A case study in sustainable leadership

THE iSimangaliso Wetland Park World Heritage Site recently hosted the first Sustainability Leadership Journey initiated through Wildlands and Global Nature Fund in conjunction with the Living Lakes Network.

With Africa’s largest estuarine system, Lake St Lucia, being one of the ‘signature lakes’ in the Living Lakes Network, iSimangaliso formed the ideal backdrop and example of inclusive conservation.

The international group of thinkers, leaders and sustainability practitioners discussed some of the key issues affecting sustainability.

They included representatives from Germany, Canada, Philippines, Burundi, Kenya, Columbia, Australia, India and China.

About a third of the group were from Wildlands and the international delegates affiliated to NGOs forming part of the Living Lakes Network.

The theme of the ‘journey’ was on personal sustainability within the context of a volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous world.

The aim was to bring together a powerful group of change makers from South Africa and around the world, to share learning, and draw on collective strength.

They would identify changes necessary in their own lives and in existing systems in order to be more effective sustainability leaders.

Four themes

The programme saw participants sharing their sustainability leadership journeys, challenges, successes and ideas for the future.

Discussions were around the four core themes: ‘people and the environment’, ‘social entrepreneurship’, ‘learning from nature’ and ‘leadership and learning’.

According to Simone Dale, Deputy-Director at Wildlands, the ‘journey’ sought to offer delegates an understanding of what it’s taken to get iSimangaliso to where it is today and where it’s going, including the challenges of working with people and communities around parks.

‘We also really wanted to hear the personal stories of the pioneers and their perspective on their roles as young leaders working for people and the environment, as we believe their opinions and contributions are crucial.’

Park experience

One of the priorities was to allow delegates to be immersed in nature and experience the numerous ways in which the Park is benefitting local businesses.

Accommodation was at the Park’s Sugarloaf campsite and the meetings were held under the trees.

The delegates undertook a number of excursions including an estuary boat cruise subsidised by Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife.

Two of iSimangaliso’s local entrepreneur programme beneficiaries, Smangele Mbatha and Mary Barnes, were given the opportunity to cater for the group.

iSimangaliso CEO Andrew Zaloumis said, ‘Any event of this kind is viewed by iSimangaliso as an opportunity to optimise the benefits for our fledgling entrepreneurs by utilising their services wherever possible.

‘This is one of our key principles in our approach to conservation and development.’

Interns’ views

Three young interns from neighbouring communities, who have now joined the iSimangaliso staff, shared their personal experiences with the delegation.

Sifiso Vumase, environmental education assistant, said the environmental education programme is very close to his heart.

He has learnt from having a platform to engage with different conservation stakeholders on iSimangaliso trips and school awards programme

Another participant, training and capacity building officer, Bongani Gumede said, ‘It was a great experience for me to share my personal journey with youth like me, with people who are also involved in conservation.

‘It gave me an impression that our organisation is leading by example and it’s a great honour to be associated with that.’

Nosipho Ngcobo, iSimangaliso’s project facilitation assistant said he had an opportunity to share the ground-breaking work that iSimangaliso is doing in uplifting the local entrepreneurs in neighbouring communities around the park, especially the youth and women.

Wildlands CEO Dr Andrew Venter said it was ‘a privilege to be able to base our inaugural Sustainability Leadership Journey in the spectacular iSimangaliso World Heritage area’.

Of the iSimangaliso Park team he said ‘they have a deep love and passion for the area and their courage, vision and determination gives us hope.’

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