the climate action space. Morgan will also attend events in the Green Zone, where many civil society dialogues and advocacy engagements take place.
As can be expected, our participation at COP27 will incur dollar costs, and WESSA is asking for financial contributions to support our attendance there.
WESSA has praised the proposed White Paper on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of South Africa’s Biodiversity. To read our submission of comments, amendment suggestions and concerns with this proposed legislation, please see LINK.
WESSA, in partnership with South32 Hillside Aluminium Smelter in Richard’s Bay launched a youth development project in the King Cetshwayo District (KCD) Municipality on the 21 st of January 2022. This project was conceptualised in response to the high youth unemployment rate in the district coupled with the food insecurity challenges.
The project will employ 20 youth across the KCD municipality to establish, manage and grow four (4) nature-positive agri-businesses which will ultimately improve the local economy of their communities. South32 will finance the project for two years which enables WESSA to give the youth the tools and platforms to establish themselves in the local, regional and national agriculture sector.
Starting the project, these 20-youth realised that they can become ambassadors for a movement of generations of potential farmers and businesses that can drive the economy and betterment of their communities.
Throughout the 2 years of the project they will sharpen their existing skills and competencies to set- up and successfully manage their agri-businesses, business training and paired with businesses currently in the sector to mentor them.
This project shows the commitment of South32 to the communities they operate in, and WESSA, as an enabler for capacity development and sustainable livelihoods. One youth member starting this project expressed that ‘the main reason we have this kind of learnership is to eradicate unemployment and poverty! We are committed to the success of this learnership, and for our work to continue for generations to come. We want to be history makers; when people talk about Eco- Hubs in our local communities, we want our names to be engraved so that everybody will know that this started with us in our community.”
This strategic partnership is aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
