Endangered Wildlife Trust opens the doors to their new home in Midrand

MIDRAND – The Endangered Wildlife Trust launched their new home in Midrand.

March 7, 2020

Ofentse Ditlopo 2 minutes read

Endangered Wildlife Trust CEO Yolan Friedmann, one of the founders Clive Walker and board chairman Dirk Ackerman unveil the baobab tree at the premises. Photo: Ofentse Ditlopo

The Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT) officially opened the doors to their new permanent home in Midrand on 26 February.

According to their website, the non-profit organisation, with help from various stakeholders and donations, aims to conserve threatened species and ecosystems in eastern and southern Africa to benefit all people.

Bronwyn Steyn and Guillaume Steyn ready to see the new Endangered Wildlife Trust facility in Midrand. *Photo: Ofentse Ditlopo*

Their vision is a healthy planet and an equitable world that values and sustains the diversity of

all life.

Stakeholders, locals and people with the same interest in conservation, as well as one of the original three founders of the organisation, Clive Walker, attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony and unveiling of a baobab tree planted at the premises.

Jacquie Casette and Tricia Erasmus join in on the launch of the Endangered Wildlife Trust’s new home in Midrand. *Photo: Ofentse Ditlopo*

Yolan Friedmann, CEO for the trust, explained how far they have come as an organisation since its start 37 years ago. “The EWT likes to take on big goals all the time, we never like to hear the word no and certainly, when it came time to start having the discussions a number of years ago about finding the forever home for the EWT, we tried to come up with the biggest vision that we possibly could have.

Board chairman Dirk Ackerman with One of the founders of Endangered Wildlife Trust Clive Walker cut the ribbon to the new facility for the Endangered Wildlife Trust. *Photo: Ofentse Ditlopo*

“The Clive Walker House in 1987 was housed at the Johannesburg Zoo, but then in 2011 it was time to move, so we did our major relocation to Modderfontein. As most things come to an end, we knew that it would come to an end, in 2017 we started looking for properties.”

Mpotseng Sehume is at the launch of the Endangered Wildlife Trust’s new home in Midrand. *Photo: Ofentse Ditlopo*

Friedmann said that the new Midrand property provides them with the space they need for the programmes and ideas they want to facilitate.

Jenine Dewet and Kerryn Morrison are happy to welcome people to their organisation’s new home in Midrand. *Photo: Ofentse Ditlopo*

Astounded by the milestone the organisation has achieved, Walker said that he was privileged to have been present at the launch of their new permanent home. He said that it was remarkable to see how the organisation has grown and expanded to the important level that it has reached today. “It is really special for me to be able to attend the launch of this new wildlife academy.

Kennedy Nemutamvuni attends the launch of the Endangered Wildlife Trust’s new premises. *Photo: Ofentse Ditlopo*

“Originally the idea was to focus on certain endangered species, and when I sit here today and realise that the staff is well over 110, with the number of projects they are doing, it is nothing short of phenomenal.”

Hennie Wiggett and his father Hennie Wigget Senior, with Bruce Jones at the launch of the Endangered Wildlife Trust home in Midrand. *Photo: Ofentse Ditlopo*

Delving into how everyone can contribute toward saving the planet, Walker added that he is a firm believer of exposing children to nature from as young as possible. “Many children have never been beyond perimeters of the city, they have never seen a rhino, a buffalo, or clean water flowing in a river.”

Ven Pillay and Angela Cherrington are at the Endangered Wildlife Trust to experience the launch of their new home. *Photo: Ofentse Ditlopo*

He added, “How can you get any person whether they are young or old to ever appreciate the value of nature unless they can experience it first-hand?”

EWT board chairman Dirk Ackerman, CEO Yolan Friedmann and one of the trust’s founders Clive Walker share the ribbon-cutting moment. *Photo: Ofentse Ditlopo*

Walker concluded that he believes that education should start with the youth, “It doesn’t matter the background, we need to expose young people to what the benefits of nature are. What is important is getting the kids out there sleeping around the fire, walking in the veld, meeting new people and just having a lot of fun at the same time.”