Pictured left to right: Jessica Redinger: General Manager, Hyde Johannesburg Rosebank; Charity Mabuza: Rooms Divisions Manager, Hyde Johannesburg Rosebank; Cindy-Lee Cloete: WESSA CEO; Karel Mienie: Facilities Manager, Hyde Johannesburg Rosebank

Hyde Johannesburg Rosebank has officially been awarded Green Key certification, an internationally recognised eco-label for tourism establishments committed to responsible and sustainable practices. Managed in South Africa by WESSA (The Wildlife & Environment Society of South Africa), the programme includes independent audits and annual verification, ensuring that certification reflects sustained performance rather than a once-off achievement.

Speaking at the official handover, WESSA CEO Cindy-Lee Cloete emphasised that Green Key certification represents more than compliance: “Green Key certification reflects a real commitment to sustainability, responsible tourism, and continuously improving how we operate as a hospitality establishment. This achievement is not just about receiving a certificate – it is about recognising the journey, the effort, and the people behind it.”

Sustainability engineered into the building

At the core of Hyde Rosebank’s sustainability journey is a design-led approach, where environmental performance is embedded into the building itself – not retrofitted.

The property operates with solar panels, a gas generator system, heat recovery for hot water, and a borehole supplying approximately 40% of its water needs, significantly reducing reliance on municipal infrastructure.

These systems are complemented by energy-efficient LED lighting, an Energy Performance Certificate, and water-saving aerators across guest rooms and operational areas, ensuring resource efficiency is maintained across all touchpoints.

“These aren’t cosmetic changes; they’re engineered into how the building runs every day. Sustainability is part of the infrastructure, and it shapes how we operate across every level of the hotel,” explains Jessica Redinger, General Manager of Hyde Johannesburg Rosebank.

Operational change embedded into systems

Beyond infrastructure, the hotel has embedded sustainability into daily operational practices and team behaviour, a critical factor in achieving Green Key certification.

Housekeeping and maintenance teams actively monitor energy usage, water consumption, and air conditioning systems, with daily checks ensuring unused rooms are not consuming unnecessary resources.

“We’ve already seen measurable reductions in energy and water consumption through daily monitoring and team accountability. It’s about turning awareness into action at every level of the operation,” adds Redinger.

Efforts to reduce waste are equally embedded. The hotel has eliminated single-use plastic water bottles, replacing them with a reusable glass bottle system supported by on-site purification and washing infrastructure, alongside broader waste reduction initiatives.

Pictured above: Hyde Johannesburg building exterior and interior. Source via establishment

Embedding sustainability into experience, culture and community

A defining feature of Hyde Johannesburg Rosebank’s approach is the seamless integration of sustainability across guest experience, team culture, and community impact – without compromising comfort or design.

• From digital in-room systems and bamboo key cards to reusable glass water bottles and initiatives such as “Skip the Clean”, which reduces water, energy, and chemical use, guests can participate in more responsible practices without disruption.
• Beyond the property, Hyde Rosebank maintains a strong focus on local community engagement, with ongoing support for New Jerusalem Children’s Home through food, clothing donations, and regular visits, alongside participation in Rosebank clean-up initiatives and wellness-driven community partnerships.
• Internally, this approach is underpinned by a culture-driven model, where sustainability is embedded into daily operations. A cross-departmental ESG committee, supported by leadership and operational teams, ensures accountability through daily briefings, monitoring, and continuous reinforcement.

Redinger shares that, “The highest compliment is that guests often don’t notice because sustainability is built into the experience from the start. Where guests do have a choice, it’s positioned as a benefit, not a sacrifice.”

Green Key certification is recognised in over 90 countries and forms part of a global network of tourism establishments committed to sustainability.

For Hyde Johannesburg Rosebank, this milestone marks not an endpoint, but the beginning of a deeper commitment. “Sustainability does not sit in a file or a policy. It lives in daily actions, in how teams use resources, engage with guests, and contribute to a culture of responsibility. It’s about asking what more can be done and how we keep improving, and based on what we’ve seen here, this team is well positioned to lead in this space,” concludes Cloete.

Across KwaZulu-Natal, WESSA’s work under the UNICEF Green Rising Project continues to enable young people and communities to take meaningful environmental action – from restoring coastal ecosystems to transforming school spaces into thriving hubs of biodiversity.

We spotlight these initiatives as it reflects a meaningful shift from awareness to action, where learners, volunteers and local partners are working together to protect and restore the environments they depend on.

