Involving local communities
Environmental Education
We are reaching out to our surrounding communities, encouraging sustainable land use and the protection of biodiversity.
Leadership course
Young Environmental Ambassadors
We have identified an urgent need to work with rural communities to start action towards sustainable living through environmental education. So we designed the Young Environmental Ambassador’s (YEA) Leadership Course, with ongoing communication afterwards.
The course teaches older children how to look after their communities in a sustainable way that preserves their cultural and natural heritage.
The 5-day programme covers
- Biodiversity protection
- Water & sanitation management
- Animal husbandry
- Leadership skills
Our first outreach priority
False Bay School
When we established Suni-Ridge in 1992, most of the workers on surrounding farms were very poor and there was no school for their children. Providing a school for these children was our first community outreach priority.
Our international SCHOOL Campaign invites school children in developed countries around the world to donate a small amount to the children at False Bay School.
Get involved
Read the story of the school and find out how your class or school can take part.
Culture & conservation
Zulu Cultural Heritage
Preserving cultural heritage is very important, and we are privileged to be closely involved with our local communities.
These photos were taken during a cultural day at Makhasa High School, where Janet Cuthbertson gave a talk on culture, conservation and eco-tourism.
Fresh water for all
Water Catchment Forum
This region’s survival depends strongly on the availability of fresh water. In a drought, the lifeblood of the lake is all used upstream in its catchment, and when rainfall is low no water reaches the lake at all.
There is also often a gap between agricultural water abstraction quotas and the water available to rural communities.
Learn more
Find out how we work with neighbours to protect the False Bay catchment.
Working with our neighbours
Expanding habitat protection around False Bay
We are in the False Bay area of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park (formerly the Greater St Lucia Wetland Park) World Heritage Site. The international conservation requirement for the area, ratified by the South African Government, is that a buffer zone be developed around this valuable ecosystem.
As one of the first wildlife reserves established in this buffer zone, we have already extended our boundaries of protection through the voluntary inclusion of surrounding properties. We aim to link our reserve to others to expand ecological protection and sustainable land use through eco-tourism.
Other properties still need to be linked to the protected area around False Bay. Rainfall here is limited and there are few sustainable land-use options. Given the high conservation status of the area, eco-tourism is one of the most viable – it provides work and income for local communities and protects many species and their habitat.
We would really appreciate your support to help us achieve these goals.
Project
Young Zulu dancers: arts, dance & conservation
Three out of five children in rural South Africa face lives of poverty. Children aged 6 to 14 walk miles from their rural homes to train in Zulu dance and perform outside Hluhluwe Wildlife Park, often with no lunch or shelter from the rain. Our project will provide meals and a studio shelter for arts, dance and conservation, empowering them to become leaders and take their talent nationally.
The challenge
Watching these children express their joy through traditional dance and song, it’s hard to believe most live in poverty and have walked many miles to dance. Tourists’ applause and small tips help their families, but their needs are much greater: shelter from rain and heat, food, and support for their talent.
The solution
More than 80 dancers would receive nourishing meals and shelter. Our expert game guide teaches leadership skills and why culture matters to conservation, building their confidence to become Young Environmental Ambassadors. Although they had never performed on a formal stage, they recently achieved “High Gold” in their first regional contest!
Long-term impact
More than 80 children will be empowered to rise out of poverty with confidence and leadership. Alongside music, art and dance, they’ll learn environmental management and a deep appreciation of culture, then return to their schools to start dance, art and conservation clubs and open up national and international opportunities for their peers.
Help us educate the next generation
Your support helps young people in our communities become the future custodians of their natural and cultural heritage.