WESSA Schools Programme Annual Report 2019/2020

THE WESSA SCHOOLS PROGRAMME TEAM

The success of theWESSASchools Programmeand the legacy of environmental learningwe are building is undeniably a teameffort. No one person is responsible for the transformation of our programmes and our impact over the last 17 years, but it is attributed to the diversity of people on our team and the experiences and expertise each of them bring to team. During 2019, we lost a few key members who were part of our team for a number of years and contributed significantly to where we are as a national programme today. Moving forward, our core team consists of the following members:

Our ‘Anything-is-Possible’ General Manager DONAVAN FULLARD

Donavan is a science graduate from the University of Western Cape where he studied Botany and Zoology and became a Biology teacher for many years. His illustrious career spans over 30 years in the education, training and development sector. He is passionate about youth development and was famously known as papa Groen Sebenza, managing this significant national youth development programme across South Africa. He is currently completing his Masters Degree with Rhodes University under the supervision of Prof Heila Lotz-Sisitka. His other passions in life include his love for the outdoors, gardening and cooking for people. What most people don’t know about Donavan is that he was an avid rugby player and represented his university in his heyday. He is terrified of snakes and almost fell off the slope of a maintain trying to get away from a puff adder.

CINDY-LEE CLOETE

Our ‘Inspirational-Go-Getter’ Programmes Manager

Cindy grew her love for the natural environment from growing up with her farmer grandfather in the Northern Cape. She obtained a National Diploma in Nature Conservation from CPUT and decided to specialize in people-nature relations after being held up by gunpoint in a Cape Town nature reserve while working. This led to her environmental education career and she obtained a Masters Degree in Education (Environmental Education) from Rhodes University. Cindy is an avid bird watcher and spends many weekends on the early morning prowl for a rare sighting. She enjoys birding so much that she got school kids to love it too! Although it may seem surprising from her small frame, she does Crossfit at least 4 times a week and really enjoys extreme fitness sports. One of Cindy’s favourite activities, whether indoors or outdoors, is to build amazing fires and spend the evening staring into the flames.

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