AN INTRODUCTION TO THE GROOTBOS FOUNDATION:

Responsible tourism is characterised by our demonstration of respect for the environment, local cultures and local communities. At Grootbos we believe in the positive impact that tourism can have and are passionate about the development of sustainable livelihoods and about conserving our amazing biodiversity. Through the Grootbos Foundation, we implement support for social development and nature conservation.

VISION & MISSION

The Grootbos Foundation is a non-profit organisation, established in 2003 with the VISION of transforming communities and conserving our environment through the creation of sustainable livelihoods and active citizenship.

It is our MISSION to conserve the unique Cape Floral Kingdom, the region we call home; and to develop sustainable livelihoods through ecotourism, enterprise development, sports development and education.

We create sustainable project models which are replicable and scalable in order to assist the communities that surround us, and those in other regions. Many of our projects generate their own income and/or are partially self-sustaining, of which we are very proud!

OBJECTIVES

The Foundation’s implementation strategies are based on three integrated ‘umbrella’ programmes: 'Green Futures’ which focuses on conservation, ‘Football Foundation’ which focuses on utilising sport for development, and ‘Siyakhula’ which focuses on the creation of sustainable livelihoods through enterprise development.

Our overarching objectives include:

 Conserving, rehabilitating and protecting the natural environment of the Western Cape region, particularly the flora and fauna on Grootbos Private Nature Reserve and the Walker Bay region.  The provision of education relating to indigenous horticulture, agriculture, conservation, ecotourism, greening and life skills education.

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 Training and skills development for disadvantaged persons with the purpose of enabling them to obtain employment or become self-employed.  Using sports and sports facilities as a tool for social integration, promoting healthy lifestyles for youth, and increasing environmental awareness and life skills amongst communities.  Research, including ecological, educational, social and scientific research on topics related to our core programmes.  Developing sustainable and innovative solutions to tackle the issue of food insecurity.

OUR PROGRAMMES

We facilitate three integrated ‘umbrella’ programmes: 'Green Futures’ which focuses on conservation, ‘Football Foundation’ which focuses on utilising sport for development, and ‘Siyakhula’ which focuses on the creation of sustainable livelihoods through enterprise development. Below are short programme summaries of these core initiatives. For more detailed information read the individual programme information contained further in this document.

Green Futures

The Green Futures programme relates to all initiatives with a core conservation focus. These include award-winning ecological research projects, nationally accredited training courses offered through our Green Futures Horticulture and Life Skills College, our Green Futures indigenous nursery and alien clearing and indigenous tree planting projects.

Football Foundation

Our flagship sports programme was founded in 2008 to promote sports and social development in Gansbaai, an area with typically high unemployment rates and few educational, recreational and developmental resources and opportunities. Established in partnership with the English Premier League, the Football Foundation, a subsidiary of the larger Grootbos Foundation, aims to uplift communities by empowering individuals through accredited skills training and leadership opportunities. It also works to promote education, health, social integration and participation through sports.

Siyakhula

Siyakhula is our benchmark enterprise development and entrepreneurship programme. Many of the projects within this programme also have a dual focus on food security. Siyakhula, an isiXhosa word meaning “It is growing”, has evolved over the past 6 years from our first ‘Growing the Future’ agricultural training project, which taught farming, beekeeping and animal husbandry skills to local unemployed women; into a far more comprehensive and far reaching career and employability-driven enterprise creation initiative.

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HORTICULTURE AND LIFE SKILLS COLLEGE

Established in 2003, our Green Futures Horticulture and Life Skills College provides educational training to 8-12 unemployed young adults each year. We aim to give our student candidates the skills and confidence necessary to market themselves and become employable, while at the same time contributing to the conservation and promotion of our region’s unique biodiversity.

The fully accredited (AGRISeta) course combines essential life skills like personal finance, business skills, computers, driving and health education with knowledge of environmental and conservation issues, and skills of horticulture and landscaping. On completion of their course, the students are awarded a nationally (SETA) accredited certificate in horticulture and are assisted in work placement. Successful students can also apply for a second year of tuition in (FGASA) field guiding level 1. Since its inception, over 110 young people have graduated, and more than 90% of graduates have found employment on completion of the course.

