South Africa’s coast – a living heritage

South Africa’s coast – a living heritage

Sep 26, 2026 | Blue Flag, News, Uncategorized

South Africa’s coast is more than a collection of beautiful beaches. It is a living heritage shaped by our oceans, estuaries, dunes, forests, marine ecosystems, wildlife, communities, cultures, histories and the people whose lives and livelihoods are connected to the sea.

Our beaches are places where people gather, memories are created and communities connect. They are also places where visitors experience the natural beauty of our coastline. Beneath the surface, our coastal and marine environments support remarkable biodiversity and ecological systems that are essential to the health and resilience of our planet.

Our coastal heritage is something we have inherited, but it is also something we have a responsibility to protect.

For 25 years, WESSA’s Blue Flag programme has played a role in that work, bringing municipalities, operators, communities and partners together to ensure that these valuable spaces are not only enjoyed, but responsibly managed, protected and appreciated.

Environmental education is an important part of this approach. By bringing people closer to nature and increasing awareness of the value of our coastal environments, we can help foster a deeper sense of responsibility and stewardship.

Blue Flag provides a platform where environmental management, public safety, accessibility, education and sustainable tourism come together to support healthier and more resilient coastal destinations. From beaches and marinas to sustainable boating operations, every Blue Flag site represents a commitment to protecting and enhancing the places that form part of our shared coastal heritage.

 

25 years of partnership and progress

 

Pictured above: Willard Beach, Ballito, KwaZulu-Natal

 

Over the past 25 years, our partners have embraced Blue Flag as more than simply an award. It has become a commitment to sustainable development, responsible tourism, environmental management and the continuous improvement of coastal destinations.

This journey would not have been possible without the dedication of the municipalities, beach and marina operators, sustainable boating operators, communities and partners who continue to invest in the future of our coastline.

As we mark 25 years of Blue Flag in South Africa, we celebrate the people, places and partnerships behind the programme.

We celebrate the beaches that have become part of our national coastal identity.

We celebrate the biodiversity that makes our coastline unique.

We celebrate the communities who depend on and care for these spaces.

We celebrate the partners who have committed to stronger environmental management.

And we recognise the generations before us who left us a coastline worth protecting.

Most importantly, heritage is not only about looking back. It is about deciding what we carry forward.

As WESSA marks 25 years as the National Operator of Blue Flag South Africa, alongside a century of action for nature, we look towards the next chapter with a renewed commitment to protecting South Africa’s coastal and marine heritage.

Because the legacy we leave behind will be shaped by how we care for these places today.

ADvTECH learners connect with South Africa’s natural and cultural heritage

ADvTECH learners connect with South Africa’s natural and cultural heritage

Sep 25, 2026 | eco-schools, News

Pictured: Pre-primary learners at Pecanwood College completed a South African Flag mural for Heritage Day

 

September brought opportunities for learning, creativity and connection across ADvTECH schools, as learners explored the natural environment and the diverse cultural heritage that make South Africa unique.

At Maragon Mooikloof, learners welcomed spring on 4 September with a Spring Day and Arbor Day celebration, dressing in bright, nature-inspired colours and taking part in the planting of 22 indigenous False Olive (Buddleja saligna) trees across the school campus.

 

Pictured above: Maragon Mooikloof learners planting 22 Indigenous trees and showcasing their Arbor Month Spring Day dress-up

 

Well suited to the local biome, the indigenous trees will provide shade, support biodiversity and contribute to the school’s natural environment. Their planting also forms part of a longer-term plan to establish a natural wind and sand screen between the school and neighbouring properties.

At Pecanwood College, Heritage Day provided another opportunity for learners to explore the connections between people, place, culture and the environment.

Activities encouraged learners to discover South Africa’s diverse traditions and heritage through a range of hands-on experiences. These included creating a South African flag from recycled bottle tops, exploring traditional foods and spices, learning about Ubuntu, creating Ndebele-inspired artwork, and exploring traditional attire and heritage sites.

 

Pictured: Pre-primary learners at Pecanwood College sorting bottle caps and creating their SA Flag mural.

 

Learners also celebrated South Africa’s languages, music, dance and wildlife, reflecting the many different elements that contribute to the country’s rich cultural heritage.

Together, these activities demonstrate the value of creating opportunities for young people to learn through experience – whether planting an indigenous tree, exploring a cultural tradition or finding creative ways to reuse materials.

 

Pictured: Learners at Pecanwood with their Ubuntu poster for Heritage Day

 

By connecting learners with both natural and cultural heritage, schools can help nurture a deeper appreciation for the places, people and environments they are part of – and encourage a culture of care that extends beyond the classroom.

