Blooming brilliant by Friends of Van Stadens

Witteklip resident Siphokazi Mtengwana has just been appointed as a Friends of Van Stadens supervisor, becoming the award winning organisation's first permanent employee
TRAILBLAZER: Witteklip resident Siphokazi Mtengwana has just been appointed as a Friends of Van Stadens supervisor, becoming the award winning organisation's first permanent employee
Image: SUPPLIED

Carefully tended, the partnerships that make up Friends of Van Stadens have flourished, and for the little nonprofit, winning the 2024 The Herald NMU Citizens of the Year Award in the Sustainability Category is the cherry on top.

Friends of Van Stadens (Fovs) co-ordinator Dominick Marshall Smith said the organisation was elated at the news.

“Fovs offers a small example of what SA citizens can do when we stand together in support of wildlife.

“We know we are just a small part of the tapestry of wildlife and wildflowers, trees and fynbos, forest and rivers in this little corner of the Eastern Cape.

“But we know our small numbers can make an out-sized positive impact on people and the planet.

“So we are celebrating the news of this award together, as friends and partners, trying to make a contribution to a legacy for our children that is inclusive, diverse and lasting.”

He said partnership was fundamental to the organisation’s success, in line with the “potjie pot principle... where three legs have to stand together to make the dream work.

“The first leg and key partnership is headlined by the incredible working relationship we enjoy on the reserve with the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality public health directorate, and also their tourism team.

“The second vitally important leg is the local Witteklip community. Two of the four board director seats are held by community representatives, and all governance and responsibilities are shared equally.

“And the third critical leg of the potjie that keeps us all standing is the long list of funders.

“We are humbled by their trust and commitment to our mission. 

“We are proud to share in the duty of protecting and enhancing this extraordinary property and its visitors for generations to come.”

He said the Fovs team was keenly looking forward to the awards gala function in September.

“We’re loving the opportunity to share the news with Herald readers, whom we hope are either first-time, or returning, or about-to-visit visitors to the hidden gem that is the Wildflower Reserve.

“The clean, safe, free-entry and biodiverse environment is growing — and we’re delighted to extend an invitation to a widening audience.

“We’re also happy to demonstrate to supporters and friends that the mission of Fovs to ‘conserve & protect’ is making progress and is being recognised as a sustainable strategy for lasting and inclusive conservation.”

Focusing on new projects, Marshall-Smith said the Flower House Tuckshop — open on weekends and selling water, cooldrinks and snacks — was blooming.

“It has just broken even and is providing an incredible learning experience on entrepreneurship and small, medium and micro-enterprise management for conservation interns.

“All this while serving visitors the deliciousness.”

He said guided walking tours were also meanwhile about to be launched.

Visitor groups of a maximum 15 people at a time would be able to enjoy a walk tailored to their interests and abilities.

The excursions would each last two hours and would cost R150 per group.

“They will be led by an experienced intern brimming with engaging and compelling stories of the plants, trees, birds, arboretum and history of the reserve.”

He said the organisation had also recently launched a YouTube channel and website.

“The other big news is one of our conservation interns, Siphokazi ‘Siphs’ Mtengwana, earned promotion to the role of Fovs supervisor from July 1.

“This marks a milestone as she is the first permanent employee for Fovs in its history, and also marks an exciting development for #womeninconservation.

HeraldLIVE


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