Page 15 - LSA 145_digital

FEATURE

TRANSFORMING LIVES

AND LANDSCAPES

Collaboration between the African Conservation Trust (ACT) and the Social
Employment Fund (SEF) is not only transforming lives and landscapes, but is a

catalyst for meaningful change.

EO of ACT, Francois du Toit says: “As Around 2 500 participants in ACT’s Fostering sustainable futures
one of the strategic implementing SEF projects earn stipends but are ACT’s efforts demonstrate the value of
Cpartners of the SEF, we connect also encouraged to volunteer in their blending social, environmental and economic
unemployed individuals with meaningful communities. Over 67 000 unpaid goals. From repairing eroded landscapes
work that benefits both communities and ‘volunteer days’ have been spent repairing to generating income for underprivileged
ecosystems.” ACT has a large footprint roads, maintaining school grounds and households, the projects reflect a holistic
across four provinces: KZN, Free State, collecting plastic waste. approach to conservation. The SEF
Limpopo and Mpumalanga, and manages In addition, the SEF participants have programme also provides a springboard for
diverse projects. donated more than 38 tons of produce participants to secure permanent roles or
These include community food gardens, to community centres, feeding schemes start sustainable businesses, paving the way
agro-ecological training, invasive species as well as vulnerable households. The for a better future.
eradication programmes, soil erosion projects foster a spirit of service and when “SEF gives discouraged job seekers
rehabilitation, rock art monitoring projects neighbours help each other, they unite purpose,” says du Toit. “It allows them
and energy solutions for small businesses. communities. to support their families and uplift their
All are aimed at building a legacy of communities.”
sustainability in the environmental and Transforming lives As ACT gathers data on the programme’s
conservation sectors. Collaboration with The SEF goes beyond employment and outcomes and explores retail partnerships
traditional structures and community- improves participants’ future career for wood sales, its commitment to creating
based organisations ensures that these prospects through vital work experience, a thriving conservation economy remains
initiatives are local and impactful. alongside building self-worth and steadfast. By investing in people and the
ACT, a 24 year old NGO, is leading providing lifestyle skills. ACT’s agro- planet, ACT is proving that sustainable
a transformative vision for southern ecological training, which includes development benefits everyone.
Africa’s conservation economy. Du Toit ongoing mentoring, provision of tools
explains: “Our goal is a world where and PPE, seedlings and agricultural About SEF
people thrive on a profitable planet by materials, equips individuals to grow The Social Employment Fund was established
investing in our most precious asset organic, chemical-free produce that can by the Presidential Employment Stimulus
– planet earth – through a system that be consumed at home, sold for profit or as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
is socially equitable, environmentally donated to those in need. It has created 140 000 jobs nationwide
restorative and economically just.” On average, each participant’s work since its inception in 2021. The Industrial
supports eight family members, meaning Development Corporation is at its helm as
Food security meets conservation the programme directly and indirectly fund manager.
ACT’s work demonstrates the powerful benefits over 22 000 people.
link between food security and wildlife Participants also develop entrepreneurial About ACT
conservation. In collaboration with skills to secure income beyond the SEF This is a broad-based environmental,
SANParks and the Sabi Sands Pfunanani stipend. In KZN, landscape restoration conservation and heritage organisation,
Trust, it established over 36 community teams clear invasive bush to restore founded in 2000. It implements a diverse
food gardens near the Kruger National grasslands, earning an income from wood range of projects and programmes, with a
Park, benefiting residents and ecosystems. sales and service hire, while improving strong focus on collaboration and bringing
In northern KZN, similar gardens and bush livestock grazing areas. These projects ecological agriculture to communities. ACT
thinning projects enhance habitats near are aligned with local cultural and envisions a world that can sustain human
rhino reserves such as Manyoni, Mkhuzi and environmental priorities, ensuring long- life with abundant natural resources which
Hluhluwe-iMfolozi. term sustainability. people can use to survive and flourish.

ACT permaculture training course SEF participant Bonolo Moloi SEF participant, Khumbulani SEF participants with their seed production
with produce from her garden Ndaba, coordinator for rock art n
site monitoring
Check us out www.salandscape.co.za Landscape SA • Issue 145 2025 13