Sustainability at Kwandwe Private Game Reserve
At &Beyond we seek to maintain a low impact on the land while deriving high yield for our conservation initiatives by creating very small luxury lodges that support enormous tracts of biodiverse land, which remains untouched. At every lodge we seek out small (and sometimes not so small) but meaningful ways of putting our values into action every day. Each &Beyond lodge supports the conservation of wildlife and contributes to its neighbouring communities in one way or another. In addition, we seek to limit our impact in terms of fossil fuels, the use of renewable energy, water and waste management, and recycling.
At Kwandwe, biofuel is created from recycled kitchen and workshop fuels oils for use in vehicles and lanterns.
Current Sustainability projects at Kwandwe Private Game Reserve
Angus Gillis Foundation ensures ongoing education
In South Africa, less than one percent of the national Education Budget is allocated to Early Childhood Development (ECD) and only 17 percent of the children younger than six years old in the Eastern Cape Province have access to ECD programmes. With this in mind the Angus Gillis Foundation, Kwandwe Private Game Reserve's social development partner, teamed up with the surrounding communities to establish services to meet this ever-growing need.
Angus Gillis Foundation offers adult education
The Angus Gillis Foundation, Kwandwe Private Game Reserve's social development partner, operates in the rural areas of the Eastern Cape with the aim of empowering the rural people who live in conditions of abject poverty, some deprived of access to even basic resources. They work to develop and empower individuals, groups and communities, teaching them to be self-reliant.
Black Rhino Introduction at Kwandwe Private Game Reserve
There are currently 11 endangered black rhino at Kwandwe Private Game Reserve in the malaria-free Eastern Cape, with more animals to be reintroduced in the coming summer. Kwandwe first reintroduced black rhino into the 22 000 hectare reserve in 2001; six of these pachyderms were purchased at the Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife annual auction for R2,25 million each. The 11 black rhino are now regularly seen by guests, as the succulent thicket of Kwandwe provides them with ideal nutrition.
Cheetah research at Kwandwe Private Game Reserve
In 2001, nine cheetahs were re-introduced to Kwandwe Private Game Reserve. Extensive research has since been conducted on these endangered animals, focusing primarily on the feeding biology of the animals. The aim of the study was to examine the feeding biology of cheetah in Valley Bushveld and to establish the extent to which their normal feeding behaviour (high speed chase in open areas to catch small to medium sized prey) was modified.
Goal is Life Soccer Challenge
South African soccer legend, Mark Fish, recently caused great excitement by visiting Kwandwe Private Game Reserve, situated in the malaria-free Eastern Cape. He delivered an inspirational talk on the importance of healthy living and its role in working towards goals to realise ones dreams. He challenged the staff to aim high and to dare to dream, and then to top it all off, much to the delight of Kwandwe's soccer teams, he even played in the lodge soccer match challenge!
Kwandwe Gives its First Conservation Lesson
Our fantastic team at Kwandwe Private Game Reserve gave its first ever Conservation Lesson last month. A group of children from Fort Brown Primary School, accompanied by their teacher, visited Kwandwe to learn about the fascinating wildlife and ecology of the region. Kwandwe will allocate at least one game drive vehicle (with ranger and tracker team) every Wednesday for ongoing Conservation Lessons. Di Hornby of the Angus Gillis Foundation, Kwandwe's social development partner, helped to coordinate the lesson, and said that "the smiles on the children's faces was motivation enough to drive the weekly lessons."
Monitoring of Blue Cranes - South Africa's national bird
A small population of Blue Crane are seasonal visitors to Kwandwe where they breed in areas of short grasslands. Kwandwe rangers observe and monitor the breeding success of the cranes which - despite being the country's national bird - have declined alarmingly in numbers over the past decade.
Plans for a New Community Centre
The Angus Gillis Foundation, Kwandwe Private Game Reserve's social development partner, is currently raising funds to build the KwaDoli Community Centre which will service eight rural villages in the Eastern Cape. The Angus Gillis Foundation was started in 2002 by the owners of Kwandwe Private Game Reserve, in order to empower the rural areas surrounding the Reserve. The focus of their work is with rural people who live in conditions of abject poverty, some deprived of access to even basic resources.
Proposals for combating soil erosion
A study of soil erosion at Kwandwe Private Game Reserve resulted in the publication - in &Beyond's 'Ecological Journal' - of recommendations to halt this destructive process.
Seeing the World Anew
The Angus Gillis Foundation, an independent charitable trust initiated by Kwandwe Private Game Reserve, recently launched an eye-testing campaign for the children of Kwandwe's neighbouring communities. In response to a nationwide Specsaver's campaign whereby children under the age of 12 requiring glasses receive the lenses and frames for free, the Angus Gillis Foundation invited Dr. Trevor Davies to visit Kwandwe's communities. The children were delighted to meet a qualified medical professional - for many of them it was a first time. Dr. Davies and assistant Lindelwa Pango visited Kwandwe Pre-School and Fort Brown Primary School to conduct eye tests on 91 students, eight of whom have been referred to optometrists for further testing. Not only were Kwandwe's children treated to an eye-opening learning experience, but those in need now have access to much-needed optometric attention. This is another small illustration of how responsible and caring luxury truly can make a difference.
Self Help Groups Empower Local Communities
The Angus Gillis Foundation, Kwandwe Private Game Reserve's social development partner, was established to support the rural communities of the Eastern Cape. The focus of the Foundation's work is on rural people who live in conditions of abject poverty, some deprived of access to even basic resources.