 

WESSA statement on Verreaux’s (Black) Eagle nesting at uMngeni Valley Nature Reserve

WESSA statement on Verreaux’s (Black) Eagle nesting at uMngeni Valley Nature Reserve

Sep 23, 2026 | Advocacy, News, Umngeni Valley

WESSA is aware of the concerns being expressed about the absence of Verreaux’s (Black) Eagle nesting at uMngeni Valley Nature Reserve during the current breeding season.

The absence of nesting is a concern, and the reserve management team continues to monitor the situation. At this stage, however, the reason for the absence of nesting has not been established, and there is no confirmed evidence that it was caused by climbing, hiking or any other specific activity.

WESSA fully supports the reserve management team, including the use of seasonal closures, signage and other access-management measures designed to protect sensitive areas and breeding wildlife. All visitors and users of the reserve are expected to comply with these rules and to respect closures and signage at all times.

WESSA CEO Cindy-Lee Cloete expressed that WESSA recognises that the reserve is valued by a range of users, including the climbing and hiking communities, and we acknowledge the positive role that responsible users play in the reserve. We also recognise that, as with any shared natural space, individual actions may not always reflect the standards and expectations of the wider community.

Our priority is to protect the biodiversity and natural heritage of uMngeni Valley while enabling responsible access to the reserve. We believe these objectives can coexist when everyone respects the rules established by reserve management.

WESSA welcomes constructive dialogue with all stakeholders as we work together to strengthen understanding of seasonal restrictions and support the protection of the reserve’s wildlife.

The Mountain Club of South Africa – KZN Section shares the concerns raised by WESSA and, as always, remains committed to its support of the uMngeni Valley Nature Reserve and the decisions made by its management. The MCSA and its members have a long history of collaboration with the Reserve across various areas of involvement, including climbing closures for birds of prey. Carl Dreyer, President of the MCSA – KZN Section, encourages all climbers and user groups to respect the primary purpose of the Reserve and to adhere to any restrictions or requests made by the Reserve Management.

Conservation is a shared responsibility, and the rules that protect the reserve apply to all of us.

Contact Jaco van der Merwe, uMngeni Valley Reserve Manager, for any reserve-related queries by emailing Jaco.VanDerMerwe@wessa.co.za  or calling 066 307 0025.

Protea Hotel by Marriott Cape Town Sea Point awarded Green Key certification

Protea Hotel by Marriott Cape Town Sea Point awarded Green Key certification

Sep 23, 2026 | News, Uncategorized

Pictured: Protea Hotel by Marriott Cape Town Sea Point – front entrance.

 

Sustainability is increasingly becoming part of how tourism businesses operate, from the way resources are managed to how staff and guests are encouraged to make more responsible choices.

Protea Hotel by Marriott Cape Town Sea Point has been awarded Green Key certification, recognising its commitment to responsible tourism and its ongoing efforts to embed sustainability across its operations. The internationally recognised certification is awarded through the Green Key programme in South Africa, operated nationally by WESSA, following the hotel’s successful completion of the programme’s certification requirements.

At an official handover ceremony, the hotel’s General Manager, Jeremy Govender, received the Green Key plaque from WESSA Senior Sustainability Manager, Tevya Visser.

“The team at Protea Hotel by Marriott Cape Town Sea Point can be proud of this achievement, which reflects a sustained commitment to making responsible tourism part of the way the hotel operates,” says Visser. “Green Key provides a practical framework for turning sustainability commitments into action, and it is encouraging to see the team embracing that responsibility across different areas of the business.”

 

Pictured above (left to right): Jade Elders – Human Resource Administrator, Tevya Visser – WESSA Senior Sustainability Manager; Jeremy Govender – General Manager; Siyamthanda Frans – Sales and Marketing Manager, Annalien Olifant – Groups and Conferencing Agent, Thembakazi Mangaliso – Front Office Supervisor, Oswald Gabriels – Maintenance Manager

 

Sustainability in everyday operations

 

The hotel has developed an extensive sustainability action plan to guide its environmental practices and support responsible resource use across different areas of its operations.

Energy efficiency is supported through LED lighting, with 95% of the hotel’s lights using LED technology. Water conservation measures have also been introduced in bathrooms, including aerators on shower nozzles and taps to reduce consumption without compromising the guest experience.

The hotel has implemented a waste separation and management system supported by dedicated signage and colour-coded bins, while also working to reduce unnecessary waste by avoiding single-use plastic items and cutlery.

A responsible paper-use policy encourages staff to print only when necessary, using double-sided printing and eco-friendly paper where printing is required.

Importantly, sustainability is also supported through staff engagement and training, helping employees understand the hotel’s environmental practices and apply them in their everyday responsibilities.

For Govender, the certification process is as important as the recognition itself.

“We are incredibly proud of achieving Green Key, but for us the real value is in what the process has helped us put into practice,” says Govender. “Sustainability is not something that sits separately from our hotel operations. It is reflected in the practical choices we make every day, from how we manage resources and waste to how we engage our team and encourage more responsible choices among our guests.”

