WESSA (The Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa) is proud to announce the recipients of the 2025 WESSA Annual Awards, celebrating individuals, organisations, educators, youth and community groups whose work is advancing environmental conservation and education across South Africa.

“These prestigious annual awards recognise exceptional and sustained contributions that go beyond expectation. WESSA aims to recognise those who are not only protecting the environment but actively shaping a more sustainable and inclusive future,” says WESSA’s Chief Executive Officer, Cindy-Lee Cloete.

The awards also serve as a platform to elevate environmental action, inspire broader public awareness, and reinforce the critical role of collective responsibility in caring for the Earth.

A lifetime dedicated to ocean conservation and environmental education

Leading this year’s honours, the WESSA Lifetime Achievement Award 2025 has been awarded to Dr Judy Mann-Lang of the Two Oceans Aquarium Foundation.

Dr Mann-Lang is recognised for her outstanding lifetime contribution to marine research, conservation and environmental education at both national and international levels. Her decades of work – spanning the South African Association for Marine Biological Research and the Two Oceans Aquarium Foundation – have played a pivotal role in advancing marine conservation awareness and education.

She has also co-founded influential platforms such as the South African Marine and Coastal Educators Network and Marine Protected Areas Day, helping to shape both public understanding and policy engagement around ocean conservation. Her leadership across multiple scientific and conservation bodies has contributed to transforming the relationship between people and the sea, inspiring long-term behavioural change in favour of protecting marine ecosystems.

WESSA also commends Mr Katot Meyer for his decades-long dedication to clearing invasive alien plants and restoring water flows within the Pietersrivier Nature Reserve, a powerful example of sustained, hands-on environmental stewardship.

Honouring individuals driving national environmental impact

WESSA’s premier individual award for 2025 has been awarded to Dr Crispin Hemson, founder of the Friends of Pigeon Valley Nature Reserve and a long-standing WESSA member.

Dr Hemson is recognised for decades of leadership in environmental stewardship, particularly in mobilising community participation in the rehabilitation and conservation of the Pigeon Valley Nature Reserve. His influence extends into policy, having played a key role in initiating biodiversity conservation commitments within the Durban City Council, contributing to the development of the Durban Metropolitan Open Space System Plan. He is also recognised for his leadership in creating the nexus of environmentalism and non-violent conflict resolution.

WESSA also commends:

• Mr Tshepang Motaung, co-founder of Clean Environment NPO, for advancing waste reduction initiatives in Thembisa.

• Ms Michèle Merrifield, for her dedication to wildlife rehabilitation through the DAKTARI Bush School & Wildlife Orphanage.

Youth leadership inspiring a new generation of eco-guardians

The 2025 Youth Award has been awarded to Ethan Fourie, a 9-year-old learner from Kabega Primary School in Gqeberha, widely known as “The Recycling Kid”.

Ethan has demonstrated extraordinary ability to mobilise both corporates and communities around recycling initiatives, inspiring behavioural change and environmental awareness across the Eastern Cape. His work exemplifies the growing power of youth leadership in driving national environmental action.

WESSA further recognises:

• Mr Lumko Mboyi, for community conservation efforts along the Wild Coast

• Ms Selomina Phekelela for impactful environmental journalism that translates complex issues into public understanding.

Championing environmental education through teaching excellence

The WESSA Teacher of the Year Award 2025 has been awarded to Mr Simangaliso Dhlamini of Shea O’Conner Combined School.

An Eco-Schools leader, Mr Dhlamini is recognised for transforming environmental education into practical, learner-led initiatives that integrate sustainability, entrepreneurship, and food security. His approach demonstrates how education can move beyond theory to real-world application, equipping learners with critical thinking skills and environmental action competence.

WESSA commends Ms Sascha van der Merwe of Waterberg Academy for her outstanding contributions to environmental education and community initiatives.

Corporate leadership advancing sustainable practices

The WESSA Corporate Award 2025 has been awarded to Tenthouse Structures, recognised for embedding sustainability and social responsibility into its operations.

The company’s holistic approach includes reducing carbon emissions, recycling production waste for community benefit, and fostering environmental stewardship through its Made Better Together Foundation and employee volunteer initiatives.

