ABOUT US – Unveiling Our Commitment to Conservation
The Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife Honorary Officers, rooted in tradition and dedicated to conservation, are a voluntary non-profit organization with a long-standing history that spans over a century. Our primary purpose is to serve as a formal entity that facilitates public benefit activities, focusing on supporting and assisting Ezemvelo in fulfilling its mandated aims and objectives. These public benefit activities encompass a wide range of vital areas, including conservation, environmental protection, community engagement, and the welfare of wildlife.
Our Key Principles:
Tradition and Legacy: The Honorary Officers proudly carry forward a legacy of commitment to conservation and environmental stewardship that has deep historical roots. This tradition forms the foundation of our organization’s values and dedication to preserving the natural beauty of KwaZulu-Natal.
Voluntary and Non-Profit: As a volunteer-driven and non-profit organization, our work is not motivated by financial gain but by the desire to make a positive impact on our environment and communities. We believe in giving back to our natural heritage through selfless service.
Support for Ezemvelo: Our core mission is to actively support Ezemvelo, the esteemed conservation authority in KwaZulu-Natal. We are dedicated to aiding Ezemvelo in achieving its mandates, goals, and objectives in the fields of conservation, environmental protection, community well-being, and wildlife welfare.
Public Benefit Activities: Our activities are designed to benefit the broader public, encompassing critical areas such as conservation efforts that safeguard the region’s unique biodiversity, environmental initiatives that promote sustainable practices, community engagement to empower and involve local residents, and the welfare of the wildlife that calls this region home.
In summary, the Honorary Officers play a pivotal role in preserving and nurturing the natural splendor of KwaZulu-Natal. Our dedication is a testament to our reverence for nature and our commitment to ensuring a sustainable and thriving future for all.
Vision:
The vision of Ezemvelo HOs is to be an essential and strategic volunteer partner to Ezemvelo to achieve its mandate.
Mission:
Our mission is to provide support to Ezemvelo in the protection and conservation of the biodiversity resources of Ezemvelo operational areas. This includes the raising of funds or donations, sourcing of equipment and materials and other supporting duties to facilitate the work of the Honorary Officers.
Legislative Context of the Honorary Officers
The appointment of HOs was provided for in terms of the Natal Nature Conservation Ordinance No 15 of 1974, in section 11 (10) (a) and section 27 (1) and (2). However, with the establishment of Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife in terms of the KwaZulu-Natal Nature Conservation Management Act, No. 9 of 1997, a number of provisions of this Ordinance were repealed but not section 27 (1) and (2). This section and section 42 (2) of the KwaZulu-Natal Nature Conservation Management Act, No. 9 of 1997 meant that all the staff and HOs previously appointed in terms of the Ordinance, would continue to be recognized by the new organization. The KwaZulu-Natal Environmental, Biodiversity and Protected Areas Bill, 2016 in section 28 (1), (20), and (3) provides Ezemvelo with powers to appoint members of the public as volunteers for the purpose of assisting it with the performance of its functions in terms of this Act. When this Act is enacted, the service level agreement between Honorary Officers and Ezemvelo will be in line with the provisions of the Act.
Any powers referred to in the Ordinance or any authorization to use firearms will only be released to individual HOs in exceptional circumstances and then only after such HO has attended and passed the necessary Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife competency courses required to perform his/her duties.