Eastern Cape

The Eastern Cape is a biodiversity hotspot, and both its land and ocean habitats are home to a bountiful range of species

WESSA’s conservation activity started in the Eastern Cape in 1929 with the formation of the Cape Branch of the Wildlife Protection Society of SA, which evolved into WESSA through the years. The society played a major role in the proclamation of the Addo Elephant National Park in 1931. The society evolved with time, with vibrant member and staff activity being focused around the hubs of Port Elizabeth and East London, as the Eastern Province and Border-Kei regions, respectively. In 2014 the two regions were merged into the Eastern Cape Region.

With seven biomes: Forest, Fynbos, Nama Karoo, Savanna, Succulent Karoo and Thicket; three centres of biological endemism: the Albany, Drakensberg, and Pondoland Centres, several national parks (Addo being SA’s third largest); over 800km of coastline that hosts several coastal types such as the Alexandria dune fields (one of the world’s largest); and key marine protected areas such as the Addo, Amathole, Dwese_Cwebe and Pondoland MPA’s, the Eastern Cape is South Africa’s most biodiverse province and has great potential for conservation, community access and sustainable use activity.

Currently most of WESSA Eastern Cape’s membership activity takes place in the Gqeberha (formerly Port Elizabeth) and Makhanda (formerly Grahamstown) urban areas, and their immediate surrounds. Our branches organise and support many activities such as clean-up’s, alien clearing, conservation efforts, rehabilitation, education, and broad community involvement and activism. Local members also serve on various environmental monitoring committees set up as an outcome of various EIA’s and have been participant in several key EIA’s consultative processes such as the Thyspunt Nuclear proposal, Karpowerships, the Shell-Wild Coast case, oil and gas exploration on the Agulhas Banks, and more.

We are keen to engage with members beyond Gqeberha and Makhanda so please contact our regional chair if you are interested in becoming involved with WESSA.

Eastern Cape Projects

Please check back soon.

Project 2

Branches & Affiliates

The Eastern Cape Region has a strong presence of WESSA branches in the Gqeberha and Makhanda urban areas, all actively involved in conservation, education, and local watchdog activities.

Currently there are three branches:
• Algoa Bay
• Ibhayi
• Makhanda

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