WESSA Awards acknowledges environmental conservation

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Danette Breitenbach

The annual WESSA Awards recognise remarkable achievements in the environmental conservation sector. This year's awards were presented at a ceremony which was held at Hartbeespoort near Pretoria on Saturday, 13 September.

Presented annually since 1974, these awards enable WESSA to recognise and honour individuals, corporations, organisations, and community, 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.

Northern Areas Regional Awards were also presented to Rotary Club of Brits-Hartbeespoort, Andre Botha, Charl du Toit and The Success Academy.

Special award

Furthermore, outgoing WESSA board member, Michael Fischer, was acknowledged at the event for the valuable contribution that he has made to WESSA. Malcolm Powell, who retired as WESSA company secretary earlier this year, received a special award from the chairman of the board, Dr Richard Lewis, for his continued dedication and service to WESSA following his departure as CEO in 2006.

The programme for the day included an early morning visit to Nyoka Ridge Vulture Restaurant, where guest enjoyed the spectacle of the daily vulture feed, as well as talks by two guest speakers. James Clark spoke about the challenges of human wildlife conflict and Power presented a talk on Magaliesberg leopards. Dr Lewis also addressed the guests and emphasised the point that although we face many challenges to our environment, WESSA is well-placed as an organisation to respond to these challenges.