People
Youth Development
Programme
Through the Youth Development Programme’s holistic skills development and education interventions, vulnerable youth are equipped to become economically active and environmentally responsible citizens.
All our people-focused intervention projects are housed under the Youth Development Programme in a separate entity: Wilderness Foundation Africa Youth Development, categorised as a voluntary association / not for profit organisation (NPO: 264-532 | PBO: 930061704). The entity is a BBBEE level 1 organisation and conforms with the definitions contained in the Broad Based Black Economic Empowerment Act and subsequent Codes of Good Practice 2013, against Statement 100 Annex B. It is confirmed to have a beneficiary reach of 100% Black people from designated groups, with a focus on Youth, at least 51% being Black women and 100% Black new entrants.
Siyazenzela
Livelihoods, Leadership and Resilience Course
Siyazenzela (meaning “We are doing it for ourselves” in isiXhosa), is a four-week short term basic employability and wellness course, which aims to see young people from previously disadvantaged communities gain job preparedness skills whilst also developing personal insight and understanding of themselves. The overriding objective of the Siyazenzela courses is to see young people progress from unemployment to employment by providing them with skills and vocational education opportunities leading to new pathways i.e. paid employment, post-secondary education or entrepreneurship opportunities.
Contact: Nicky Daniels (Manager: Youth Development Programme), nicky@wfa.africa
Umzi Wethu
Accredited Vocational Skills Training
Umzi Wethu (meaning “Our Home” in isiXhosa) is an accredited vocational training programme which prepares youth for positions in the conservation and hospitality industries. It not only provides accredited training for previously disadvantaged youth, but ensures that graduates enter the working world with hands-on experience and resilience to further themselves in their respective fields.
Contact: Nicky Daniels (Manager: Youth Development Programme), nicky@wfa.africa
Follow the journey of some of our graduates
Wilderness Trails and Outreach
Pride
Pride was developed to fulfil the need for an environmental education outreach programme among disadvantaged youth from urban and rural areas. Pride projects run in wilderness areas throughout South Africa, and have introduced thousands of primary and senior learners to a one-day, entry-level outdoor experience every year. Pride also aims to provide communities with the opportunity to rediscover the relationship between their cultures and nature through the power of education and the experience of their natural heritage: wilderness areas, national parks and their immediate natural environments.
Contact: Nicky Daniels (Manager: Youth Development Programme), nicky@wfa.africa
Imbewu
EXPERIENTIAL EDUCATION WORKSHOPS
Imbewu (meaning ‘Seed’ in isiXhosa) constitutes experiential workshops which aim to deliver quality primary environmental education to disadvantaged youth to stimulate, spark and inspire their interest in biodiversity and conservation. Imbewu also aims to provide school going youth with an understanding of climate change and the importance of protecting our natural environment, while reconnecting them to their natural heritage.
Contact: Nicky Daniels (Manager: Youth Development Programme), nicky@wfa.africa
EcoCrusaders
Climate and Sustainability Education
The aim of this project is to build understanding and awareness of climate change and to promote environmental stewardship amongst young South Africans in Nelson Mandela Bay.
The project will focus on building capacity in five schools across the metro, working with teachers, Eco-Clubs and the broader school community to amplify their participation in local climate action and inspire the next generation of sustainability leaders.
Contact: Nicky Daniels (Manager: Youth Development Programme), nicky@wfa.africa
