WESSA presents national awards

The Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa (WESSA) has recognised and celebrated Lucas Ngobeni, Dr William Fowlds, Dr Michelle Henley, the SANParks Honorary Rangers and the Glenwood House Environmental Society with the presentation of the organisation's 2013 WESSA National Awards.

The awards ceremony took place at the House of Pharaohs Guest House and conference centre in Bryanston, Johannesburg.

These awards enable WESSA to recognise and honour individuals, corporations, organisations and educational or volunteer groups that have made a significant contribution to environmental conservation or to environmental education in South Africa over a sustained period of time.

Members recognised

Two outgoing WESSA board members, Dr Eureta Rosenberg and Suzanne Erasmus, were also acknowledged at the event for the valuable contributions that they have made to WESSA and for the important role they have played on the organisation's national board. Dr Richard Lewis, chairman of the board, also received special recognition for the vital leadership role he has played as a member of the board for the past ten years, first as vice chair from 2004 to 2009, and then as chair since 2009.

The programme included an address by entrepreneur, businessman and WESSA patron Andile Sangqu, who spoke about the importance of building sustainable partnerships between the environmental sector and government, based on a common vision to leave the world a better place than we found it in.