 

Extending responsible tourism beyond the hotel

 

The hotel’s sustainability efforts also extend beyond its own operations through a collaboration with World of Azraah, supporting more sustainable tourism through eco-conscious transport and tour recommendations.

The partnership helps introduce guests to more responsible ways of travelling and experiencing the destination.

“This certification represents a significant milestone for our team,” adds Govender. “We hope that our journey encourages other tourism establishments to look at the practical steps they can take to make sustainability part of their own operations.”

For WESSA, Green Key is about helping businesses move from commitments to practical action.

“Sustainability is not a once-off project or something that belongs to one department. It is a way of operating, and it requires people throughout an organisation to participate,” says WESSA CEO Cindy-Lee Cloete. “As WESSA celebrates 100 years of caring for the Earth, it is particularly meaningful to see that legacy continuing through partnerships with businesses that are taking tangible steps towards a more sustainable future.”

Protea Hotel by Marriott Cape Town Sea Point is now among more than 9 000 Green Key certified establishments across more than 90 countries, reflecting the growing momentum around responsible tourism in the Western Cape.

“Green Key enables us to work with the tourism sector to move beyond good intentions and translate sustainability into practical action within everyday operations,” concludes Cloete.

For WESSA, this is ultimately what responsible tourism is about: creating practical pathways for businesses to improve how they operate, while contributing to a culture of environmental responsibility that benefits both people and the planet.

 

Pictured: Protea Hotel by Marriott Cape Town Sea Point – pool deck

From launch to action: Central Karoo youth build pathways to green enterprise

From launch to action: Central Karoo youth build pathways to green enterprise

Sep 23, 2026 | eco-schools, News

Pictured: Red Rocket’s Tsholofelo Moote (left) , WESSA staff and youth recipients at one of the Eco-Hub sites at Laingsburg High School.

 

The Community Roots Project is moving into its next phase, bringing young people in Laingsburg, Sutherland and Matjiesfontein closer to practical opportunities in sustainable agriculture, environmental stewardship, enterprise development and sustainable livelihoods.

For WESSA, environmental action is also about creating opportunities for people and communities to thrive.

That principle is at the heart of the Brandvalley and Rietkloof Wind Farm Community Roots Project, delivered by the Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa (WESSA) in partnership with Red Rocket.

The initiative is now moving from programme design into training and Eco-Hub activation, with 15 unemployed young people set to receive accredited training in climate-smart agriculture, agribusiness, environmental stewardship and entrepreneurship.

 

Youth PPE

Pictured above: Youth recipients receiving their PPE – Personal Protection Equipment.

 

Building more than a food garden

 

At the centre of the project are community Eco-Hubs: spaces where young people can learn, work together and develop practical skills that can support longer-term opportunities.

“An Eco-Hub is a group of young people working together towards a common goal. It is not a school or simply a training unit; it is young people coming together to address challenges such as unemployment and substance abuse, while building skills and opportunities through sustainable food gardens,” explains Sinoxolo Sabelo, WESSA’s Community Roots Project Coordinator.

The model extends beyond agricultural training. Participants will also develop financial literacy, leadership, teamwork, time management, technical skills and entrepreneurship, creating a broader foundation for youth-led socio-economic activity.

For Red Rocket, which supports the Community Roots Project through the Brandvalley and Rietkloof Wind Farms, Magdalena Michalowska-Logan, Sustainability & SHSEQ Director ,indicated that the programme represents an opportunity to connect renewable energy investment with longer-term sustainable community development.

“It is about addressing unemployment and passing skills and knowledge to young people in the communities we serve. We want young people to gain the confidence and tools to create positive change wherever they go,” says Tsholofelo Moote, Economic Development and Community Manager at Red Rocket.

 

Pictured: Sinoxolo Sabelo, demonstrating what the youth will be planting and the process.

 

Starting with the community

 

The project’s current phase follows a deliberate process of listening and understanding.

WESSA conducted a community scoping and baseline process in November 2025 using the Sustainable Livelihoods and Vulnerability Framework. The findings were then taken back to communities in March 2026 for validation.

“We engaged young people, schools, stakeholders and community members to understand what exists in each community, what the challenges are, and equally, what the opportunities and aspirations are. The community was the starting point,” says Kelly Alcock, Head of Education and Sustainability at WESSA.

This approach reflects WESSA’s commitment to community-led environmental action – an approach that is particularly significant as the organisation marks 100 years of action for nature in 2026.

 

Pictured: Mayor of Laingsburg Aletta Theron

 

As Mayor of Laingsburg, Aletta Theron noted in her address:

“This day is about more than launching a project. It is about recognising the value of partnerships, community participation and opportunities that can make a meaningful and lasting difference in the lives of our people.”