WESSA also commends:

Fatyela Enviro Works, for environmental education and socio-ecological initiatives.

• Love Africa Marketing, for storytelling that amplifies conservation and community impact.

Community groups restoring ecosystems and livelihoods

The WESSA Group Award 2025 has been awarded to Thumela Makhado Adopt a River NPO, based in the Thohoyandou villages in Venda.

Over 15 years, this grassroots organisation has led 45 projects focused on restoring rivers, wetlands and springs – tackling pollution, erosion, invasive species and unsustainable practices. Their work has restored critical water systems while strengthening community participation and demonstrating the power of combining indigenous knowledge with modern conservation methods.

WESSA also recognises the Mosselbank River Conservation Team for their community-driven environmental restoration efforts in Fisantekraal, integrating environmental care with socio-economic upliftment.

Celebrating a collective movement for environmental action

“The 2025 WESSA Annual Awards highlight the breadth and depth of environmental action taking place across South Africa – from grassroots community initiatives to national policy influence, from youth activism to corporate leadership,” adds Cloete.

Together, these awardees represent a powerful collective of people caring for the Earth, demonstrating that meaningful environmental change is driven not by one sector alone, but through collaboration, commitment, and sustained action.

As WESSA continues its mission to Educate, Advocate, Act, the Annual Awards remain a vital platform for recognising those who are leading the way and inspiring others to follow.

As WESSA marks its 100th year of educating, advocating and acting for the environment, schools across the ADvTECH network kicked off celebrations with creativity, reflection and meaningful action – demonstrating how environmental education continues to shape responsible, engaged citizens from a young age.

Learners embraced the milestone not only as a celebration, but as an opportunity to deepen their understanding of the natural world and their role in protecting it.

At Abbotts High School Pretoria East, learners reflected on the power of everyday actions through a collective initiative titled “100 Small Ways Our Students Help the Planet.”

From recycling and saving water to planting and picking up litter, learners highlighted how small, consistent behaviours contribute to a healthier planet – reinforcing a key principle of WESSA’s work over the past century: that meaningful environmental change often begins with individual action.

At The Bridge Morningside, the celebration took an interactive and exploratory approach, with learners engaging in a range of activities designed to connect them more deeply to nature.

Learners were introduced to WESSA’s role in environmental protection before taking part in hands-on activities, including creating a birthday cake and artwork from recyclable materials. They also explored their school environment, observing insects, birds, trees and plant life, and discussing the importance of each within broader ecosystems.

A standout moment was the “My Promise to Nature” activity, where learners created posters using fingerprint “leaves” to symbolise their personal commitment to caring for the environment.

Through these activities, learners not only gained knowledge but also developed a sense of ownership and responsibility for the natural world around them.

At Maragon Olympus, the WESSA 100 celebration brought together learners across all phases in a vibrant, multi-dimensional tribute.

Preschool learners explored environmental care through hands-on play with recyclable materials, learning early lessons about reuse and sustainability. In the Foundation Phase, learners combined creativity with digital skills by designing EdTech birthday cards for WESSA, and the Senior Phase learners added a personal touch by recording heartfelt birthday messages and performing a special tribute, highlighting both their awareness and emotional connection to environmental stewardship.

The celebrations were shared across the school’s social platforms, extending the impact beyond the classroom and inviting the broader community to participate in recognising WESSA’s milestone.

A centenary shaped by education, action and hope

By engaging learners through creativity, exploration and action, these schools are not only celebrating WESSA’s legacy but actively contributing to it.

As WESSA enters its next century, it is this generation of informed, inspired young people who will carry forward the work of protecting South Africa’s natural heritage – proving that when education leads, meaningful environmental action follows.

Pictured above: left – Thuto Ke Lesedi Educare Centre learners in their garden; top middle – Teachers shared their innovative ideas of how they will use their gardens for teaching; right top – Qalabotjha Creche learner marking a spot for their biodiversity garden; bottom middle – Learner at Zenzeleni Educare Centre during the garden walk; Learners colouring various food items they will plant in their garden

From 23 to 25 March 2026, WESSA launched its first implementation sessions with N3TC schools in Villiers, Free State – marking a strong step forward in embedding biodiversity and outdoor learning into school environments.