HOSPITALITY SKILLS TRAINING

Green futures hospitality training is our most recent programme initiated in 2015. This

6 month grassroots programme is based on the internationally acclaimed hospitality training programme of Lobster Ink which provides training in 5 levels for a total of 30 weeks. The programme facilitates 10 female candidates from the local community and provides basic skills training and encourages capacity building for these marginalized young women. Practical on-site training takes place in the morning and a mentor (an existing lodge housekeeper) is assigned to each student for the practical training at the two lodges of the Grootbos Nature Reserve, focusing intensively on acquiring the necessary personal skills to interact confidently with discerning guests and handle situations with panache, diplomacy and professionalism required in a 5 star hospitality environment.

Theory facilitation is scheduled for the afternoons which entails training in computer skills and English a conversational class covering relevant topics such as problem solving at home, personal hygiene, healthy lifestyle, personal finances and etiquette.

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INDIGENOUS FYNBOS NURSERY

Green Futures students also work at the on-site Green Futures Nursery, learning to propagate endemic fynbos plants and indigenous trees. The nursery is run as a commercial enterprise and brings in an income for the foundation. It also has an indigenous landscaping team, offering its services to local municipalities as well as private concerns.

ECOLOGICAL RESEARCH

Our 2500 hectare Grootbos Private Nature Reserve falls under the Cape Floristic Kingdom, smallest of the world’s six floral kingdoms, which covers only 91 000 square km (0.04% of the earth’s surface). We are actively involved in conserving the Cape Floralistic Kingdom - a UNESCO world heritage site - through ecological research conducted on the Grootbos reserve by our Conservation Manager, Sean Privett, and his team.

Grootbos Private Nature reserve is situated on the Agulhas Plain in the heart of the Cape fynbos lowlands. To date, more than 765 species of endemic fynbos have been documented growing here - six of which are newly discovered species, previously unknown to science. The aim of our foundation is to go beyond simply fencing off areas for floral reserves; we realise that the long-term survival of this unique habitat depends upon simultaneously assisting local communities to recognise the region’s conservation value (and to engender a conservation ethic among them) and secondly, to create jobs which can sustain them (predominantly in the fields of ecotourism and indigenous landscaping). We are integrally involved in the continued conservation and restoration of the flora and fauna of Walker Bay region as a whole. We are passionate about showcasing this amazing part of the world and educating both local residents and the world about its value.

If you would like to purchase the Field Guide, the proceeds of which go to the Grootbos Foundation, please contact reception or ask your guide

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FUTURE TREES

In 2006 a devastating fire destroyed large areas of ancient Milkwood forest found on Grootbos. The Future Trees Project was created with the aim of rehabilitating the afflicted areas, as well as other unique forested sections on the reserve.

A scientifically devised forest rehabilitation project, not merely a tree planting exercise, our innovative approach is to use the earliest aerial photographs (1937) from the region and to compare the extent of the current forest to earlier sizes. From this we developed our planting plan to restore forests to resemble their previous incarnations. The trees used are grown in our own nursery to ensure local genetic sources are maintained. Indigenous trees, including White Milkwood, White Stinkwood, Pock Ironwood and Wild Olive are propagated in our indigenous nursery. Since 2008 we have planted 2711 indigenous trees through the programme. In 2013 we planted 385 - more than one a day and 2014 – 2015 we planted a further 461 indigenous trees. If you would like to donate money towards a tree planting (R350 per tree) please speak to reception or your guide at Grootbos!

ALIEN VEGETATION In conjunction with planting trees endemic to the region, we strive to eradicate alien vegetation in the Walker Bay Fynbos Conservancy. Thus far, more than R1.2 million has been sourced from the Department of Environmental Affairs for the successful execution of this project. These funds are administered by the Agulhas Biodiversity Initiative and are utilised for ongoing clearing of exotic invasive trees species from Grootbos Private Nature Reserve and surrounding properties. Sixty-one previously unemployed people from communities in the area are currently employed in this project, and a total of 6019 hectares of land has been cleared. This success means that we will be able to replicate the project in ensuing years.

