An innovative campaign to train environmental watchdogs has emerged on South Africa’s Wild Coast.
Amid habitat loss and severe climate shift, a unique concept to develop environmental watchdogs for the future is taking root along South Africa’s Wild Coast, compliments of an intrepid bunch of wild swimmers.
Already a cohort of young environmental scientists and writers are enrolling on educational Wild Coast hikes and associated Wild & Rugged Envirocamps organised by the environmental journalism training agency, Roving Reporters.
This follows the recent Roving Reporters recent Wild Swim expedition organised in association with the 8 Mile Club.
Since then, a growing number of open water swimmers have taken to the water in both Cape Town and Eastern Cape in support of this Wild Friends fundraising campaign.
>> Read: Pulling out all the strokes to save the Wild Coast
>> Read: Cape Town swimmers join the Wild Friends campaign trail
Wild Friends is a diverse group of people committed to making this world a better place both for nature and for people. We can do this want by protecting the few remaining wild spaces, including the 22km stretch of South Africa’s Wild Coast earmarked for heavy minerals mining by the Australian outfit, Mineral Resource Commodities.
Like Pat Goss, a co-founder of Rand Banking group and former chairman of the Natal Parks Board (now Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife), we respect the right of indigenous land owners to decide what happens on land that is rightfully theirs and believe that effective and sustainable eco-tourism development along the Wild Coast could ultimately be a far more profitable and healthier option than heavy minerals mining for people living along this pristine stretch of coastline.
Mission
Our mission is to raise R250,000 to promote eco-tourism in the area, marine conservation and associated environmental journalism training. The funds we raise will not only be used to develop home-stays along this 22 km eco-tourism route, but also enrol young environmental scientists and writers on educational Wild Coat hikes and associated Wild Wild & Rugged Envirocamps. These camps will enable leading environmental writers, scientists and activists from around to world to explore this unique section of the Wild Coast and run associated fireside workshops at the Mtentu tented camp site.
Target
We have set a target of R250,000 with the funds to be distributed by Kydrin Foundation and the 8 Mile Club as follows:
- R125,000 – Sustaining the Wild Coast and Africa!Ignite: developing eco-tourism in the area)
- R125,000 – WildOCeans and Roving Reporters: enrolment of young environmental scientists and writers on educational Wild Coast hikes and associated Wild & Rugged Envirocamps at the Mtentu tented camp site
You can help us reach this target by donating here
Fundraising partners
Co-founded by Stan Kozlowski and Mervyn Bremner, the 8 Mile Club has raised more than R12 million for various charities since its inception in 2004. Beneficiaries have included the WildTrust (formerly Wildlands Conservation Trust), the Childhood Cancer Association (CHOC), CANSA, the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI), the Dusi-Umngeni Conservancy Trust (DUCT), the Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife Trust, PinkDrive, and Singakwenza – an early childhood education programme.
After raising more than R4 million for various charities at the 2019 aQuellé Midmar Mile, the 8 Mile Club ventured into wilder waters by helping Roving Reporters organise the first Wild Swim expedition.
The 8 Mile Club has since teamed up with Robsons Real Beer in hosting a Wild Friends get together in Durban on Friday July 19 for the first public screening of Gordon Greaves’ documentary on Roving Reporters Wild Swim expedition.
The guest speaker will be Richard Spoor, a renowned human rights attorney who has represented the Xolobeni community since the onset of the heavy minerals mining saga. Three iconic photographs of spectacular Wild Coast landscapes captured on camera by John Costello will be signed and auctioned at the function, along with an autographed copy of Costello’s classic coffee table book, Mkambathi and the Wild Coast, co-authored by Div De Villiers.
Tickets to the Robsons Real Beer fundraiser cost R300 per person. Space is limited to 50 people.