Equipping educators for outdoor learning

The visit began with a dynamic teachers’ workshop centred on this year’s focus: biodiversity and outdoor learning.

The workshop aimed to equip educators with practical knowledge and tools to transform biodiversity gardens into living classrooms that support experiential learning. Key discussions explored the critical link between biodiversity, climate resilience, and water conservation – highlighting the role schools can play in building environmentally responsible communities.

A standout moment was the collaborative design session, where teachers developed tailored plans for their own school biodiversity gardens. Educators shared innovative ideas on how these spaces will be integrated into teaching and learning, demonstrating a strong commitment to hands-on, nature-based education.

From classroom to living ecosystem

Following the workshop, the programme continued with two days of engaging learner sessions, bringing biodiversity concepts to life in practical and relatable ways.

Learners were introduced to the importance of biodiversity and its role in supporting healthy ecosystems and resilient communities, laying the foundation for deeper environmental understanding.

A key highlight was the interactive garden walk, where learners explored their school environment and guided by their teachers, participated in designing their own biodiversity gardens. This hands-on approach deepened their understanding while fostering a sense of ownership and responsibility towards their natural surroundings.

Strengthening the link between knowledge and action

Together, these sessions strengthened the connection between knowledge and action, enabling both teachers and learners to actively contribute to sustainable, biodiversity-rich school environments.

Through initiatives like this, WESSA continues to advance its mission to Educate, Advocate, Act, enabling schools to become spaces where environmental awareness is not only taught, but lived.

Pictured above: Bekezela Learners compressing their Waste tins and sorting recyclables

WESSA’s partnership with Nedbank continues to bring the principles of the circular economy to life in classrooms, equipping learners with practical knowledge and real-world skills to address waste challenges while unlocking economic opportunity.

From awareness to action

The March rollout of the Nedbank Circular Economy Project focused on introducing learners to the concept of waste and its environmental impact, building on the foundation laid during the educator workshop.

Teachers piloted their lesson plans by guiding learners through the fundamentals of the circular economy, including how the 7R’s framework can be applied to reduce waste and rethink resource use.

Importantly, learners were encouraged to think beyond theory, engaging in discussions on how waste can be repurposed into income-generating opportunities through creative, small-scale business ideas.

Learning through upcycling

Hands-on learning formed a central part of the programme, with learners participating in upcycling activities that demonstrated how everyday waste materials can be reused in practical ways.

Pictured above: Lehutso Primary School learners engaging in the session on the reuse of waste

From repurposing paper packaging to cover books, to transforming plastic bottles into functional containers, learners explored how simple interventions can extend the life cycle of materials while reducing environmental impact.

These sessions were further strengthened through a presentation by Indalo Yami Recyclers, who shared insights into how recycling contributes to both environmental protection and income generation. Learners were also introduced to key health and safety considerations, including the risks associated with handling contaminated or hazardous waste.

Pictured above: Bekezela Primary School learners reusing 2lt bottles to make containers

Building a culture of recycling

The second phase of the project deepened learners’ understanding of recycling systems and the finite nature of natural resources.

Learners explored how waste materials are categorised into reclaimable and non-reclaimable streams, and why sorting waste at source is critical to improving recycling efficiency and reducing contamination.

Pictured above: Nelson Mandela P.S learners learning about recycling and sorting waste

Across participating schools, learners are now actively collecting and sorting recyclable materials including beverage cans, paper, cardboard, and plastic – turning environmental responsibility into measurable action.

Turning waste into opportunity

A key outcome of the project has been the ability of schools to begin generating income through their recycling initiatives, demonstrating the tangible value of circular economy principles in action.

Looking ahead, the next phase will integrate Economic and Management Sciences (EMS) into the programme, enabling learners to manage and grow the income generated through their recycling and upcycling activities.

This progression ensures that learners not only understand sustainability concepts but also develop the financial literacy and entrepreneurial skills needed to sustain and scale their initiatives.

Educating for a circular future

Through this project, WESSA and Nedbank are demonstrating how environmental education can move beyond awareness to meaningful, learner-led action.

By linking sustainability with economic opportunity, the initiative is helping to shape a generation of young people who are not only environmentally conscious, but also enabled to innovate, lead, and contribute to a more circular and resilient future.