HISTORY

The Football Foundation of South Africa (FFSA) was established with the dual aims of achieving greater social integration in the Gansbaai region and educating and empowering youth, using sports as a vehicle for change.

Our multiple award winning programme launched in 2008, with the construction of a multipurpose sports facility, including a showpiece, a full-size, third generation (3G) FIFA standard artificial soccer pitch (sponsored by the English Premier League), situated at the cusp of traditionally segregated black, white and coloured areas of Gansbaai. This was achieved with the invaluable assistance of Sir Dave Richards, then chair of the English Premier League, (which still contributes funding to the project). We

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have also been assisted by members of the Overstrand Municipality, ABSA Bank and the Western Cape Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport, all of whom helped us fund equipment and maintain the facility.

The Football Foundation runs football, netball, hockey and athletics training sessions in Gansbaai, Stanford and Hermanus, which engage approximately 2000 youths each week. In addition to these sessions, we also run programmes centered on HIV education, female empowerment, environmental education, proper nutrition, enterprise development and integration. With this flagship programme, we aim to uplift communities by empowering individuals through sports programmes, including accredited skills training and leadership opportunities, and simultanously promote education, health, social integration and participation through sports. Today we facilitate a great number of projects for 2000+ boys and girls in the Overstrand area, six days a week, as well as facilitating programmes in other areas of the Western Cape.

SPECIFIC GOALS

 Uplift communities by empowering individuals through skills training and leadership opportunities.  Encourage education, health and wellbeing, social integration and community participation.  Support and initiate grassroots sports development in South Africa by providing access to education, resources, facilities and equipment.

DIBANISA: CONSERVATION

Our Dibanisa youth environmental education & sport project is a unique after-school edutainment program that combines sport and natural education excursions to encourage environmental appreciation. Focusing on the fynbos and marine environments - the main ecosystems in the Overstrand area - keeps it local and relevant.

Dibanisa is action-packed and aims to teach children about the environment in a fun and practical way, whilst cultivating a love for nature and promoting social change. As part of this programme, sport is also used as a tool to address health and social issues, as well as career education and training. From an environmental perspective, Dibanisa teaches children more about fynbos and the marine environment, focusing on the inhabitants of the ocean as well as the effect of pollution on our marine ecosystems.

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FOOD FOR SPORT Food for Sport is a 12-week training program, based at a school or sports club, teaching school invaluable lessons in organic food production, nutrition and life skills. Beside the “easy to understand” and visual learning material, each lesson is jam-packed with exciting practical exercises in vegetable production, in specially designed container gardens. Food production and learning is linked directly with sport, through an integrated curriculum, creating a fun and enriching experience for the 20+ children involved in each group. Healthy eating is encouraged and food production becomes an attractive and engaging activity - mirroring the current global trend of organic food production.

Ultimately, the aim of the project is to introduce this strategy to poor communities using sport and to provide food solutions where they are most needed. The project supports children from vulnerable, marginalised communities. Participation is free of charge and offers equal access, whilst maintaining 50% female participation.

SIYAKHULA ORGANIC FARM - 'GROWING THE FUTURE'

Historically, all Siyakhula initiatives were run from the Siyakhula Organic Farm, situated at the heart of the Grootbos Nature Reserve. This farm, established in 2009, provided skills development in organic agriculture, sustainable animal husbandry and beekeeping to members from the local community, particularly women. Today the farm employs a full-time staff of eight, and is run as a commercial enterprise to provide an income for Foundation projects - all vegetables, herbs, lettuces, fruit, eggs, honey and preserves produced at this farm are sold to the Grootbos lodges. Beyond skills development and food production, the farm functions as research and experimentation space for our larger food security projects, specifically the innovative ‘Green Box’ container garden system.

