CONSERVATION SOUTH AFRICAIMPACT REPORT 2020-2022
SOUTH AFRICA

Member of the CI Network
1 I CONSERVATION SOUTH AFRICA ANNUAL REPORT 2020–2022

We are intimately interconnected with nature, whether we like it ornot. If we don’t take care of nature, we can’t take careof ourselves.
And as we hurtle towards a population of 10 billion people on thisplanet, we need to go into this future armed with nature as ourstrongest ally.
INGER ANDERSENEXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE UNITED NATIONS ENVIRONMENT PROGRAMME© Envato

be with me

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3 I CONSERVATION SOUTH AFRICA ANNUAL REPORT 2020–2022

R188 million
INVESTED IN THE LAST 3 YEARS TO
PROTECT, MANAGE AND RESTOREECOSYSTEMS THAT DIRECTLY BENEFITVULNERABLE COMMUNITIES.
We’ve not improved ecosystem services
unless we’ve turned them into services
directly accessed by rural communities.
JULIA LEVIN© Envato

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR,CONSERVATION SOUTH AFRICA

4 I CONSERVATION SOUTH AFRICA ANNUAL REPORT 2020–2022

Conservation South Africa supports economic
development that values nature because
people need nature to thrive. Our approach issimple yet transformative.

OUR VISION
A South Africa where growth and development
are catalysed through the sustainablestewardship of nature.

OUR MISSION
Restore and secure key reservoirs of natureacross South Africa for the benefit of all.

OUR ORGANISATION
Conservation South Africa is an independent
affiliate of Conservation International, legally
registered as a Section 18A public benefit
organisation in South Africa. As an affiliate,
Conservation South Africa subscribes to theaspirational vision and mission, strategic
framework, and operational requirements ofConservation International, but is enabled toadapt language and specific policies and goals
to the unique context of South Africa.

BOARD MEMBERS:A MESSAGE FROMTHE CHAIRPERSON
Conservation South Africa has been making
a positive impact on people and nature forover two decades. The last three years,
however, tested everything we thought weknew.
The COVID-19 pandemic brought uncertainty andpressure, but the team met the challenges boldly.
We strengthened our partnerships with government,
traditional authorities, the private sector and fellow
NGO’s and we experienced an unexpected period of
growth.
Despite many personal and professional losses, wedoubled our year-on-year investment. Throughout the
COVID-19 period and beyond, we expanded our field
operations and grew our staff complement from 42 to100.
We help protect 150 thousand hectares and 75% of
our budget goes directly to strengthening vulnerable
hundreds of local communities and households. By reestablishing nature and local ecosystems we ensure
access to water, fodder and jobs in a continuous
virtuous circle.

We decentralised our activities and brought grassroots
conservation champions onto our payroll throughvillage-based staffing and initiatives – reducing ouroverhead costs and allowing us to continue to worksafely throughout the pandemic.
The COVID 19 pandemic changed us for the better.
It forced us to work more collaboratively, more
dynamically and at a larger scale.
Our work has unleashed science and shown thatscientists, conservationists and communities haveintertwined goals that depend on one another. Thisemphasises the fact that people need nature to thriveand underpins the need for our mission to createa South Africa where growth and development arecatalysed through the sustainable stewardship ofnature.
I would like to thank everyone who has contributed
to CSA’s mission, from our staff and partners to ourdonors and investors. Your support and dedication
have kept us inspired on our journey towards amore sustainable future. I look forward to continuing
this journey with all of you as we work together toconserve our precious natural world for the benefit ofpeople.
SIMON SUSMAN
Chairperson, Conservation South Africa

6 I CONSERVATION SOUTH AFRICA ANNUAL REPORT 2020-2022

CONSERVATION SOUTH AFRICA
Simon Susman
Chairperson

COVID-19 has killed hundreds ofthousands of people and infected
millions.

A growing body ofresearch, including
research by Conservation
International scientists,
points to a direct link
between the destructionof nature and disease
outbreaks — spotlighting therole of protecting and restoring
nature in preventing future
pandemics.

IMPACT OF CORONAVIRUS ON NATURECONSERVATION INTERNATIONAL WEBSITE

Independent Directors:
Loyiso Pityana-Ndlovu
Owen Henderson
Professor Peliwe Lolwana
Dr Reuel Khoza
M Sanjayan
CEO, Conservation International
Michael O-Brien Onyeka,
Conservation International Senior
Vice-president, Africa Field
Division (outgoing)
Suzanne Ngo-Eyok
Conservation International Senior
Vice-president, Africa Field
Division (incoming)
Lee Gillespie White
Conservation International
General Counsel
Julia Levin
Executive Director,
Conservation South Africa

Securing the health of Earth’s climate,ecosystems and biodiversity is essential to thesurvival of all people.
The world now recognises that environmental collapse will not
only disproportionately affect marginalised people, but touch allcommunities, all businesses, all consumers, all governments, allvoters.
PETER SELIGMANNCHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD, CONSERVATION INTERNATIONAL© Envato

you need me now more than ever

COMPASSIONATE, CONSCIOUS, INCLUSIVE, DIVERSEA MESSAGE FROM
THE TEAM
Nature is important to people in different
ways. Clean rivers, springs and wetlands
ensure our water security and whenrangelands are properly managed, andfree from invasive plants, they provide foodfor our livestock to sustain our livelihoods.
The idea of nature supporting us iscentral to our community-centred work inunderserved areas of rural southern Africa.
At CSA our focus has shifted in recent years
from biodiversity to climate change. It is widely
acknowledged that a possible 1.5 degree increase in
the average global temperature is very likely to cause
the extinction of many species and will also have many
negative consequences for people.
To avoid the worst effects of climate change we needto halve emissions by 2030. Although a just transition
to a low-carbon economy would help us reducegreenhouse gas emissions and limit temperature rises,
as agreed upon in the Paris Agreement, we will not get
close to its targets if we disregard nature. Science tells
us nature is 30 percent of the solution to removing
carbon from the atmosphere, which is why we work toprotect, restore and manage nature towards the goalof a stable climate.

