Nature Connect

Lifa Nkosi almost lost his diploma over one thing that had nothing to do with his marks.

To graduate with a diploma in nature conservation, students need to complete a full year of hands-on fieldwork, called work integrated learning. It's where the real training happens. It's also where a lot of capable students get stuck. Placements are limited, protective gear and outdoor equipment often aren't funded, and many sites are remote, with no help for transport or accommodation.

Nature Connect gave Lifa a placement at Kenilworth Racecourse Conservation Area, an urban conservation site we manage in partnership with Race Coast in the heart of Cape Town. That meant a mentor on site, day to day supervision, and the protective gear and equipment he needed to do the fieldwork safely, the exact things that trip up students who don't have them.

"I honestly don't think I could have reached this point without the support, guidance, and encouragement I received," he says. "Being part of Nature Connect has made this one of the most meaningful and memorable years of my life."

Twenty-five years in, this is still the work we care most about: making sure a student like Lifa gets the year he needs to finish, and South Africa gets a conservator it needs.

Catch our training manager Petro Botha and educator Anwar Boonzaaier live on Paarl FM (96.7) at 08:10 this morning.

It’s been a big week for media, with Petro also up before the birds for a live Afrikaans interview on Kyknet’s GROOTPlaas (DSTV 144) at 05:30 yesterday. Moments like these matter in our 25th year, helping more South Africans hear directly from the people doing the work of connecting Cape Town to its nature.

Our training manager, Petro Botha, was up before the birds this morning for a live Afrikaans interview on kykNET’s GROOTplaas (DSTV 144) at 05:30.

Media moments like these matter in our 25th year, helping more South Africans hear directly from the people doing the work of connecting Cape Town to its nature.

Well done to everyone flying the flag this week 🥳

Interview link to follow once it’s live on YouTube:

Dr. Petro Botha oor die belangrikheid van groen ekonomie en omgewingsopvoeding | 08 Jul 26 Ons gesels vanoggend met, Dr. Petro Botha oor die belangrikheid van...