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Bryan Havemann,
National Director of Conservation
email:
bryan@wessa.co.za
When
the Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa (WESSA)
was formed over 80 years ago, two large South African mammals,
the Bluebuck and the Quagga, were extinct and several others
were threatened. At this time the threat was from uncontrolled
hunting, mostly by the early settlers. The beginning of the
Society was thus as a wild animal protection body. Today
WESSA has moved from away from "protection" of wildlife
into a more holistic approach to sustainable and integrated
environmental action.
Over
the years, WESSA has been a motivating force behind many of
South Africa's most significant environmental decisions including:
- The
drafting of the National Parks Act and the formation of
the Kruger National Park.
- Successfully
campaigning against mining at Lake St Lucia and for the incorporation
of the eastern shores of Lake St Lucia into the Greater St
Lucia Wetland Park.
- Publishing
a National Conservation Strategy for South Africa in 1981,
shortly after the global version was produced by the IUCN;
a world first for a non-governmental organisation.
- Winning
a High Court battle to have the rezoning and environmental
approvals for the Paradyskloof development in Stellenbosch
overturned.
- Helping
to uncover corruption and highlighting the importance of
a good Environmental Impact Assessment process around the
Roodefontein Golf and Equestrian Estate proposal.
 Through
their role as environmental watchdogs, WESSA's professional
environmentalists are constantly seeking to prevent further
degradation of our environment. Innumerable environmentally
irresponsible practices and activities have been prevented
and their impacts mitigated by this team of experts. They have
also played and continue to play a significant role in influencing
policy and planning in the environment and development arena
in South Africa.
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