Click here to pay for your ticket and email confirmation of your booking to stan@durbanbfba.co.za, cc to fredk@rovingreporters.co.za and karin@wordsout.co.za. Please use Robsons Real Beer in the subject line
WildOceans, the marine conservation arm of the Wild Trust, is among several organisations supporting the Wild Friends fundraising campaign, and is also a beneficiary.
Two leading Ocean Stewards, Natalie dos Santos and Andile Khuzwayo, and Wild Oceans Project Officer, Masha Ramsamooch, have already been enrolled on educational Wild Coast hikes in June and July, compliments of Roving Reporters and the 8 Mile Club.
>> Read: Marine science student inspired to make film to save the wild coast
Help us enrol more Ocean Stewards on the educational Wild Coast hikes. Donate here
The Ocean Stewards programme helps train young marine scientists. It has been described by Professor George Branch, author of Living Shores and co-author of Two Oceans: a Field Guide to the Marine Life of Southern Africa, as one of the most dynamic marine conservation initiatives to have emerged in South Africa. “It offers a wonderful blend of practical, hands-one experience, training in modern survey methods, and the challenge to think for oneself, as well as the joyous personal friendships that breach barriers across age, race and language.” – Professor George Branch. Read: Beach bum extraodinaire inspires young marine scientists.
Friends of Med-Evac
Founded in 2005, and based in Port Shepstone, Med-Evac, is an accredited and highly skilled emergency rescue service is based in Port Shepstone. As a co-sponsor of The Wild Swim, Med-Evac is providing two safety boats and crew, and only charging for petrol and transport costs. Med-Evac has also pledged to support the The Wild Swim fundraising drive by soliciting donations from friends and associates in the medical fraternity, including doctors, pharmacists and emergency rescue services personnel. For further information about Med-Evac, contact Glen Preston on 071 624 5561, email Glen@medevac.co.za
Fundraising target: R20,000
DONATE HERE
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Africa!Ignite
Africa!Ignite is one of KwaZulu-Natal’s leading rural development agencies. It uses it extensive rural footprint to partner with communities, especially woman and youths, so that they can participate fairly in the economy and society and make their voices heard. Africa!Ignite is extending its footprint to the Wild Coast, and as a co-beneficiary of The Wild Swim, is co-sponsoring the costs accommodating The Wild Swimmers and safety crew at three home stays along the 22 km stretch of the Wild Coast earmarked by heavy minerals mining. Money raised for Africa!Ignite through the Wild Swim will be used to support Sustaining the Wild Coast in upgrading facilities at these eco-friendly home stays. For further information about Africa!Ignite contact CEO Wilna Botha, on 082 828 4994, email wilna@africaignite.co.za or visit their website at www.africaignite.co.za
Fundraising target: R15,000
DONATE HERE
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Sustaining the Wild Coast
Sustaining the Wild Coast works with the Amadiba community to grow tourism and agriculture as sustainable alternatives to mining, and to protect the Pondoland Centre of Endemism and rich cultural heritage of the Amadiba area. As one of the beneficiaries of The Wild Swim, SWC is co-sponsoring the costs of accommodating the Wild Swimmers and safety crew at three home stays along the route. Funds raised for SWC through The Wild Swim will be used to support existing tourism initiatives and develop new eco-tourism ventures in the Amadiba area.
Fundraising target: R15,000
DONATE HERE
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Architects Collaborative
Architects & Urban Designers, Architects Collaborative (est 1986) were the first to pledge R5000 towards the Wild Swim. They have been involved in a number of urban regeneration projects in Durban and are passionately supportive of environmental issues. “We draw the first line!” said co-founder Yusuf Patel in pledging R1,000 within minutes of this fundraising drive going live. Architects Collaborative has set a target of R5,000 in support of the Wild Friends fundraising campaign. For further information about the Architects Collaborative contact Yusuf on 082 786 3707, email yusuf@accc.co.za.
DONATE HERE to help Architects Collaborative reach it’s target.