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GREEN BOX South African communities, together with the rest of the world, have experienced skyrocketing food and fuel prices coupled with an economic downturn that has had a disproportionate impact on the urban poor. As a result, significant and severe food insecurity - anxiety and uncertainty about sufficient food supply - is pervasive in urban centres all over South Africa, and will remain one of the biggest development challenges.

The Green Box concept uses urban container gardens, a revolutionary way to grow vegetables in dry areas with poor soil quality. Green Boxes save more than 60 % of water usage and nutrients are not washed from the soil, as with irrigation. Other benefits include up to 60% less fertilisers needed, faster growth rates, higher yields per square meter, no pesticides needed, no runoff of fertilisers or water due to a closed system, no negative environmental impact on biodiversity and the environment and no arable land needed due to soil-less cultivation.

HOME GARDENING

Household food production has the potential to significantly contribute to food security levels in poor communities. In the local township of Masakhane, a striking 96% of residents surveyed are interested in learning how to grow food for household consumption. In addition, 68% claimed to have grown vegetables at some point in their lives, indicating that homestead food production can be a sustainable and adaptable approach to tackling malnutrition and food insecurity in this community. Our home gardening projects use raised beds, Green Boxes and other forms of container gardening and permaculture to improve food security and dietary variety in the communities in which we work.

CAREERS EMPLOYABILITY & ENTERPRISE PROJECT

This project provides skills training workshops to empower an estimated 1280 young people per year to become more employable, self-confident and positive about life. Through career and employability workshops, students learn more about their individual aptitudes and strengths, as well as about different

www.grootbosfoundation.org study fields and career options. It uses sport as the vehicle to reach those who have little access to skills development opportunities and resources. The project also offers learnerships and bursaries - giving students in rural communities the hope and tools to succeed in further education and in finding gainful employment.

A select group of budding young entrepreneurs from the project go on to complete a business development programme focused on small enterprises and entrepreneurship. This programme strives to significantly improve students’ lives in areas such as personal agency, communication, teamwork, financial literacy and employment skills and hopes to strengthen their sense of citizenship.

CANDLE MAKING ENTERPRISE Our Siyakhula candle making initiative is an exciting new project which encourages sustainability and enterprise development while simultaneously targeting waste management. After noticing how much candle wax was being disposed of by Grootbos’ Forest and Garden Lodges each day, the Siyakhula programme, in conjunction with the Green Futures team decided that this presented the perfect opportunity to develop a sustainable project benefiting both the reserve and our Foundation.

With approximately five kilograms of residual wax disposed of by the two Grootbos lodges daily, this project is able to produce 100 to 150 candles, which they can then sell back to the lodges. Each candle produced consists of 50% recycled wax collected from the lodges and 50% new wax, purchased by the Siyakhula programme from a low-cost, wholesale provider. In the financial year 2014-2015 the total production amounted to 36000 recycled candles.

FYNBOS HONEY PRODUCTION Honey production began at the Growing the Future Organic Farm in 2009 as part of our agriculture and animal husbandry programme. All our hives hold swarms that were caught on Grootbos. We never bring any bees onto our reserve from outside sources. The project has grown from farming with 30 hives to 75, and in 2014-2015 1 200 kgs of honey was produced at Grootbos. We produce both regular fynbos honey (all year around) as well as single blossom honey (only during the Erica flowering season). The latter is completely unique and made by our resident bees from Erica Irregularis fynbos - an

www.grootbosfoundation.org endemic plant species that grows only on Grootbos - nowhere else in the world! The honey is harvested at the time when these Ericas are in bloom. Grootbos Honey has a wonderful, rich quality and is more bitter than regular fynbos honey. The honey is 100% organic (because there are no chemicals or pesticides on our farm or on the reserve), raw and unfiltered.

OUR PROGRESS: 2015

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FUNDING

Our Foundation is non-profit and makes use of generous donations received from corporate donors and governmental organisations, as well as Grootbos Lodge guests and other private individuals. Our funding is well supplemented by income generated by our various projects, such as our on-site nursery and landscaping businesses, and the sale of produce from Siyakhula Organic Farm. All funds are invested through the Foundation into implementing our conservation, sports and development projects.

