Partnership Between CapeNature and Grootbos Foundation a Win-Win for the Environment and the Economy
CapeNature, the Western Cape Government’s conservation agency, and the Grootbos Foundation have joined hands through a formal partnership to address alien vegetation clearing in the Walker Bay Complex and skills training through the Foundation’s Green Futures College, the vocational training home of the Grootbos Foundation.
The two organisations recently hosted a joint celebration to honour the group of CapeNature trainees who completed a housekeeping training programme and a group of 19 women and one man from the local community in Gansbaai who will take on the challenging physical task to clear the invasive plant species from the dunes in the Walker Bay Nature Reserve area. The event was attended by Minister Anton Bredell, MEC for Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning as well as the owner of Grootbos Private Nature Reserve, Mr Michael Lutzeyer.
Both the Western Cape Government and the Grootbos Foundation have economic development and conservation as a common goal. Minister Bredell praised the partnership: “It is commendable when the private sector invests in conservation and takes responsibility for local economic development and job creation. Not only would the cleared dunes add to the 12 000 hectares cleared on CapeNature land the past year, but the workers have acquired new skills which would enable them to enter the job market with more confidence.”
The housekeeping training presented to 16 CapeNature tourism officials is based on the “train-the-trainer” concept so that each CapeNature official is now able to share their training and knowledge at all the CapeNature reserves with a tourism offering, extending this training reach to a further 100 employees in the first year.
Mr Michael Lutzeyer said: “Conservation works best when everyone is involved, and each person who lives in our village communities understands the value of protecting wild nature. We can all play a role in conservation, and we can all benefit from conservation by creating more green jobs, especially for women. It is easy to see the incredible beauty of the Walker Bay region - getting everyone connected to this beauty is how we will protect it forever. We value the support of CapeNature in sharing this responsibility for our people and our planet.”
“As the custodian of more than a million hectares of conservation estate in the Western Cape, strategic partnerships such as this one are critical for CapeNature to achieve its mandate. It’s a win-win for both the economy and the environment,” Minister Bredell said.
Women from the local community in Gansbaai clearing dunes in CapeNature’s Walker Bay Nature Reserve Complex.
Minister Anton Bredell (far left), Ms Susan Lochner (2nd from left)(Green Futures College), Mr Michael Lutzeyer, owner of Grootbos Private Nature Reserve(2nd from right) and Ms Fatima Borez (Tourism Operations Manager, CapeNature) with the trainees from CapeNature.
Minister Anton Bredell (2nd from right), Mr Michael Lutzeyer, owner of Grootbos Private Nature Reserve(far left) and Mr Sean Privett (Conservation Manager, Grootbos) with the group from Gansbaai responsible for the dune clearing in the Walker Bay Nature Reserve Complex.
Sean Privett (Conservation Director, Grootbos), Minister Anton Bredell, Sheraaz Ismail (Executive Director Eco-Tourism and Access, CapeNature) and Michael Lutzeyer (Owner of Grootbos Private Nature Reserve).
Related News
State of Conservation Report 2026 tracks progress and pressures facing Western Cape biodiversity
The Western Cape’s biodiversity is facing mounting pressure, with a sharp increase in the area affected by fires and more ecosystems and species classified as threatened, according to the Western Cape State of Conservation Report 2026. The report records 107 fires that burned 215 936 hectares during the 2025/26 reporting period – almost three times the 75 174 hectares burned by 97 fires in the previous reporting period.
El Niño raises fire risk as Western Cape prepares for a challenging fire season
The Western Cape is preparing for a potentially challenging wildfire season, with the developing El Niño weather pattern expected to contribute to hotter and drier conditions and an increased risk of wildfires across the province. The South African Weather Service has warned of below-normal rainfall associated with the expected strong El Niño during the coming summer season. While El Niño does not automatically mean that every part of the province will experience drought
Cape fur seal safety remains important this World Rabies Day
On World Rabies Day (28 September), CapeNature is reminding residents and visitors to keep a safe distance from Cape fur seals and to act immediately if they or their pets are bitten, scratched or exposed to a seal’s saliva. Rabies has been detected in Cape fur seals along the South African coastline and by the end of 2025, at least 176 people had been bitten by seals. While most seals do not pose a threat to people, they are wild animals and should never be approached, touched, fed or encouraged to interact with humans.
How Waste Affects Biodiversity and What We Can Do About It
Waste is more than an eyesore. Littered streets, polluted rivers and overflowing landfills are visible signs of a much wider environmental problem. Every year, people generate large volumes of waste, yet much of it is not managed effectively. In South Africa, more than 60% of waste has been reported as ending up in landfills. With service-delivery challenges and many major landfill sites approaching capacity, the pressure on communities and natural ecosystems continues to grow. Both terrestrial and aquatic biodiversity carry much of the impact.
Roll-out of baboon-proof bins to start as northern fence gets under way
The Cape Peninsula Baboon Management Joint Task Team is pleased to announce key developments related to the practical implementation of the approved Cape Peninsula Baboon Strategic Management Plan (CPBSMP). The Action Plan that guides the practical implementation of the CPBSMP was approved by SANParks, CapeNature, and the City of Cape Town in November 2025.
Explore the Western Cape for free this Access Week – Nature is for Everyone
A week of free access to some of the Western Cape’s most spectacular natural spaces is on offer this September, as CapeNature opens the gates to selected nature reserves for its 12th annual Access Week. Taking place from 19–25 September 2026 under the theme “Nature is for Everyone”, Access Week invites individuals, families and communities to explore participating reserves without paying a conservation entry fee.