We need to take action now. People are beginning tograsp the urgency of protecting and conserving our
natural resources; loss of biodiversity, degradation ofnatural habitats, and climate change have far-reaching
and long-lasting consequences for our planet and forpeople.
To address these challenges takes a bold approach:landscape-level, human-centered conservation to
manage and restore entire ecosystems – working
closely with partners and drawing deeply on bothscience and indigenous knowledge.
Working with local communities and otherstakeholders to develop sustainable and effective
conservation strategies leaves a lasting impact that
extends beyond our specific projects or initiatives. By
adopting a more holistic and integrated approach toconservation that takes into account the needs of bothpeople and nature, we are reimagining conservation.
To our donors, and members of our team, I would liketo express my deepest gratitude and appreciation
for your unwavering support, and dedication to CSA’s
mission over the past three years.
JULIA LEVIN, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR,CONSERVATION SOUTH AFRICA
AND THE CSA TEAM

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MEET OUR TEAM

75%
OF SOUTH AFRICA’S SOIL CARBONIS STORED IN RANGELANDSCONTENTSA MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIRPERSON–––––––––––––––––– 6

RESTORED RANGELANDSCAN STORE 0.8 TO 2.5 TONS MORE
SOIL CARBON PER HECTARE
OVER 10 YEARSA MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR–––––––––––– 10
MEET OUR TEAM–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 11
A NEW WAY TO PROTECT NATURE––––––––––––––––––––– 14
WHERE WE WORK–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 16
HOW WE WORK––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 18
REIMAGINING TOGETHER–––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 23
PEOPLE NEED NATURE TO THRIVE––––––––––––––––––––– 28
HOW COMMUNITIES ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 29
MAKE A DIFFERENCE––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 29
INTO AFRICA–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 33
WORK WITH NATURE––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 35
NATURE’S NURTURERS–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 38
WOMEN IN RANGELANDS –––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 41
NEW HORIZONS––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 43
TIME TO ACT: CLIMATE SCIENCE––––––––––––––––––––––– 46
PUBLICATIONS–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 48
INVESTMENT AND AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS––––––– 50
OUR DONORS––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 52© Jaques van Rooyen

OUR PARTNERS––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 55

© Envato

A NEW WAYTO
PROTECT
NATURETOGETHEROUR ONLY HOME

LONGEVITY

WHAT WE NEED

It will take a collaborative effort toavoid temperature change by 2030.

Rangelands cover 80% ofSouth Africa and about
45% of Africa and havemassive potential forstabilising the climate andsupporting livelihoods.

Sustained action is basedon support for naturepositive, vulnerable
economies. Jobs for
Nature provides long-term
livelihoods and careersthat motivate people torestore, manage and protect
ecosystems​.

Supportive policies,
spatial plans and funds
to embed our efforts
and ensure government,
traditional authorities,
communities and theprivate sector implement
responses at scale.

We need to work with each otherand with nature.

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LIMPOPOGAUTENGMPUMALANGAESWATININORTHWESTKWAZULU-NATAL

FREE STATENORTHERN CAPELESOTHOEASTERN CAPE

© Envato

WESTERN CAPE

WHERE WE WORK
© xxxx

We support improved management of 4 million
hectares of communal rangelands through ourlandscape demonstrations in the Namakwa District,
Alfred Nzo District and the Kruger to Canyons
Biosphere.
These sites fall within the globally important Succulent Karooand Maputaland-Pondoland-Albany biodiversity hotspots. Our
technical, policy and fundraising support offices are in Cape
Town and Johannesburg.

16 I CONSERVATION SOUTH AFRICA ANNUAL REPORT 2020-2022■ NAMAKWA■ KRUGER TO CANYONS (K2C)■ UMZIMVUBU CATCHMENT

Area: 12,683,600 hectares

Area: 1,073,100 hectares

Area: 2,874,800 hectares

Location: Namakwa District
Municipality in the Northern Cape
province within the Succulent Karoo
Biodiversity Hotspot ■Location: Western border of Kruger National Park into
Limpopo and Mpumalanga provinces. Part of the site
falls within the Maputaland–Pondoland–Albany Hotspot ■Location: The Alfred Nzo District Municipality andthe area that runs along the northern boundaryof the Eastern Cape Province. It extends fromthe Lesotho escarpment to the northern Wild
Coast adjacent to the Indian Ocean within the
Maputaland–Pondoland–Albany Hotspot ■17 I CONSERVATION SOUTH AFRICA ANNUAL REPORT 2020-2022

HOW WE WORKCONSERVATION REIMAGINED
sawubona

Conservation South Africa works with government
and partner communities towards a morecompassionate, conscious, inclusive and diverse
approach to conservation that prioritises rural
women and youth in all aspects of landscapegovernance and amplifies the voices of those mostvulnerable to climate change.
Nature is our first line of defence against climate impacts; when
we HEAR what nature is saying we know what to do to restore
and protect it. We also LISTEN to one another to understandthe experiences of others, learn from them and then DISCUSS
ways to change the status quo.
Together we can LOOK at how to address broader social andeconomic issues like poverty and inequality and how to improve
our resilience to climate change. With our heads together we
can IMAGINE how things can be better for nature and people.

THINGS WE DO■■ Science-based research to inform conservation policies anddecisions.

Channelling climate
finance to theground is not easy.

© MM Pictures

SOUTH AFRICAN
NATIONAL BIODIVERSITYINSTITUTE (SANBI)
Quoted in: Taking adaptation
to the ground. A storyof accessing climate
finance through a Small
Grants Facility to support
ecosystem-based adaptation
18 I CONSERVATION SOUTH AFRICA ANNUAL REPORT 2020–2022■■ Sustainable land-use practices to reduce habitat loss anddegradation.
■■ Education and public awareness campaigns to raiseawareness and promote behaviour change.
■■ Partner with organisations and initiatives that prioritiseeffectiveness and impact.
■■ Technology and innovation to enhance conservation
efforts, using remote sensing and artificial intelligence.
■■ International cooperation and partnerships to address
global conservation challenges.

