Oct 19, 2018 | Archives
Led by Teach A Man To Fish in collaboration with WESSA and BWDT the Entrepreneurial and Environmental Empowerment for South African Youth (EEESAY) programme is made possible with funding from the European Union Delegation to South Africa. This milestone endeavour is producing promising young entrepreneurs in three of the poorest districts in rural areas of KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape.
The practical business skills provided through workshops and field visits has enabled enterprising young people to plan, set up and lead businesses such as tuck-shops, creative arts ventures, fast food preparation and service enterprises that include hiring out calculators and running a car wash. While profits are modest at the moment, business-savvy learners are investing their profits in new stock and expanding their businesses.
On the 12th October, Cathcart High School hosted the 2018 annual Eastern Cape networking and celebration event for participating schools in the Chris Hani and Amathole districts, where a number of prizes were awarded. Finding novel ways to manage waste earned Cathcart High School the Environmental Award, and Sobantu High School earned their Best Up and Coming Business Award through by finding creative ways to set a business in a rural area. Vuselela High School earned the Best Business Plan with their in-depth planning and Byletts High School won the Business Portfolio Prize that celebrates the increase in confidence, team working and problem-solving of learners. Three other schools are awarded with special commendations for the tuckshop businesses; WB Rubusana Senior Secondary School, Phakamani Senior Secondary School and Fundani High School.
On the 19th October, the 2018 annual KwaZulu-Natal networking and celebration event took place in Ladysmith for participating schools in the uThukela and Amajuba districts, where a number of prizes were awarded. The Business Development Prize for their diverse range of products was awarded to Amazulu High School. Three schools – Tshanibezwe High School, Phendukani Full Service High School and Endakane High School were each recognised with a Best Up and Coming Business award, and two schools, Indonsa High School and Mana High School received Special Achievement awards.
In its second year running, the EEESAY Programme has been an outstanding success by providing step-by-step experiential learning to learners where they have identified business opportunities, applied sound business planning, and implemented robust business plans to generate profit. Schools can invest the profits to develop both the school and school business. At the same time it is a great opportunity for teachers to continue their own professional development. At a time when South African youth need it most, the EEESAY programme is addressing the much needed entrepreneurial and technical skills in order to achieve sustainable development.
Since the start of the project most of the catering and refreshments provided to participants is done through a school business, and all of the food and drinks at the annual networking and celebration event was provided by various school businesses. Two of the schools have received external accolades; Cathcart High School won the Best Business Idea in the School Enterprise Challenge awards and Amazulu High School was awarded 1st Runner Up in the Eskom Youth Entrepreneurial competition.
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The Teach A Man to Fish Programme Manager, WESSA Programme Manager, and award winners are available for radio and television interviews.
Susannah Morcowitz, Teach A Man to Fish EEESAY Programmes, Monitoring and Evaluation Manager
Email susannah@teachamantofish.org.uk or cell 079 859 6870
Sue Spies, WESSA Schools Entrepreneurship Programme Manager
Email sue.spies@wessa.co.za or cell 082 663 6692
Images and captions:
Eastern Cape
Image 1: Schools from both districts came to the networking and celebration event held at Cathcart High School
Image 2: All the catering at the event was planned, prepared and delivered by learners from schools that have catering enterprises as their school business
Image 3: The learners at Cathcart High School learning in action
Image 4: seven schools were recognised at the EC Networking and Celebration event for their entrepreneurial endeavours
Kwa-Zulu Natal
Image 1:
Amazulu High School Business team, a school from Amajuba District in Madadeni, Newcastle with three supporting teachers Ms Ndwandwe, Mr Dlalisa and Mrs Maseko; learners and DoE representatives from Amajuba (Mr Ntuli) and Uthukela Districts, Miss Phumzile Hlophe.