The Grootbos Foundation is completely responsible for the management and facilitation of all projects in our portfolio. This model harnesses the practical expertise within our organisation and effectively delivers on the objectives of our partners – donors, funders and public bodies. Opportunities around corporate social responsibility and experiential learning can be crafted to ensure that donors derive maximum value; and we strive to employ a Public Private Partnership approach at all times.

The Grootbos Foundation is a registered Section 21, non-profit company (#2003/014519/08) that is audited annually by the international auditing firm KPMG. We are also registered as Public Benefit Organisation: PBO 930023319.

AWARDS

Our Foundation has been both shortlisted and the recipient of a number of prestigious awards:

 2015: We Are Africa Innovation Awards Winner – Engage Africa  2015: We Are Africa Innovation Awards Winner – Experience Africa  2014: We Are Africa Innovation Award  2013: Our Dibanisa Environmental Programme makes official shortlist for the “Beyond Sport Awards”. (The Beyond Sport Awards promote, support and reward the best projects across the globe that use sport for positive social change. See: http://www.beyondsport.org/awards)  2013: Gansbaai “Spaces for Sports” site wins the Sports facilities and public spaces Grant at the 15th International Olympic Committee Conference on Sport for All  2013: Gansbaai “Breaking Barriers” programme shortlisted for the Virgin Active Sports Awards: Best Community Programme

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 2012: The Football Foundation’s Gansbaai project highlighted as a “Spotlight Project” at the Beyond Sport Awards  2011: Mail & Guardian’s “Greening the Future” award – special commendation Green Futures  2011: Overstrand Municipality Mayoral Award – Environmental Conservation Award  2011: Football Foundation receives the ‘Highly Commended” award for the International Innovation Prize from the World Leisure Organization for our community development programme.  2010: The Gansbaai Communal Sport Centre wins the prestigious Mail & Guardian “Investing in the Future” awards in the “Sports Development” category.

In addition, our partner, the Grootbos Private Nature Reserve has been the recipient of numerous industry-related awards linked to our work:

 2015: We Are Africa Innovation Awards Winner – Engage Africa  2015: We Are Africa Innovation Awards Winner – Experience Africa  2014: We Are Africa Innovation Award  2014 – Finalist, Lilizela Imvelo Award for Responsible Tourism  2014 - We Are Africa Innovation Award  2010 - The Good Safari Guide: Best Ecological Safari Property in Africa  2009 - Amarula Best Retreats in Africa Award: Winner: Most innovative Retreat in Africa  2009 - GEO Saison “Green Palm” for Michael Lutzeyer  2008 - The Good Safari Guide: Best Community Property in Africa  2008 - Finalist: Tourism for Tomorrow Awards  2007 - Responsible Tourism Award: Best for Conservation of an Endangered Species  2006 - Condé Nast Traveler’s annual Green List  2004 - Responsible Tourism Award: Best protection of endangered species  2003 - Imvelo Overall Winner for Responsible Tourism  2003 - Imvelo Best Environmental Management Program Award  2001 - The Iris Darnton Award: for International Nature Conservation  2001 - MTN & Western Cape Tourism: Winner – Eco-Tourism experience of the year  2000 - British Awards: Tourism for Tomorrow, Protected Areas and National Parks - Highly Commended

Never believe that caring people can’t change the world. They can. – Margaret Mead

DONATE

While the Grootbos Foundation strives to generate its own income and operate in a self-sustaining manner, as non-profit initiative we do rely on the generous donations of like-minded individuals and organisations.

We are happy to accept donations of cash or equipment for specific projects or more ‘general’ cash donations to be used where it is most needed. Rest assured that all your contributions are 100% allocated to project delivery.

THESE FUNDS ARE 100% ALLOCATED TO PROJECT DELIVERY

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DO YOU NEED MORE INFORMATION?

Contact us via email at [email protected] or call the fundraiser at +27 28 384 8048

OUR BANK DETAILS:

Grootbos Green Futures Foundation First National Bank Hermanus Branch Code: 200412 Current Account Number: 62064420856

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