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© Jacques van Rooyen

we’re in this together

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NATURE-BASED SOLUTIONSTO CLIMATE CHANGE
support people
to restore rangelands
with methods that
protect nature andpromote prosperity

REIMAGINING
TOGETHER
NATURE-POSITIVE LANDMANAGEMENTAt the core of responsible governancethat strives to protect, manage and restore
ecosystems are the stewards of the land –the farmers, and the communities they live
in and work with.
Support for policy that favours long-term, scalable
benefits for nature and for people begins withdiscussions about sustainable rangeland practices.
Once these have been agreed on, a grazing
association – a group of farmers who organise aroundgrazing rights – signs a conservation agreement toimplement rangeland practices that are informed byscience and indigenous knowledge, in exchange forreceiving benefits that will improve their livelihoods.
Grazing associations also work with traditional
authorities who help identify vulnerable people incommunities and leverage community buy-in relating
to good rangeland management practice. They also
promote the positive impact these practices haveon livelihoods and support the spatial planning work
being carried out, for example, through the Climate
Positive Land-Use Strategy (CPLUS) tool being piloted
at Mnisi in the K2C landscape.

© Envato

Conservation South Africa has established links
with government bodies starting with small local
municipalities and the district municipalities that theyfall under. Municipalities are responsible for delivering
services and development in their jurisdiction. Working
with them builds capacity and creates awareness ofclimate, biodiversity and freshwater issues.

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Whether we like it or not, weare locked in an ancientdialogue with the creaturesthat share our world, andwe’re only just starting tounderstand the words theyuse.
ED YONG

I CONTAIN MULTITUDES: THE
MICROBES WITHIN US AND A
GRANDER VIEW OF LIFEOUR LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND
COMMUNITY PARTNERS IN SOUTH AFRICA

LIMPOPO
Bushbuckridge
Local Municipality
Ehlanzeni
District
Municipality

We support governance at all levels to enable decisionmaking that protects, manages and restores ecosystems
to benefit nature and people.

NORTH-WEST

The starting point is engaging with communities on the ground toestablish valuable links between people, traditional authorities,
community leaders and government to improve our knowledge of thearea, its potential and its challenges.

NORTHERN CAPEMPUMALANGAFREE STATEKWAZULU-NATALLESOTHO

Nama Khoi
Local Municipality
Kamiesberg
Local Municipality

GAUTENG

Matatiele Local Municipality

Namakwa
District
Municipality

Umzimvubu Local Municipality
Ntabankulu Local Municipality

EASTERN CAPE

Alfred Nzo
District
Municipality

WESTERN CAPENAMAKWA DISTRICTMUNICIPALITY:

EHLANZENI DISTRICTMUNICIPALITY:

ALFRED NZO DISTRICTMUNICIPALITY:

Nama Khoi Local Municipality

Bushbuckridge Local Municipality■■ Steinkopf Bulletrap Cooperative■■ Mnisi Traditional Authority

Kamiesberg Local Municipality■■ Amashangaan Traditional Authority​■■ Vooruitkyk Cooperative, Nourivier​■■ Jongilanga Traditional Authority​■■ Leliefontein Ontwikkelings
Kooperasie■■ Moraba Traditional Authority

Matatiele Local Municipality ■■ Bakoena Traditional Authority
Umzimvubu Local Municipality■■ Ludidi Traditional Authority​■■ Amahlubi Traditional
Ntabankulu Local Municipality■■ Saamwerk Bewarings Inisiatief,
Kharkams​■■ ba Pedi Dinkwanyane Traditional
Authority (with our partner, the K2C
Biosphere)© Envato■■ Sekisonki Women’s Group,Spoegrivier■■ Badikwenyana Traditional Authority

TALK TRIBAL AUTHORITIES AND COMMUNITY LEADERS
Establishing links with local leaders is critical to conservation – particularly if traditional or culturalconnections to the land and its resources are strong – and can provide unique perspectives andinsights into ways to make conservation more effective.
■■ As stewards of the land, they use their knowledge, practices, and values to help manage natural
resources in sustainable and culturally appropriate ways which includes practices such as
rotational grazing and the best methods to manage vegetation.

WE
WORK WITH:■■ They work with conservation organisations and government agencies to create protected areas,such as national parks or community conservancies, that recognise and respect indigenous rights
and cultural practices while conserving biodiversity.

GRAZINGASSOCIATIONS■■ They help enforce laws and regulations related to conservation and natural resource
management, using their knowledge of the land and community relationships to detect and deter
illegal activities.

38
5■■ They engage in education and outreach efforts to raise awareness, working to empower andengage local communities in conservation efforts and climate change mitigation.

KRUGER TO
CANYONS© Envato

Our community-levelapproach includes
supporting self-sufficientmanagement by setting
up internet connections
at the office of the Mnisi
Traditional Authority
and for youth, as wellas accompanying themon trips into protectedareas to show them theimportance of communal
rangelands and showcase
the value of nature.

UMZIMVUBUNAMAKWAWe have worked withthe traditional authorities,
community leaders andmunicipal officials to pilot
mobile sheep shearing
in Boiteko, to implement
ongoing volunteer clearing
of invasive wattle in
Mvenyane, and to provide
a storage container forequipment.

We have continued our work to extend
the range of our stewardship programmein the Kamiesberg to 11,000 ha byincluding farmers from Paulshoek, and byincreasing the number of stewards in the
Steinkopf Bulletrap Cooperative from 17
to 51, through the signing of conservationagreements. We’ve also had theopportunity to celebrate our stewards in
Klein Nouriver who were the recipients offarming equipment worth R150,000 in the2022 Toyota Communal Farmer of theYear competition.

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COOPERATIVES

9
TRADITIONALCOUNCILS

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HEALTHY AFRICAN RANGELANDSPEOPLE NEED
NATURE TO THRIVE

Climate change isa threat multiplier.
Things like poverty,
conflict, harvest
failures, foodshortages, energy
shortages, they’re
all interconnected.

