From young environmental leaders and educators to scientists, conservation organisations and people who have dedicated decades to the environmental movement, the 2026 WESSA Conservation Leadership Awards celebrate the people turning care for the Earth into action.

In 2026, WESSA marks 100 years of action for nature. At its 100th Annual General Meeting on 3 October, the organisation recognised a new generation of environmental leaders alongside some of South Africa’s most longstanding conservation champions through the WESSA 100 Conservation Leadership Awards.

For more than 51 years, WESSA has used its annual awards to recognise people, groups and institutions making exceptional and sustained contributions to conservation and environmental education in South Africa.

This centenary year, the awards reflect the extraordinary breadth of environmental stewardship – from grassroots environmental justice and youth leadership to environmental education, scientific research, biodiversity conservation and decades of service to the conservation movement.

“From emerging leaders and educators to scientists, conservationists, organisations, corporates, and generations of WESSA members and staff, these individuals and groups demonstrate the many ways environmental stewardship can create lasting change. We are proud to honour their contribution as we look towards the next century of WESSA,” says WESSA CEO Cindy-Lee Cloete.

Recognising a lifetime of environmental leadership

WESSA Gold Awards

Dr Jim Taylor

The WESSA Gold Award recognises extraordinary and sustained contribution to conservation and environmental education.

Dr Jim Taylor is honoured for 35 years of contribution to WESSA and for his work advancing environmental education, citizen science and sustainable development across South Africa and the SADC region.

His contribution includes significant environmental education programmes and initiatives such as miniSASS and Enviro-Champs, helping educators, communities and citizens become active stewards of their environment.

His work also extends to research, publications, mentorship and collaboration with communities and stakeholders – demonstrating the power of turning environmental knowledge into participation and action.

Clive Walker

With more than five decades of visionary leadership in wildlife conservation, environmental education and institution-building, Clive Walker has made a lasting contribution to South Africa’s conservation movement.

His contribution includes co-founding the Endangered Wildlife Trust, championing rhino and elephant conservation, and driving the development of the Lapalala Wilderness Reserve and Lapalala Wilderness School.

Through conservation writing, art, education and institution-building, his work has protected wildlife while capacitating and inspiring generations of conservation students and leaders.

Lifetime Achievement Award

Prof. Eureta Rosenberg

Prof. Eureta Rosenberg is recognised for her extraordinary contribution and pioneering leadership across environmental education and sustainability research, policy development, strategic partnerships, innovative education programmes and mentorship.

Her work has helped shape environmental education across Southern Africa while supporting the development of future environmental leaders.

Her award is a reminder that environmental stewardship begins with knowledge – and that building an environmentally literate society is itself a powerful form of conservation.

Commendations: Prof. Rob O’Donoghue, Prof. George and Margo Branch, Dr Mark Graham and Dr Elsa Pooley.

The next generation of environmental leaders

Rising Stars Award

Alwande Dube

The centenary awards also look firmly towards the future.

Alwande Dube is recognised for her contribution to marine conservation, environmental advocacy and youth leadership.

As Chairperson of Youth4MPAs, she has championed greater participation by young people in marine and coastal conservation. Her work brings together academic research, marine conservation and community advocacy, helping to mobilise others into active environmental stewardship.

The Rising Stars Award recognises the next generation of emerging environmental leaders – people already making their mark and helping shape the future of conservation.

Commendations: Dr Kyle John Lloyd, Chelsey Bevie, Joseph Hlako and Bulelani Ndzuzo.

Young leaders turning environmental justice into action

WESSA Award for an Individual

Prof. Mary Scholes

Prof. Mary Scholes is recognised for her pioneering contribution to environmental science, forestry and climate resilience in South Africa.

Through systems-based research, practical environmental interventions and the mentorship of more than 70 postgraduate students, she has helped build both the knowledge and human capacity needed to respond to a changing environment.

Her recognition highlights the importance of combining environmental research with the development of the people and skills needed to apply that knowledge.

Commendations: Dr Deborah Robertson-Andersson, Dr Hanneline Smit-Robinson, Lewyn Maefala and Nicholas Theron.

WESSA Award for Youth

Nondumiso Sibiya

Environmental action often begins close to home.

Nondumiso Sibiya is recognised for her commitment to environmental justice, waste management and community health in Diepsloot.

Her work challenges illegal dumping while advancing household-level circular economy solutions and building networks among residents, schools, partners and waste reclaimers.

Her story demonstrates how grassroots leadership can connect environmental action with everyday health, livelihoods and community wellbeing – and how young leaders can drive meaningful systemic change from within their communities.

Commendations: Dr Alexandra Howard, Gabby Sykora, Dr Karabo Moloi and Sthuthukile Conco.

Where environmental education becomes everyday action

Educator of the Year Award

Patricia Mabenaz

Teachers have a unique role in shaping how the next generation understands and responds to the environment.