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E’Yako Green is a creative and innovative small business that is passionate about supporting sustainability in South Africa through the creation of local jobs and the upcycling of waste into functional products. Our core work is to assist other businesses, conferences and events to meet their sustainability targets by supplying green products made from end of campaign advertising billboards and banners. E’Yako Green provided the Wild Swimmers and safety crew with funky E’Yako Green bags and has set a target of R5,000 in support of the Wild Friends fundraising campaign.
Donate here to help E’Yako Green reach its target.
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Wavescape is a South African company in operation since 1998. It publishes www.wavescape.co.za, a surf forecasting and coastal lifestyle website, providing marine forecasts to the surf industry and the public. It also runs the Wavescapes Surf Film Festival, which screens the world’s best surfing and ocean conservation films at outdoor and indoor locations in Durban and Cape Town. Wavescapes’s coastal forecasting model “Wavescape Ocean Watch” is the first of its kind in SA. In supporting The Wild Swim, Wavescape shall provide the Wild Swimmers and the safety crew with detailed forecasts in the week leading up to the swim enabling us to predict the best swimming days over the window period, April 26 – May 2. For more information about Wavescape contact Steve Pike, aka Spike on 082 449 2338, email spike@wavescape.co.za
Fundraising target: R5,000
DONATE HERE
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Nestled on South Africa’s Wild Coast, Mtentu Lodge is perfectly situated to provide an escape from the rat race while not being too isolated. Just a 24km beach hike/cycle or 65km drive from The Wild Coast Sun lies the untamed paradise of Mtentu, certainly one of the most wondrous Wild Coast destinations. If you’re looking for the adventure of a lifetime, or just the chance to breathe in the fresh air of the magnificent Wild Coast, you will find it all here. As an eco-lodge owned in partnership with the local Amadiba Community, a percentage of turnover goes directly back to the community. For more information about Mtentu Lodge, contact Russel Hartshorne on 083 805 3356, email mtentulodge@gmail.com
Fundraising target: R5,000
DONATE HERE
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“One touch of nature makes the whole world kin.” These words from William Shakespeare represent what Sunumbra is about, enabling people to spend time in the sun without fear of scorching their skin. Sunumbra sunscreens are made from plant extracts. Besides being free of toxic chemicals, fully natural, and offering a broad-spectrum of protection, Sunumbra products also include powerful antioxidants to boost immunity against skin cancer. In supporting the Wild Swim, Sunumbra is providing sunscreen to all the Wild Swimmers and safety crew. For more information about Sunumbra, contact Sue Ingram, the CEO of Natural Suncare at sue@natural-suncare.com or Tocara Skin & Body Science, Tel: +27(0)21 702 3617 | info@tocara4.co.za www.tocara4.co.za
Fundraising target: R5,000
DONATE HERE
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Maritime Friends
The maritime industry, and the boating and yachting world in South Africa comprises a diverse range of people with a deep connection to the sea and also suppportive of this bid to save the pristine Wild Coast.
Fundraising target: R5,000
DONATE HERE
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Friends Abroad
Also pledging support for The Wild Swim are all our friends, colleagues and associates living in all far corners of the world, in particular those who have experienced the magic of the Wild Coast – and of course, those who plan to one day.
Fundraising target: R5,000
DONATE HERE
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Amadiba Friends
Amadiba friends includes people all over South Africa with a deep appreciation for the natural splendour of the Wild Coast and its people. Championing the fundraising on this page are Sinegugu Zukulu, a programme manager at Conservation South Africa, Siyabonga Ndovela, the owner of a homestay near the Mtentu estuary, John Costello, co-author of Mkambati and the Wild Coast, and Natalie Abbot of Clear Water Trails. Donors to this page shall be entered into a raffle with the following prizes to be won
- a signed copy of Mkambati and the Wild Coast
- a framed and mounted print of any one of the ten photographs below from John Costello.
Fundraising target: R10,000
DONATE HERE
John Costello’s photos still to be uploaded