Around 490 million people in Africa live
below the extreme poverty line,1 despite
its wealth of forests, savannas, lakes
and pristine coastlines. To boost rural
livelihoods so that people and nature
can thrive, we need new models toregenerate and protect nature at a scalethat accommodates natural movements
and promotes real rural development forthe people who live in close proximity towildlife.

HOW COMMUNITIESMAKE A DIFFERENCEHECTARES UNDER IMPROVEDMANAGEMENT BY COMMUNITIES

150,000
3
6

GAIA VINCE

NOMAD CENTURY: HOW
CLIMATE MIGRATIONWILL RESHAPE OUR
WORLD

The Herding for Health programme uses herding
and livestock management to regenerate Africa’s
rangeland ecosystems and enhance climate
resilience in the communities that depend on them.
Communities sign Conservation Agreements withsite-specific good practice defined by scientific andtraditional knowledge. Collective grazing, strategic
grazing, herding and corralling are implemented byprofessional herders called “ecorangers”. Participating
farmers receive training and access to markets withkey market readiness interventions (legal requirements
and market systems) to ensure income flow.

DISTRICTMUNICIPALITIES38CONSERVATIONAGREEMENTS SIGNEDLOCALMUNICIPALITIES
WITH

1,223
STEWARDSHIPFARMERS
OF WHICH

280
ARE
WOMEN

https://unctad.org/press-material/facts-and-figures-7

28 I CONSERVATION SOUTH AFRICA ANNUAL REPORT 2020–2022© MM Pictures

1

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ACT GRAZING ASSOCIATIONS
Grazing associations are groups of
farmers or herders who pool theirresources to manage a piece of land
for grazing.
In South Africa, small-scale livestock farmers
use communally owned or leased land, andassociation members agree on rules andregulations for grazing their animals.
Grazing associations support the livelihoods ofsmall-scale livestock farmers and for promoting
sustainable use of natural resources.
Meat Naturally Pty’s science-based communal
grazing systems leverage government job
creation programmes and market interest in
sustainable meat to improve water and foodsecurity and access to livelihoods. They provide
a scalable vehicle for African communal farmers
to enter into a growing market for sustainably
produced, grass-fed meat.

HOW LIVELIHOODSWERE IMPROVEDLIVESTOCKAUCTIONS

938

31
15,500FARMERSSOLD CATTLE© MM PicturesVACCINATIONS ADMINISTERED TO LIVESTOCK

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INTO AFRICA
The Herding for Health programme piloted in collaboration with the Mnisi
Tribal Authority in the Kruger to Canyons demonstration site is beingrolled out on 7 million hectares across Botswana, Kenya, Mozambique,South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
This joint intiative, developed by Conservation International and Peace
Parks Foundation, has been successfully tested across all key rangeland
ecosystems (semi-arid shrublands, mountain grasslands, and subtropicalsavannas). The programme is being supported by $150 million in sitebased investments mainly from international institutions such as theGreen Climate Fund and Agence Française de Développement.

INDICATORS TO BE TRACKED© Jacques van Rooyen• Restoration of vegetation cover and vegetation
diversity of rangelands• Improved livestock quality• Number of livestock keeping households adopting
climate smart livestock systems• Number of people that are fully employed
and partly employed to provide tourism andconservation related services• Number of people benefitting from nature-friendly
enterprises including sustainable livestock, tourism
and agriculture (disaggregated by gender)

Contact

MIKE GROVER | mgrover@conservation.org
www.conservation.org/south-africa
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This document benefits from the support of the French Development Agency.
However, the ideas and opinions presented do not represent necessarily those of AFD.
PHOTOS: ©TROND LARSEN, ©COURTESY OF CONSERVATION SOUTH AFRICAJOBS FOR NATURE

WORK WITH
NATURE
Our Jobs for Nature programme
supports women and youth with shortterm employment opportunities togain experience in conservation andrestoration initiatives, helping them totransition to climate-smart career paths,
while also enabling us to take our naturebased solutions to scale through strategic
partnerships.

RESTORE
By clearing alien vegetation Jobs for Nature restoresrangelands and gives people access to drinking
water and land for grazing their livestock.

MONITORJobs for Nature enables ongoing monitoring andevaluation of environmental indicators of changeusing best practice methods.

PROTECT
By managing and restoring our natural resources,
Jobs for Nature is supporting the protection of
biodiversity.

SUSTAIN© MM Pictures

Jobs for Nature promotes and supports sustainable
farming practices that protect soil health andbiodiversity.

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1,386
GREEN JOBS

535

PEOPLETRAINED IN FINANCIAL
LITERACY AND
MANAGEMENT

3,900
YOUNG
PEOPLEENGAGED IN
VALUES-BASEDENVIRONMENTAL
AWARENESSWARRIORS FOR WATER

A CLEARING CULTURE

The uMzimvubu is one of South Africa’s
few remaining near-natural rivers,
flanked from source to sea by a uniquematrix of grassland, forest, thicket anddune vegetation – some of the most
biodiverse in the world. It serves morethan a million people with water; andsupports food security and livelihoods.

On a visit to one of the villages
during the COVID-19 pandemic
the mayor of Matatiele Local
Municipality saw hundreds ofpeople walking to work and wastold they were going to clear
wattle.

Overgrazing, erosion, invasive vegetation,
mismanaged veld fires and draining of wetlands
for commercial farming have rendered its fragile
ecosystems vulnerable to loss of biodiversity.
Longer dry periods and extreme flooding are also
making life harder for the people who rely on theriver and the land that surrounds it.
Our WASH (water, sanitation and health) activities in
the catchment have aimed to restore and protect
the watershed, while also raising awarenessin hygiene education and supporting local
communities with spring protection, and sanitation
and water storage systems.