Patricia Mabena is recognised for her exceptional commitment to environmental education and sustainability at Monde Primary School.

Through creative teaching and leadership of the Eco-Schools programme, she has embedded biodiversity, waste management and environmental action into school life – inspiring both learners and teachers to become responsible environmental stewards.

Her work shows how environmental education can move beyond the classroom and become part of everyday action.

Commendations: Bianca Steyn and Sboniso Mazolo.

Protecting biodiversity while supporting people and places

WESSA Award for Corporates

CapeNature

CapeNature is recognised for its outstanding and sustained contribution to biodiversity conservation, ecotourism, community development and environmental education.

Its work spans protected areas, marine and coastal environments, wetlands and other ecosystems across the Western Cape.

By safeguarding significant natural landscapes while expanding protected areas and strengthening biodiversity stewardship, CapeNature demonstrates the important relationship between conservation, sustainable tourism and community development.

Commendations: Greenpop, Southern African Wildlife College and Ford Wildlife Foundation.

The power of conservation rooted in community

WESSA Award for Groups

Nature’s Valley Trust – Tsitsikamma

For more than two decades, Nature’s Valley Trust has demonstrated what is possible when conservation is rooted in place and shaped through meaningful community participation.

The organisation is recognised for its contribution to biodiversity conservation, applied research, environmental education and community empowerment along the Garden Route and beyond.

Through science-led conservation and community engagement, NVT Tsitsikamma has shown how local action can create lasting environmental and social impact across diverse ecosystems and communities.

Commendations: KZN Crane Foundation, Litter4Tokens, Korsman Conservancy and Westville Conservancy.

Congratulations to all the 2026 WESSA Conservation Leadership Award recipients, commendations and members of the WESSA community who continue to champion environmental stewardship.

Celebrating the people behind WESSA’s legacy

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

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.

Pictured: Katherine Imrie, WESSA’s Research & Monitoring Coordinator for our Coastal Programme visit to Glen Hill School.

Helping communities act against ghost fishing

On 14 August, WESSA’s Research & Monitoring Coordinator for our Coastal Programme, Katherine Imrie, visited Glen Hill School to hand over a Stop the Strangle certificate of participation, recognising the school’s involvement in the campaign.

The school has two fishing line bins where learners and members of the school community can deposit fishing lines and other fishing gear found in the area. During the visit, learners learnt more about ghost fishing and the risks posed by abandoned fishing gear to marine life.

A bag of fishing gear collected from the surrounding area helped bring the issue to life before learners took part in an interactive exercise demonstrating how marine entanglements can occur.

Building local action along the Wild Coast

Pictured above: Stronger together! Welcoming new partners to the campaign.

Between 12 and 13 August, the Coastal Programme team visited three Green Coast sites in the Mbhashe Municipality – Lubanzi, Qatywa and Cwebe.

The visits provided an opportunity to introduce local stakeholders to the Stop the Strangle campaign and hand over six fishing bins, which were received with enthusiasm.

Pictured: Out on the Wild Green Coast

Being on site also provides an important opportunity to strengthen relationships with communities and partners working in these coastal areas. These local connections are essential for supporting the environmental changes and practical actions needed to keep coastal environments healthy.

Working with municipalities towards more sustainable coastal destinations

On 4 August, the Coastal Team spent the day with colleagues from Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality (BCMM) discussing potential Blue Flag pilot and full-status sites.

The engagement provided an opportunity to explore how BCMM sites could participate in the Blue Flag Programme and potentially join the Green Coast Network in future.

Breaking the process down into practical, actionable steps helped demonstrate that participating in these programmes can be achievable while offering meaningful benefits for the municipality and its coastal destinations.

Connecting data and partnerships to tackle marine pollution

The Coastal Team is also exploring new ways to strengthen the impact of the Stop the Strangle campaign through discussions with the Global Ghost Gear Initiative (GGGI).

The discussions are focused on integrating Stop the Strangle campaign data into the GGGI database, making the information more accessible while helping to amplify the work being done to address abandoned and lost fishing gear.

The team is also continuing to build connections through the Green Coast Implementer Forum. The third forum of 2026 took place on 2 September and featured world-renowned extreme open-water swimmer Sarah Ferguson, who shared her story and the work of her NGO, Breathe Ocean Conservation, in tackling single-use plastic pollution.

Pictured: Breathe Ocean Conservation recently joined the Stop the Strangle network during the Coastal Team’s engagement in Ballito for the Surfing Pro, creating an opportunity to continue sharing knowledge and strengthening collaboration around marine pollution.

Across these activities, the Coastal Team continues to focus on practical action, local partnerships, and shared learning.

From schools collecting fishing gear to municipalities exploring sustainable coastal programmes, these engagements demonstrate how collaboration can help turn environmental challenges into opportunities for action and change.