Restoring coastal ecosystems at Beachwood Mangroves

On the last Saturday in February, the Beachwood Mangroves became the focus of a large-scale clean-up led by WESSA in partnership with Tri-Eco and volunteers from Umlazi.

An estimated 1000–1200 kg of waste was removed from this fragile ecosystem, helping to protect critical breeding habitats and safeguard local biodiversity. Beyond the immediate environmental impact, the initiative highlighted the importance of community-led action in addressing pollution and restoring coastal ecosystems.

Inspiring ocean stewardship through marine education

On 3 March 2026, learners from six schools gathered at Bluff Brighton Beach for a World Marine Biodiversity Workshop hosted in collaboration with the South Durban Community Environmental Alliance and Durban Solid Waste.

The workshop engaged 90 participants, combining environmental education with hands-on activities. Learners deepened their understanding of marine ecosystems before participating in a beach clean-up, collecting over 70 bags of waste and demonstrating their role as active ocean stewards.

Transforming school spaces through biodiversity gardens

WESSA’s Green Rising interventions also focused on restoring and enhancing school environments through the establishment of biodiversity gardens, delivered in partnership with key local stakeholders.

At Ukukhanya Kwelanga Primary School, WESSA worked alongside Cleansing and Solid Waste Durban (CSW) and Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) volunteers to clear invasive alien plants and reintroduce indigenous species to improve both the ecological value and visual appeal of the school grounds.

At Fulton School for the Deaf, WESSA volunteers partnered with the school community to plant a variety of indigenous species, creating a more vibrant, inclusive and environmentally supportive learning space.

From learning to leadership

Across each of these initiatives, a common thread emerges: Young people are not only learning about environmental challenges, but they are also actively contributing to solutions.

Through the Green Rising Project, WESSA continues to enable learners and communities to take ownership of their environments, building the knowledge, skills and confidence needed to drive long-term, sustainable change.

As WESSA marks its 100th year, the Green Rising Project stands as a powerful example of how education, when combined with opportunity and support, can translate into tangible impact.

Youth-led actions are helping to shape a more resilient and environmentally conscious future.

Across KwaZulu-Natal this March, WESSA and its partners consistently engaged in environmental action through a series of initiatives focused on waste management, recycling, and youth engagement.

From classrooms to communities, these efforts are equipping learners and educators with the tools, knowledge and motivation needed to drive meaningful impact for long-term benefits to their communities.

Mobilising youth for Global Recycling Day

On 18 March 2026, WESSA partnered with the Green Youth Network to mark Global Recycling Day through a community clean-up in Umlazi.

Young environmental enthusiasts actively participated, volunteering their time to take meaningful action in protecting their local environment. The initiative reminds us of the power of youth-led action in building a culture of environmental responsibility and collective care.

Educators equipped to strengthen recycling in schools

On 17 March 2026, Durban Solid Waste (DSW), in partnership with WESSA and various stakeholder organisations, hosted an Educators’ Workshop for the Schools Recycling Competition at the Stable Theatre.

The workshop engaged approximately 80 teachers from across the eThekwini Municipality, equipping them with practical tools and knowledge to strengthen recycling initiatives within schools.

The programme, directed by Mr S. Makhanya and Ms. L. Shabalala, featured contributions from key industry partners including MetPacSA, Fibre Circle, Polyco, WESSA, and Manaza Recycling, alongside interactive sessions led by the Waste Management Directorate.

The engagement created a platform for knowledge exchange and collaboration, reinforcing the critical role educators play in embedding sustainable waste practices within school communities.

Eco-Schools waste education

On 13 March 2026, WESSA facilitated an Eco-Schools workshop at Palmview Secondary School, supported by Sun International.

Learners and eco-teachers were equipped with practical guidance on implementing the Waste theme within their schools, alongside tools to establish strong and effective Eco-Committee structures aligned with the Eco-Schools Programme 7-step framework.

The session sparked strong enthusiasm among learners, reinforcing their role as active participants in driving sustainability initiatives within their school environments.

Building a culture of waste responsibility

Together, these initiatives demonstrate how WESSA and its partners are strengthening the link between education and action, ensuring that learners, educators and communities are equipped to address waste challenges in practical and impactful ways.

As WESSA marks its 100th year, this growing momentum reflects a collective commitment to shaping more sustainable, responsible and resilient communities across South Africa.