PEOPLE WITH IMPROVEDACCESS TO WATER

613

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In all five villages there wasincreased knowledge ofthe relationship between
rangelands, clean water fromspring rehabilitation in thecatchment, and the importanceof taking care of these valuable
resources for their daily needs.
MOST SIGNIFICANT CHANGE, WASH IN
WATERSHEDS, EASTERN CAPE, SOUTH
AFRICA

WHAT INTERVIEWEES SAID■■ Access to water increased in almost
every community.
■■ Fences protected springs fromcontamination.
■■ Grazing areas cleared of vegetation
were easier to access and monitor.
■■ Communities relearnt hygiene habits
and ways to protect themselves
against disease, particularly during the
COVID-19 pandemic.
■■ People were safer from criminals after
the wattle was cleared.

I was shocked to see so many
people carrying their lunchboxes and walking quickly insmall groups so early in themorning. The scene reminded
me of people rushing to catchthe train to go to work. I asked
my team, ‘Where are all thesepeople going? There are nojobs here.’ They told me about
the project, and I was amazedat how much excitement andenergy it was creating acrossthe entire ward in such adifficult time
SONWABILE MNGENELA
Mayor of Matatiele Local Municipality
Eastern Cape, South Africa

In one ward in Alfred Nzo District
Municipality, where 770 jobs were createdduring a six-month clearing project,community members had enough resources
and cash to rebuild when houses weredamaged by a flood.

37 I CONSERVATION SOUTH AFRICA ANNUAL REPORT 2020–2022

BENEFITS FORPEOPLE AND NATURE
HECTARES CLEARED

2,310

1,821

489

INITIAL CLEARINGFOLLOW-UP CLEARINGPEOPLE EMPLOYED

770
37%

53%

WOMEN

HOUSEHOLDS WITH AN
INCOME FROM WATTLE
CLEARING

500
PEOPLE OPENED FIRST-TIMEBANK ACCOUNTS770
PEOPLE TRAINED ON
RESTORING NATURE

735

YOUTH

926
PEOPLE TRAINEDON BASIC CONTROL OF ALIENINVASIVE PLANTS

1
FIRE MANAGEMENT INITIATIVE TO MANAGE
FIRE RISKS OF DRY WATTLE WOOD© Envato

NATURE’S NURTURERS
WOMEN LEAD CONSERVATION
LISTEN TO WOMEN
All over South Africa, women are
the primary users and managers ofrangelands. They collect water andfuelwood, feed their families andlook after livestock. For effective,
sustainable conservation strategies
we need the knowledge and viewsof these women.
Women empowered with accessto education, resources anddecision-making roles promote
gender-equitable and inclusive
rangeland management andresearch shows that conservation

Women are often more invested in the long-term outcomesof conservation efforts, have a better understanding of
local social and ecological systems, and can mobilise
communities towards conservation goals.

A WAY OF LIFE
initiatives that include women, havea higher likelihood of success andsustainability. Women are often
more invested in the long-term
outcomes of conservation efforts,
have a better understanding of local
social and ecological systems, andcan mobilise communities towards
conservation goals.
Women-led conservation initiatives,
such as those that focus onsustainable grazing, restorationof degraded rangelands, orwater management, can also

38 I CONSERVATION SOUTH AFRICA ANNUAL REPORT 2020–2022

create employment opportunities
for women and improve theirsocio-economic status. Moreover,engaging women in conservation
can contribute to their empowerment
and gender equality, leading tobroader benefits for society as awhole.
Women can bring valuable insights
and perspectives to rangelandconservation efforts, and theirempowerment and inclusion are
critical to achieving sustainable andeffective conservation outcomes.

Communal farmers in Namaqualand,a semi-arid region of Northern Cape
province, South Africa, have longdepended on raising livestock tosupport themselves. But this way oflife is threatened by the destructionof nature: overgrazing, soil erosion,and ploughing and draining of
critical wetlands.
In conservation agreements with
communal farmers, youth andemerging entrepreneurs commit tosustainable grazing, water and stock
management, and predator control.

SPACE FOR WOMENIn return, Conservation South Africa
provides infrastructure such as
water pumps and facilitates accessto markets for livestock sales.
Implementing sustainable grazing
and monitoring regimes brings
opportunities for employment to thecommunity.
Conservation South Africa also
trains farmers in livestock handling,grazing and wetland management,
restoration methods, and non-lethal
predator control.

39 I CONSERVATION SOUTH AFRICA ANNUAL REPORT 2020–2022

Funding has enabled us to integratea systematic focus on gender equity
into our programme and address
the lack of earning opportunities for
women in the area.
Our programme develops womenleaders, builds skills, educates,
and creates job and business
opportunities.

LOOK WOMEN AND YOUTH
ON THE MARGINSWOMEN IN RANGELANDS© Conservation South Africa

More than 750,000 of the 1.1 million people who live in Northern
Cape Province are under the age of 35. Although this is goodnews from a labour force perspective, employment opportunites
in this vast, semi-arid land are limited and most people in rural
Namaqualand depend on the natural environment for theirlivelihoods.
ROSY FORTUIN has lived in Nourivier near Leliefontein in
Kamiesberg Local Municipality all her life; like many other rural
locations all over the world, the people here are marginalised andeconomically excluded. As a steward and a livestock farmer she ispassionate about the changes Conservation South Africa and Yes
4 Youth have made in her community.

280

818

399

WOMEN COSIGNEDCONSERVATIONAGREEMENTSWOMEN TRAINEDIN RANGELAND
MANAGEMENTJOBS FORYOUNG WOMENGENDER PROGRAMME

She talks with authority about the connection between land, water,
livestock and people and the skills young people are gaining
through training programmes introduced in the area.
Rosy farms with sheep and with indigenous Northern Cape
Speckled goats – spikkelbokke or skilder goats – which she saystread gently on the fragile vegetation they graze and are alsoable to graze across a much wider area because of their ability toclimb. Watch the video here.
Like many other young women in Namaqualand, TAYLIN LINKS
left school to help support her family. She tried working in thecity but eventually returned to her village where she was offeredan opportunity to work on one of Conservation South Africa’s
natural resource management projects. As a supervisor in ouryouth rangelands project Taylin is a role model who mentors otheryoung women to strengthen the local legacy of nurturing nature.

