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The remarkable achievements of three exceptional groups were celebrated at WESSA’s 2012 National Awards event that was held on Saturday 8 September at a formal dinner at the House of Pharaohs in Bryanston, Johannesburg.

Presented since 1978, the awards enable WESSA to recognise and honour individuals, corporations and organisations, community groups, educational groups, and volunteer groups in the conservation or environmental field who have made a significant contribution to the environmental conservation or environmental education sector in South Africa over a sustained period of time.

Numerous deserving nominations were received this year, and after extensive review by the WESSA Board, the WESSA’s 2012 National Awards were presented to the Save Mapungubwe Coalition, Treverton Schools and SAMREC (SA Marine Rehabilitation and Education Centre).

Three outgoing WESSA board members were also honoured on the night, with special certificates of appreciation being presented to Professor Christo Fabricius, Andy Gubb and Pieter Burger for their outstanding contributions to the organisation as WESSA Board Members over several years.

The programme for the evening included an address by recently appointed WESSA CEO, Dr Thommie Burger, who acknowledged WESSA’s achievements over the past 86 years and mapped out his vision for the future direction of the organisation. Chairman of the WESSA Board, Dr Richard Lewis, thanked WESSA’s major funders for their excellent support and spoke about the need for a universal commitment to champion conservation of the environment.

Representatives from the award winners were joined at the event by WESSA patrons Keith Kirsten and Kevin Duncan, some of WESSA’s key project funders including ABB, Mondi, PetroSA, Xstrata, and Mazda Wildlife Fund, and WESSA Board members.

WESSA patron, singer‐songwriter and environmental campaigner Jason Hartman provided some unexpected
entertainment for the guests with an impromptu musical performance.