Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa
WESSA (the Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa) is a truly South African non-government organisation (NGO) with a proud history in our country. For 85 years WESSA has proactively engaged with the challenges and opportunities presented by South Africa’s unique natural heritage and the social and economic systems that depend on it. As a membership-based organisation we have sought to “promote public participation in caring for the Earth” and to build capacity for conservation and sustainable development in a broad cross-section of South African society.
WESSA works to ensure environmental sustainability for current and future South African generations. We focus on the sustainable and equitable management of our natural resource base by building society’s environmental sensitivity and competence by calling to, and working with, communities and individuals to move from current to more sustainable action. Our mission to promote public participation in caring for the Earth is expressed in the diverse and dynamic collaborative partnerships that WESSA creates to enable its work. Working within the vital sectors of water, biodiversity, energy and waste, WESSA is a preferred project implementer nationally, regionally and internationally.
WESSA National Office experiencing communication challenges
This article appeared first in the Spring 2011 issue of Environment magazine .
Canzibe Primary Eco-School in Motherwell, Port Elizabeth, has been entered into the TOTAL’s Eco-pioneers competition, for their school vegetable garden project. The school was one of six sites selected nationally for the competition. The school has been sponsored by power and automation technology company ABB for the last six years. Canzibe is also the site where WESSA EP is rolling out its Stepping up to Sustainability Programme. Community permaculture gardens are being established through the Wonke Wonke Canzibe Permaculture Project and a disused classroom at the school is being converted into an environmental education centre, complete with solar geyser and rainwater tanks.
Visit TOTAL’s Eco-pioneers competition Facebook page to view a video about the project and to support the school with your vote. You will have to click on the ‘Like’ button at the top of this page, which will open up access to the site: http://www.facebook.com/TotalSouthAfrica?sk=app_227235727340272
Howick, 23 November 2011
The WESSA Share-Net project has won a prestigious award at the 2011 Eco-Logic Awards ceremony held at the Cape Town International Convention Centre on Saturday 19 November.
15 October 2011
It gives me great pleasure to be the current Chairman of WESSA as it celebrates its 85 th Birthday. What incredible endurance – borne primarily out of passion – a deep passion, and calling, of so many, over so many years. What incredible endurance – borne primarily out of passion – a deep passion, and calling, of so many, over so many years.
Cape Town, 21 October 2011
WESSA (the Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa) recently ran a short workshop on “Environmental issues and municipal decision making” for a group of Cape Town ward councillors appointed after the municipal elections held in May this year.
Our popular Members’ Evenings and Talks will resume in February 2012.
Details of the next event will be posted here shortly.
WESSA, in partnership with African Heartland Journeys, a specialist tour company on the Wild Coast, will be hosting Wild Walk 2012. The walk is supported by the Mazda Wildlife Fund. The event was first held in 2011 and is planned to be an annual event that celebrates the Wild Coast’s successes and highlights the challenges of education and conservation along the Wild Coast.