© Conservation South Africa

IMPACT ACROSS ALL 3 LANDSCAPESNAMAKWA DISTRICT MUNICIPALITY

35

38

86

7

202

WOMEN COSIGNEDCONSERVATIONAGREEMENTS

TRAININGSTARGETINGWOMEN

JOBS FORYOUNG WOMENWOMENSUPERVISORSWOMENRECEIVEDTECHNICALSUPPORT

LIGHTFOOTNORTHERN CAPESPECKLED GOAT
The speckled goat or spikkelbok
originated in the arid interior of theNorthern Cape where it is favoured by
pastoralists because it can negotiatedifficult terrain, which increases its
grazing range. Its light hooves are alsokinder to vulnerable ecosystems.
40 I CONSERVATION SOUTH AFRICA ANNUAL REPORT 2020–2022

NAMAKWA
DISTRICTMUNICIPALITY

Women are the caretakers wewish to see involved in these
activities; growing as people
who have some control over thedestiny of their resources.
MALINDA GARDINERSTEWARDSHIP MANAGERCONSERVATION SOUTH AFRICA

41 I CONSERVATION SOUTH AFRICA ANNUAL REPORT 2020–2022

NEW HORIZONSA STRATEGY FORPROTECTING OUR OCEANS

The South African Oceans Economy
programme estimates that by 2033
oceans and coasts can boost GDP by up
to R177 billion and create up to a million
jobs.1
Proper planning, and public-private partnerships,
underpinned by sustainable management andprotection, can unlock its riches and benefit natureand people.

A DEEP DIVE
Between 2014 and 2019, three marine protectedareas were proclaimed along South Africa’s West
Coast in the Namakwa District and in 2022 South
Africa released its first national spatial biodiversity
plan for the marine and coastal environment.
Research conducted by Conservation South Africa
in Saldanha Bay and Langebaan revealed many
opportunities for innovative conservation financemechanisms​

https://www.dffe.gov.za/projectsprogrammes/operationphakisa/
oceanseconomy

42 I CONSERVATION SOUTH AFRICA ANNUAL REPORT 2020–2022© Envato1

43 I CONSERVATION SOUTH AFRICA ANNUAL REPORT 2020–2022

AFRICA’S FIRST SEASCAPE
We are also exploring the possibility of developing
Africa’s first seascape along the West Coast in theunique Benguela Current. A seascape is a networkof marine protected areas where governments,
private organisations and other key stakeholders
work together to conserve the diversity andabundance of marine life and promote human wellbeing. The world’s five existing seascapes cover
more than a hundred marine protected areas andsurrounding waters.
In the “bottom-up” seascape planned for the
Northern Cape province, small-scale fishers arelinked and managed locally with terrestrial systems
and protected areas where Conservation South
Africa already has a footprint. Kelp forests alsopresent blue carbon opportunities; seaweeds(including kelp) are thought to sequester nearly 200
million tonnes of carbon dioxide a year.

POLICY FOR OCEANS© Envato

Conservation South Africa has engaged withgovernment through a collaboration around theConvention on Biological Diversity to assist in
developing policy to support the global goal of
30% protection of both marine and terrestrial
systems by 2030. Conservation South Africa also
aims to demonstrate the value of other effective
conservation measures (OECMs) to be locallymanaged through this goal.

44 I CONSERVATION SOUTH AFRICA ANNUAL REPORT 2020–2022

45 I CONSERVATION SOUTH AFRICA ANNUAL REPORT 2020–2022

NATURAL CLIMATE SOLUTIONSTIME TO ACT:
CLIMATE SCIENCE

The CPLUS tool reveals how land is used andlooks at changes with the potential to increasecarbon sequestration. The tool will enable us toexpand our Herding for Health model that was
initiated at our three landscape demonstrationsin the Kruger to Canyons, Umzimvubu andNamakwa, thereby expanding our work to
manage, restore and protect rangelands while
enhancing resilient livelihoods for more people.

To stabilise global temperatures, achieve net zero greenhouse gas
emissions by 2030, and increase carbon capture by 2050, we needto fast-track natural climate solutions. Tools like the Climate Positive
Land Use Strategy (CPLUS) enable local municipal and communityled implementation of our rangelands work. Traditional authorities,
community leaders, farmers and local government can now identify,
design and implement appropriate land-use actions that will promotesustainable development, agriculture, conservation, and restoration work.

Gt CO2 e
1.0

NODEFORESTATION
SUPPLY CHAINS

CLIMATE-CRITICALPROTECTED AREAS

The natural climate solutions in the
diagram below are colour-coded
according to whether they
PROTECT, MANAGE or RESTORE.

CPLUS also weights our proposals withmaterial evidence to unlock novel financing
opportunities. It is also opening up even more
possibilities as it is expanded to the Greater
Kruger landscape and other South African
landscapes.

3.3 Gt CO2et CO2 e
1.1 G

ACTION TRACKS

tC
1.5 G O2 e

IPLC RIGHTSAND RESOURCES

1.9 Gt CO2 e

1.9 Gt CO2e

2.5 Gt CO2 e

Gt CO2 e
0.8
CLIMATE-SMART
FORESTRY

CLIMATE-SMARTGRAZING

CLIMATE-SMART
FARMINGFOREST
AND WETLANDRESTORATIONDIET SHIFTAND FOOD WASTE

3.6

Gt C O e by 2 05 0

© Envato2

46 I CONSERVATION SOUTH AFRICA ANNUAL REPORT 2020–2022

47 I CONSERVATION SOUTH AFRICA ANNUAL REPORT 2020–2022

PUBLICATIONSArena G., Hoffman M.T., van der Merwe H., O’Connor T.G.
(2023) Expansion of the Grassland Biome in the eastern
Karoo corresponds with changes in rainfall and livestocknumbers. African Journal of Range & Forage Science, 40:1,
1-19, DOI: 10.2989/10220119.2023.2175035​

2. Hawkins H.-J., Mgwali N., Vetter S. (2022) Effects of shortduration kraaling depend on initial conditions in a mesic
grassland. African Journal of Range & Forage Science.
https://doi.org/10.2989/10220119.2021.2012716​
3.