Image 2:
Phendukani Full Service High School Business team, a school from Amajuba District in Madadeni, Newcastle with their lead teacher Miss Tshabalala, Mr Ntuli from DoE Amajuba District and Miss Hlophe Uthukela District. Phendukani Full Service High School won a prize for Up and Coming Business Category
Image 3:
Endakane High School Business Team, a school from Uthukela District in Ezakheni in Ladysmith with supporting teachers; Mr Manyoni and Mr Zondo and DoE representatives Mr Ntuli and Miss Hlophe. Endakane High School won a prize for Up and Coming Business Category
Image 4:
Tshanibezwe High School Business Team, a school from Uthukela District in Kwa-Dukuza, Bergville with supporting teachers Mr Maphalala and Mr Hlatshwayo and DoE representatives Mr Ntuli and Miss Hlophe. Tshanibezwe High School won a prize for Up and Coming Business Category
Image 5:
Mana High School Business team, a school from Amajuba District, in Annieveile Newcastle with supporting teachers Miss Sibisi and Mr Luvuno along with DoE representatives Mr Ntuli NS Miss Hlophe. Mana High School won a prize for Special Commendation
MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE GO TO:
www.wessa.org.za
www.teachamantofish.org.za
www.schoolenterprisechallenge.org
Oct 13, 2018 | Archives
66 Blue Flags will be proudly flown at 46 beaches, 8 marinas and by 12 sustainable tourism boats around South Africa over the forthcoming 2018/19 South African Blue Flag season, which opens officially on the 1st of November 2018. This was announced at the National WESSA Blue Flag launch hosted by the Mossel Bay Municipality at Santos Beach, Mossel Bay, in the Western Cape on the 12th October 2018.
The Western Cape has achieved the highest number of Blue Flag sites, with 30 beaches, 12 boats and seven of the eight Blue Flag marinas. The Eastern Cape has been awarded one Blue Flag Marina site, and retained their seven beaches. Kwa-Zulu Natal has been awarded nine Blue Flag beaches.
The Blue Flag programme also allows for potential Blue Flag sites to participate in the Pilot Programme. This year 24 beaches across three provinces have been awarded Pilot status and throughout the 2018/19 Blue Flag season, WESSA will work with beach managers and Tourism Blue Flag Beach Stewards from these Pilot beaches, towards the longer-term goal of achieving full Blue Flag status.
Speaking at the event, The National Department of Tourisms’, Director of Programme Planning & Implementation, Ms Patience Molokoza said, “Through programmes like the Tourism Blue Flag Beach Stewards that is implemented by WESSA, we can address the issue of South Africa’s youth unemployment. This programme is meant to capacitate the youth and provide skills training and development. Programmes like these would not be possible if it were not for partnerships with municipalities.
She also went on to say, “The Blue Flag project has a number of highlights, we have managed to educate and train more than 14000 people over a period of two years and we applaud WESSA for their involvement in this programme.”
Vincent Shacks, General Manager of the Ecotourism unit noted that the municipalities, marinas and boat operators who have achieved the prestigious Blue Flag award today are our sustainable tourism champions and all South Africans should be proud of these achievements. Blue Flag is a voluntary eco-label, so all of the effort and funding that is put into improving these sites is done in the interest of those using them. We are especially inspired by those sites where municipalities, the business sector and local residents are all working together to maintain this standard of excellence”
Since its launch in 1987, the Blue Flag Programme has continued to grow, not only regarding the number of member countries and sites involved, but also in its range of expertise within marine and freshwater environments. WESSA is proud to be the national implementing partner for Blue Flag in South Africa since 2001.
In his opening address, Deputy Mayor Councillor Dirk Kotzé said,
“As the town of Mossel bay, we are honoured to host the launch of the new Blue Flag season and as the Mossel bay council, we see the importance of local tourists and we try to keep our facilities in good condition to welcome tourists to our shores during the summer seasons. We always try to maintain our facilities and one of our top priorities to maintain our Blue Flag status because it is a well-respected award that takes educational, environmental and cultural value of the beach into account, ensuring that each Blue Flag beach is not only beautiful and safe, but also environmentally friendly and socially responsible.”
View the full list of 2018/19 Blue Flag Beaches, Boats and Marinas
Links to images:
Image 1: Clr Dirk Kotze – Mossel Bay Executive Deputy Mayor, Ms Patience Molokoza – National Department of Tourism, Dr Thommie Burger – WESSA CEO at the Blue Flag flag raising ceremony.
