The Wilderness Foundation was announced as the winner in the Social Entrepreneur category for the 2011 Ernst & Young World Entrepreneur Awards Programme at the ceremony held last night, 17 November 2011.
Wilderness Foundation director, Andrew Muir was one of four finalists selected for the 2011 Ernst & Young World Entrepreneur Awards Programme in the Social entrepreneur category. He was at the ceremony to receive the award.
“This award will help us to build on what has already been established with regards to the Umzi Wethu programme as well as our other social investment programmes. We will have access to the Schwab Foundation’s global network, providing unprecedented opportunities to engage global decision makers,” says Muir.
“I believe that our main strength as a foundation is the integration of social intervention and environmental sustainability. We are not just a conservation-oriented organisation. The Wilderness Foundation recognises that the sustainability of South Africa’s wild lands and wilderness is intrinsically dependant on its social and economic sustainability.”
According to Ajen Sita, CEO for Africa at Ernst & Young, the company has been recognising successful entrepreneurs through the programme for the past 14 years. “We are humbled to be associated with and award these individuals who are making a remarkable difference to our economy and the societies which we operate and live in. We congratulate all finalists for their exceptional performance.”
“Social entrepreneurs are individuals who have created an innovative solution to a seemingly intractable problem facing society. The social enterprises that stand out to us at the Schwab Foundation are those that have been able to build a financially self-sustainable, scalable entity that has already delivered tremendous long term social impact to large number of beneficiaries. I am very excited about the candidates we have received from across Southern Africa as it is a testament to the power of visionary individuals with sound business models to make a transformational positive change in the world”, says Abigail Noble, Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship regional Head for Latin America and Africa.
Two of the main programmes that the Wilderness Foundation focuses on are Social Intervention and Experiential Environmental Education. The Umzi Wethu programme is one of the foundation’s flagship intervention projects. Aimed at displaced and socially vulnerable youth, the three Umzi Wethu academies train young men and women between the ages of 18 and 25 for jobs in the hospitality and eco-tourism sectors.
Umzi Wethu harnesses the power of the wilderness, promotes personal wellness in a nurturing home context, provides credible training, and secures sustainable job placements in the hospitality and eco-tourism industry on behalf of the graduates.
In the area of Experiential Environmental Education, the Wilderness Foundation has established the “Pride” and “Imbewu” projects which were developed to fulfil the need for an environmental education outreach programmes among disadvantaged youth from urban and rural areas.
There are a number of Pride projects in various wilderness areas in South Africa. Since inception in 1996, Pride has introduced over 30,000 previously disadvantaged, primary and senior learners to a one-day, entry-level outdoor experience every year. The experience has been proven to help stimulate the learners’ interest in their immediate natural environment and concern for its preservation and conservation. The Pride trails are led by young, voluntary guides from the surrounding communities. Their leadership skills are identified and nurtured through relevant training in guiding, safety and environmental issues.
The sustained funding of 70% of the Pride project’s running costs has been achieved through the sale of spring water (through Woolworths) which carries the Wilderness Foundation logo. Further funding is gathered from the support of various schools and private enterprises which are passionate about the project.
Imbewu trails are similar to Pride, but are three-day long environmental experiences. Young leaders from disadvantaged backgrounds spend four days and three nights in the heart of South Africa’s nature reserves. On each trail the learners are led by one elder and one SANPARKS Field Ranger. The elders share their accumulated wisdom from lifelong work in the parks and the traditions of their forefathers.
Other nominees in the social entrepreneur category for the Ernst & Young World Entrepreneur Awards Programme included Catherine Wijnberg (The Fetola Foundation), Kim Feinberg (The Tomorrow Trust) and Nicola Leitch (African Queen).
Alan Straton
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