4.

Hawkins H.-J., Minnie L., van Niekerk H.N., de Waal H.O.,
Balfour D., Kerley G.I.H. (2023) Shepherding Is Not a Shotin the Dark: Evidence of Low Predation Losses from theNorthern Cape Province of South Africa. African Journal ofRange & Forage Science 1–12. ​Momberg M., Haw A.J., Rajah P., van Rooyen J., Hawkins H.-J.
(2023) Kraals or bomas increase soil carbon and fertility
across several biomes. African Journal of Range & Forage
Science, 40:1, 32-46.

5. Muller H., Hawkins H.-J., Scorgie S. (2020) Building resiliencein rangelands through a natural resource management
model: a case study – Full report. International Institute forEnvironment and Development. ​6. Thoresen J., Vermeire M.-L., Venter Z., Wolfaard G., Krumins
J.A., Cramer M., Hawkins H-J. (2021) Fire and herbivory shapesoil arthropod communities through habitat heterogeneity
and nutrient cycling in savannas. Global Ecology andConservation 25: e01413. ​7.

Vermeire M.-L., Thoresen J., Lennard K., Vikram S., Kirkman
K., Swemmer A.M., Te Beest M., Siebert F., Gordijn P., Venter
Z., Brunel C., Wolfaard G., Krumins J.A., Cramer M.D., Hawkins
H.-J. (2021) Fire and herbivory drive fungal and bacterial
communities through distinct above- and belowgroundmechanisms. Science of The Total Environment 785: 147189
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.147189 ​8.

Venter Z.S., Hawkins H.-J., Cramer M.D. (2021) Does
defoliation frequency and severity influence plant
productivity? The role of grazing management and soil
nutrients. African Journal of Range & Forage Science, 38:2,
141-156 ​9.

Venter Z.S., Hawkins H.-J., Cramer M.D., Mills A.J. (2021)
Mapping soil organic carbon stocks and trends with satellitedriven high resolution maps over South Africa. Science of
The Total Environment 771: 145384

48 I CONSERVATION SOUTH AFRICA ANNUAL REPORT 2020–2022

CASE STUDIES
1.

CSA (2021) Evidence-based policy and decision making forConservation Agreement projects as an Ecosystem-based
Adaptation (EbA) - Case study I: Innovative financing for
implementing Conservation Agreements in Namaqualand,
Northern Cape, South Africa within communal lands.​

2. CSA (2021) Evidence-based policy and decision making forConservation Agreement projects as an Ecosystem-based
Adaptation (EbA) - Case study II: Conservation Agreements
for rangeland restoration in Namaqualand. ​3.

CSA (2021) The Small Grants Facility (SGF) as a financing
mechanism for Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) in
Namaqualand, Northern Cape Province, South Africa. ​4.

CSA (2021) Policy brief: The importance of Ecosystembased adaptation and mitigation actions in the Nationally
Determined Contributions. Conservation South Africa​.

5. CSA (2022) Growing a sustainable oceans economy in South
Africa, while expanding marine conservation: Lessons from
Saldanha Bay Municipality.​
6. CSA (2022) The war on wattle: The case of Ward 21 in
Mvenyane, Eastern Cape Province South Africa.
7.

CI & UCP (2022) Freshwater Health Index: Umzimvubu River
catchment, South Africa.​

8.

Rose, C. (2019) Good practices for water, livestock andpeople in rural South Africa. Conservation South Africa​.

9.

Rose, C., Majola, M. S., Msomi, T., Matandela., F. and McLeod.,N. (2021), A grassroots approach to spring protection in rural
South Africa. South Africa: UCP.

© MM Pictures

1.

49 I CONSERVATION SOUTH AFRICA ANNUAL REPORT 2020–2022

INVESTMENT AND AUDITEDFINANCIAL STATEMENTS

INVESTMENT AND AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
2022

2021

2020

Grants, Contracts & Contributions

R 86,335,814

R 45,850,104

R 39,736,086

Foundations

R 17,786,228

R 25,355,334

R 23,955,321

REVENUE

Individuals

R 4,394,832

R 2,825,123

R 1,699,926

Corporations

R 6,107,374

R 4,775,680

R 2,402,646

Conservation South Africa receives generous support from a wide range of foundations, individuals,
businesses, governments, and multilateral agencies. This diversity of funding sources allows us to continue
our work in our three landscape demonstration sites with the assistance of research and technical teams,
as well as strategic support staff located in Cape Town and Johannesburg.