Image 2: (L-R) City of Cape Town, Safety and Security portfolio committee Chairman – Mr Mzwakhe Nqavashe, Mossel Bay Community Services Manager – Mr Niklaas Booisen, Mossel Bay Executive Deputy Mayor – Clr Dirk Kotze, Director of Programme Planning & Implementation, National Department of Tourism – Ms Patience Molokoza, WESSA Board Member – Ms Nontobeko Sibisi, WESSA CEO – Dr Thommie Burger, Wilderness Municipality Representative – Ms R Ruyters
Image 3: Tourism Blue Flag Stewards from Santos Beach in Mossel Bay with Clr Dirk Kotze, Patience Molokoza and Dr Thommie Burger.
About WESSA Blue Flag:
The WESSA Blue Flag Programme, now in its 31st year, is focused on the conservation of marine and coastal habitats, and is designed to raise environmental education and awareness, and increase sound environmental practices among tourists, local populations and beach management.
To achieve Blue Flag status, as many as 33 different criteria spanning over four aspects of coastal management must be met and maintained: water quality, environmental education and information, environmental management, and safety and services. Each Blue Flag site is compelled to conduct several environmental education activities during the year, and to practise effective and efficient conservation management.
In South Africa, the Blue Flag programme is managed by WESSA and participating coastal municipalities. In the Southern Hemisphere, the Blue Flag season runs from 1 November to 31 October each year. Beaches are required to apply for Blue Flag status each year and the Blue Flag standards are only enforced at the beaches over the participating beach’s stated season, which varies from just two months of the year to the full 12 months.
The WESSA Blue Flag Programme is operated under the auspices of the Foundation for Environmental Education and is headquartered in Copenhagen, Denmark. The criteria are set by the international coordinators of the Blue Flag campaign in Europe, the FEE (Foundation for Environmental Education). Through close collaboration with their members on all issues, the Foundation for Environmental Education works to ensure the programme’s expansion, and that the unrivalled standards of the Blue Flag are maintained internationally. The detailed criteria and award process is available on Blue Flag’s international website www.blueflag.global
Contact:
WESSA GENERAL MANGER
Vincent Shacks
+27 (0)82 337 1273
vincent.shacks@wessa.co.za
Sep 17, 2018 | Archives
An exciting partnership between the Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa (WESSA) and the Radisson Hotel Group has resulted in the Radisson RED hotel in Cape Town being awarded with Green Key status. The Green Key award is a leading standard of excellence in the field of environmental responsibility and sustainable operations in the tourism industry.
The Radisson RED brand has been described as one that represents “a new hotel philosophy that connects with an ageless millennial mindset through art, music and fashion.” WESSA, with its continual focus on youth development, is proud to be associated with this vibrant and dynamic hospitality brand. The Radisson RED in Cape Town is one of only five of its kind in the world, with the other four hotels located in Brussels, Campinas, Glasgow and Minneapolis.
Commenting on the Green Key award, Vince Shacks, General Manager of Ecotourism at WESSA said “Green Key is not only one of the most reputable and established sustainable tourism awards on the globe, but is also an excellent platform to align the work of responsible hospitality brands and NGO’s”. The Radisson Hotel Group recently highlighted in their 2017 Responsible Business Report that with 220 awarded hotels around the globe, Green Key is the main eco-label partner of the company.
On receiving the award, Dale Simpson, Curator of the Radisson RED in Cape Town said “We are very proud to have achieved the Green key accreditation here at Radisson RED within our first year of operation. It has been a wonderful learning journey driven by the team, and it was humble to see the passion, drive and continuous commitment from the team here to achieve something we really believe in and work with every day.”
Green Key currently has 2900 awarded properties in 57 countries around the world. This prestigious eco-label represents a commitment by businesses that their premises adhere to the strict criteria set by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE), the same organization that oversees the popular Blue Flag beach eco-label.
It is WESSA’s vision to grow the Green Key label throughout South Africa, and together with other reputable eco-labels, ensure that South Africa becomes one of the most recognised sustainable tourism destinations in the world.
Ends.
For more information contact:
Vince Shacks
General Manager: Ecotourism Unit
Tel +27(0)82 337 1273
Email: vincent.shacks@wessa.co.za
www.wessa.org.za
Image 1: Vincent Shacks (WESSA) hands over the Green Key award to Dale Simpson (Radisson RED Curator)
Image 2: Radisson RED staff celebrate their Green Award with the hotels “Green” mascot.