She also emphasised the importance of local ownership: “To the beneficiaries and members of our community, this project belongs to you. I encourage you to participate fully, take ownership of the opportunities presented and help ensure that the benefits of this initiative are sustained for years to come.”

 

Growing solutions suited to the Central Karoo

 

The project is also shaped by the environmental realities of the region.

Limited rainfall and soil nutrients mean that agricultural practices need to be both sustainable and suited to local conditions. Participants will explore practical approaches, including rainwater harvesting, mulching, composting, drought-tolerant crop selection and appropriate irrigation scheduling.

 

Pictured: WESSA CEO Cindy-Lee Cloete planting with the youth at the Laingsburg Eco-Hub site located at Laingsburg High School.

 

For WESSA CEO Cindy-Lee Cloete, however, the value of an Eco-Hub ultimately lies beyond the physical infrastructure.

“An Eco-Hub is not the land or the infrastructure we put in place. It is the people who make it work. It must be a hub of knowledge, shared learning and action. It needs to be a space where young people can grow into individuals who are proud of what they have achieved.”

 

From ideas to action

 

As Community Roots enters this next phase, WESSA’s approach will continue to focus on co-creation, learning and adaptation. Laingsburg High School and Northrop Grumman Primary are providing spaces where learning can take place, with future technical support from the Department of Agriculture anticipated.

“We do not believe in dropping into a community, imposing a project and then leaving. We co-create. That is why we started by engaging communities, listening to what matters locally and building the project together with the people it is meant to serve,” says Cloete.

The longer-term outcomes – including enterprises created, income generated, employment sustained and potential improvements in food security – will be assessed as the project progresses. For now, the focus is on creating the foundations: skills, knowledge, relationships, confidence and practical experience.

That is where the real work of Community Roots begins: turning community insight into action and creating pathways for young people to shape more sustainable futures in the Central Karoo.

 

Pictured: WESSA CEO Cindy-Lee Cloete cutting a WESSA 100-themed cake with one of the youth recipients. Fun fact: It was also his birthday that day. 

Eastern Cape Membership: 91 bags of waste in just 90 minutes

Eastern Cape Membership: 91 bags of waste in just 90 minutes

Sep 21, 2026 | News, Uncategorized

Pictured: WESSA members, staff and partners take part in International Cleanup Day

 

On Saturday, 19 September, learners, volunteers and partners came together with WESSA to mark International Coastal Cleanup Day, turning a shared commitment to the environment into 90 minutes of practical action along the coast.

The beach cleanup brought together WESSA, Coca-Cola, McDonald’s, Blue Ribbon and Mertech Marine, alongside a group of learners who collected litter from the sand, pebble shoreline and rock pools. Together, they collected 91 bags of waste in just 90 minutes.

The cleanup was also part of WESSA’s centenary year, providing an opportunity to celebrate 100 years of action for nature while encouraging young people to take responsibility for the environment.

 

Turning responsibility into action

 

Opening the event, WESSA CEO Cindy-Lee Cloete reflected on what it means to reach 100 years of environmental action.

She reminded those gathered that caring for the environment matters and that protecting it is a responsibility we all share. She thanked the partners and volunteers for taking part, noting that their presence demonstrated a real commitment to the cause.

For WESSA, this sense of shared responsibility is central to its work. Cloete described the work being done today as a legacy for future generations, reminding the learners that WESSA is made up of people caring for the Earth.

She also encouraged the learners to take responsibility and, importantly, to take action.

 

Learning through doing

 

There is something powerful about environmental education that happens beyond the classroom.

On the day, learners were not simply learning about the impact of litter on coastal environments; they were actively participating in caring for a coastal space as they walked the shoreline and collected waste.

 

Pictured above: Learners carrying bags of collected waste along the shoreline, volunteers working across the pebble beach and dune edge, and participants clearing litter from the rock pools

 

The 91 bags collected in 90 minutes are a tangible reminder of both the scale of the challenge and what can be achieved when people come together around a shared purpose.

 

A century of caring for the Earth

 

Pictured: WESSA CEO, Cindy-Lee Cloete, with a young volunteer cutting the centenary cake.

The day ended on a celebratory note, with WESSA staff, partners, volunteers and learners marking the organisation’s 100th year with a centenary cake.

The celebration was a fitting reflection of WESSA’s centenary theme: People Caring for the Earth.

For 100 years, WESSA has worked to connect people with nature through education, advocacy and action. International Coastal Cleanup Day brought that legacy to life in a simple but meaningful way by bringing people together to care for a shared environment and encouraging the next generation to play their part.

The work does not end when the bags are collected.

Every cleanup is also an opportunity to learn, to build awareness and to remind ourselves that protecting the environment is a shared responsibility.

 

Ninety minutes of action made a visible difference.

 

More importantly, it gave learners an opportunity to experience what it means to care for the Earth and to recognise that meaningful environmental action starts with all of us.