NGO / University

R 23,630,054

R 11,002,296

R 6,252,392

Multilateral

R 448

R 701,199

R 2,074,940

US Govt

R0

R0

R 1,284,361

Non US Govt

R 34,416,878

R 1,190,473

R 2,066,499

Miscellaneous Income

R 12,463,078

R 2,425,039

R 1,574,465

Investment Income

R 163,080

R 38,487

R 87,843

R 98,961,972

R 48,313,630

R 41,398,394

Landscape Demonstrations
Namakwa LandscapeR 64,700,862

R 27,108,635

R 18,992,783

R 7,960,977

R 8,091,136

R 4,524,421

Umzimvubu LandscapeR 36,459,575

R 12,168,470

R 9,641,878

Kruger to Canyons LandscapeR 20,280,310

R 6,849,029

R 4,826,484

Regional Support Costs

R 14,096,037

R 10,913,830

R 9,300,122

Research and Technical Support

R 10,170,412

R 7,333,694

R 8,601,273

Executive & Leadership

R3,554,210

R 3,522,650

R 3,188,084

Management & Operations

R 1,935,643

R 2,725,466

R 3,543,349

R 94,457,165

R 51,604,274

R 43,625,610

Change in Net Assets
before Non-Operating Activity

R 4,504,807

R -3,290,644

R -2,227,217

Finance Costs

R 1,752

R 1,072

R 4,503,055

R -3,291,716

R -2,227,217

Net Assets at Beginning of YearR -760,455

R 2,531,261

R 4,758,478

Changes in Net Assets

R 4,503,055

R -3,291,716

R -2,227,217

R 3,742,600

R -760,455

R 2,531,261■■ Despite the global impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, revenue received from local grants andcontributions (not including revenue from foundations, corporations, and the US government) remained
stable at R13 million in FY20 compared to FY19 (R13 million). This increased to R18 million in FY21 and to
R75 million in FY22.
■■ Total revenue has increased each year from R42 million in FY19 to R98 million in FY22. This increase
was due to the exponential growth of our Jobs for Nature programme in response to the COVID-19
pandemic.
■■ Total revenue from foundations, corporations and US government has fluctuated since FY19 (R29
million), having received R27 million in FY20, R30 million in FY21 and R23 million in FY22.
The most significant contributions in FY22 were from the Presidential Stimulus Fund, R34 million in total
comprising 35% of our total revenue for FY22, as well as R23 million from NGO and universities providing
24% of our support in FY22.

EXPENSES
We strive to ensure that Conservation South Africa has robust systems in place to effectively manage andsupport our complex work across the demonstration landscapes and that it is fully accountable to a wide
range of donors with rigorous compliance requirements, while carefully managing our costs to maximise
funding of our programmes and partners.
■■ Expenditure in FY22 totalled R94 million, a R55 million increase from R39 million in FY19. This significant
increase in expenditure was the result of the programme costs associated with the Jobs for Nature
programme.
■■ Our largest investment in FY22 was in our landscape demonstration sites, amounting to R65 million, or
68% of total expenditure. Additional investments were made in our support portfolios of research, policy,
regional integration, and conservation finance.
■■ 98% of expenditure during the period under review is linked directly to the implementation andmanagement of project activities and only 2% of funding was allocated to overhead costs.

50 I CONSERVATION SOUTH AFRICA ANNUAL REPORT 2020–2022

REVENUETOTAL REVENUE
EXPENSESTOTAL EXPENSES

CHANGES IN NET ASSETSNET ASSETS AT END OF YEAR

51 I CONSERVATION SOUTH AFRICA ANNUAL REPORT 2020–2022

OUR DONORS
Our sincere gratitude goes to all the individual donors, foundations,
corporations and governments that sponsor our work so generously, andwithout whom none of what we do would be possible.

Airlink South Africa ​AKO Foundation​
Arnhold Foundation​
Coventry University

International Institute forEnvironment and Development(IIED)​
Italtile & Ceramic Foundation
Johannesburg Stock Exchange(JSE)​

Peace Parks Foundation​​
Pisces Foundation​​
Resource Legacy FundSarah E. Johnson​​
SAS Pty Ltd
Schwab Charitable FundDavid E. & Mary C. Gallo Foundation​

John & Katie Hansen Family
Foundation​

Elizabeth R. & William J. Patterson
Foundation​

Kering​​Embassy of the Federal Republic of
Germany – Pretoria​

Lesley Hill Succulent Karoo Trust ​​South African Department ofForestry, Fisheries and theEnvironment

Environmental Resources
Management Southern Africa
Fonds Français pourl’Environnement Mondial

Kris & Ken Moore​
Lima Rural Development
Foundation
Malatji and Company Incorporated
McCormack, Jon & Caren​​Seligmann Innovation FundSouth African National Biodiversity
Institute​​
South South North Trust
Susman, Simon​​
SwedBio

Ford Pty Ltd

Meat Naturally Pty

Fresh Ministries Inc.​

Mercedes Benz South Africa Pty Ltd

GoogleMitsubishi Corporation​​

Government of Flanders​

Nedbank Limited

Haas, Michael​

Ninety One South Africa

Hainebach, Michael​

One Tree Planted

Hans Hoheisen Charitable Trust​

Oppenheimer Generations

Industrial Development
Corporation ​Orion Carbon Engineering Pty Ltd

World Wildlife Fund South Africa(WWF-SA)​

Patrick J McGovern Foundation

Youth Employment Services (YES)

52 I CONSERVATION SOUTH AFRICA ANNUAL REPORT 2020–2022

The Nature Conservancy​​
Toyota South Africa Motors​​
United Nations Environment Program
Waverley Street Foundation
Wildlife Conservation Society
World Bank

© Envato

AFD – French Development
Agency​53 I CONSERVATION SOUTH AFRICA ANNUAL REPORT 2020–2022

OUR PARTNERS
Conservation South Africa’s work is wholly dependent on partnerships with government, civil society andthe private sector. We are deeply grateful for these collaborations and would like to thank the following
organisations in particular:

By working with local communities and otherstakeholders to develop sustainable andeffective conservation strategies, we createa lasting impact that extends beyond our
specific projects or initiatives.
JULIA LEVIN© Envato

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, CONSERVATION SOUTH AFRICASOUTH AFRICA

ember of the CI Network

CONSERVATION SOUTH AFRICAIMPACT REPORT 2020-2022
Research, writing, editing: Quba Design and Motion
Design and layout: Quba Design and Motion
Cover image: © Conservation International

www.conservation.org/south-africa
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ConservationSouthAfrica
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/conservationinternational_sa/© Envato

Linked in: https://www.linkedin.com/company/conservation-international-africa-fielddivision/?viewAsMember=true

Cape Town officeJohannesburg officeKruger to Canyons office

Forrest House, Ground Floor, Belmont
Office Park, Belmont Road, Rondebosch,
Cape Town 7700,
South Africa
Phone: +27 21 100 3950

EWT Campus, Austin Road, Glen Austin
AH, Midrand, Gauteng 1685,
South Africa
Phone: +27 10 100 3492

Zandspruit Bush & Aero Estate, R527 Road,
Hoedspruit,
Limpopo 1380, South Africa
Phone: +27 10 534 4143;+27 01 534 5141

Namakwa office
89 Apie Visser Street, Springbok,
Northern Cape 8240,
South Africa
Phone: +27 27 718 1565

Umzimvubu office
112 Main Street, Matatiele
Eastern Cape 4730
South Africa
Phone: +27 39 737 3668