Sep 17, 2018 | Archives
15 September 2018
WESSA (the Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa) paid tribute to a wide range of outstanding environmental achievements with the presentation of the organisation’s Annual Awards. These Awards were presented at the organisation’s 92nd AGM, which was hosted by WESSA’s Eastern Cape membership branch at Cape Recife near Port Elizabeth on Saturday 15 September 2018.
The WESSA Awards, which have been presented since 1974, enable WESSA to recognise and honour those who have made a significant contribution to the environmental conservation or environmental education sector in South Africa over the past year in an exceptional and sustained manner.
The WESSA Individual Award was presented to Duncan Paul, the WESSA Group Award recipient was the Friends of Blaauwberg Conservancy Area and the WESSA Award for Corporates was awarded to eThekwini Municipality and Nampak Plc.
WESSA also played tribute to Mavuso Msimang, who was awarded the prestigious WESSA Gold Award for his extraordinary contribution to the transformation of the environmental and conservation sector over the past 30 years.
Grade 10 learner, Dikgang Atlegang of Lebone II College of the Royal Bafokeng in Rustenburg was awarded the WESSA Youth Award.
In addition to the awards ceremony, the programme at the celebratory event was aptly structured around the theme of Local Initiatives for the Environment. Dr Andrew Muir, Chief Executive Officer of the Wilderness Foundation delivered the key note address. He spoke about the biodiversity characteristics of the Algoa Bay area, and in particular noted that the Eastern Cape is the top region in the world for its biodiversity. The Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality holds the accolade of being the only city in Africa with 5 biomes.
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AWARDS AND FULL CITATIONS:
Gold Award
Mavuso Msimang
In recognition of his long-term vision and commitment to improve the natural and social environments for South Africa and it’s peoples. For more than 30 years, he has consistently displayed commitment to issues of South African environmental conservation and transformation.
WESSA Award for Individuals
Presented to Duncan Paul
In recognition of his many years of hard work and significant financial support and provision of resources for the combatting of rhino poaching in the Hluhluwe iMfolozi Park. This was through the set-up of a K9 unit in the reserve where tracker dogs have proved to be an essential tool to fight wildlife crime by tracking down poachers, detecting wildlife products and recovering illegal weapons and ammunition. WESSA acknowledges his sustained track-record of promoting and securing environmental well-being. We salute his enthusiasm and significant contributions to conservation and ‘Caring for the Earth’.
WESSA Award for Groups
Friends of Blaauwberg Conservancy Area
Under the leadership of Roy Fuller-Gee, this award acknowledges the FoBCA for their enthusiasm, stewardship, network, influence and resilience which created numerous conservation projects in the reserve. We recognise their role in the establishment of the Blaauwberg Nature Reserve, which includes the establishment of the coastal dune trail, the establishment of a CREW team for the area, the ongoing clearing of invasive species from the reserve and their vigilance in the protection of the heritage value of the property and land.
WESSA Award for Corporates
(Two 2018 recipients)
eThekwini Municipality
In recognition of their commitment to ecosystems restoration and rehabilitation. WESSA acknowledges the highly acclaimed Working for Ecosystems Programme of eThekwini, which has restored ecological integrity and resilience of ecosystems through the control of alien plants. The success of this programme has ensured the protection and preservation of our natural biodiversity, whilst supporting the sustainable development of SMME’s, job creation and community development.
Nampak
In recognition of their commitment to environmental education particularly relating to waste management and the implementation of recycling projects in South African schools. They have displayed a sustained commitment and responsibility to manage and mitigate impact by their significant investment into the development of sustainable products.
WESSA Award for Youth
Atlegang Dikgang
In recognition of his actions as a key initiator responsible for the Paper4Bread Campaign in the Rustenburg region of North West Province. His project has had a profound impact on the school and local community. WESSA acknowledges him as an enthusiastic and thoughtful young leader who has, through his actions had a national impact on waste management. He is an inspiration to all youth of South Africa and we are proud to associate ourselves with him. He is a young environmental leader, and genuine in his commitment to ‘Caring for the Earth’.
Image 1: Atlegang Dikgang – Youth Award winner
Image 2: Mavuso Msimang – Gold Award winner
Image 3: Roy Fuller-Gee – Friends of Blaauwberg Conservancy – Group winner
Image 4: Duncan Paul – Individual Award winner
Image 5: Bheka Nxele of eThekwini Municipality – Corporate Award winner
Image 6: WESSA CEO Dr Thommie Burger, WESSA Chairman Professor Michael Kidd and award winners
Sep 14, 2018 | Archives
The Blaauwberg Nature Reserve was awarded the first WESSA Green Coast award in South Africa. The launch that took place on Friday the 14th of September saw the Friends of Blaauwberg Conservation Area (BCA) receive their WESSA Green Coast award. The Friends of BCA and the City of Cape Town is the implementing partner and have ensured that the Blaauwberg Nature Reserve have met all the WESSA Green Coast criteria.
Blaauwberg Nature Reserve was proclaimed a local and provincial nature reserve in 2007. The reserve has a spectacular view down fynbos slopes, across the city, to seven kilometres of rocky and sandy coastline and the ocean and beyond. The reserve presents itself as one of the few viewpoints in the world from where you can see two proclaimed world heritage sites, namely Table Mountain and Robben Island. The reserve effectively conserves critically endangered fauna and flora species, one of which is the African Black Oyster catcher.
According to Rob Slater, WESSA National Coastal Coordinator: “The Blaauwberg Nature Reserve has shown ongoing commitment to conserving and monitoring its sensitive coastal areas and maintained a high standard set out by the WESSA Green Coast criteria.”
The WESSA Green Coast award aims to actively promote sensitive beaches along the South African coastline. The Green Coast Award was created to challenge local government to manage their sensitive coastal sites more effectively and to promote citizen science. Green Coast sites aim to protect one of three main coastal themes namely; sensitive habitats, species and cultural heritage. Green Coast sites appeal to a specific sector of the tourism market who are looking for experiences in adventure, outdoor living and nature tourism along our coastline. The Green Coast award assists these sites by putting them on the tourism map and promoting them all under one tourism standard.
By achieving Green Coast status, Blaauwberg has provided a system for sustainable management of its sensitive coastal space as well as to engaged local citizens to become involved in management of this unique site.
In his keynote address, Councillor Brett Herron, the City of Cape Town’s Mayoral Committee Member for Transport and Urban Development said,
“It is an amazing honour for the City of Cape Town’s Blaauwberg Nature Reserve to receive the first Green Coast Status Award in the country.
We want to thank WESSA for recognising the hard work, effort and passion of people in our Environmental Management Department and the Friends of Blaauwberg Conservation Area organisation, who is partnering with us in this area.
As the most biodiverse city in the world, we have a responsibility to conserve and protect this unique biodiversity. But we cannot do it alone. Valuable partnerships with local communities and organisations enable us to sustainably manage our precious fauna and flora while also providing opportunities for environmental education, sustainable tourism and the empowerment of local communities.”
WESSA continues to work towards effectively conserving and monitoring the South African coastline through incentivising sustainable tourism practises and conservation efforts.
For more information contact:
Rob Slater, National Coastal Coordinator – Robert.slater@wessa.org.za
Image 1: Councillor Brett Herron giving the key note address
Image 2: official WESSA Green Coast flag hand over
Image 3: WESSA Green Coast flag.
Jun 6, 2018 | Archives
The EEESAY project, led by Teach A Man To Fish in collaboration with WESSA and the Business World Development Trust (BWDT) made possible with generous funding from the European Union, won Gold in the Green Economy Category at the Eco-Logic Awards, held on the 5th of June.
This innovative project, which takes place in two districts each in KZN and the Eastern Cape, supports high schools to set up a sustainable and environmentally friendly businesses that are run by the learners. The experience learners gain through their business endeavours will either support their academic progress both in school and into the future, and/or enable learners to gain the knowledge and skills needed to set up their own business. The trophy is doing the rounds to the different schools – last week it was with some of the learners from Sobantu High School near Peddie.
The Green Economy Award is presented to a business organisation that provides a product , service or programme that supports the growth of the Green Economy in South Africa.
The Eco-Logic Awards identify individuals, organisations and communities that positively contribute towards a sustainable world – and we encourage consumers to support them by purchasing their products and services.
Contact:
Sue Spies
Programme Manager: Schools Entrepreneurship Initiatives
Email:Sue.spies@wessa.co.za
