The goal of the Wilderness Foundation has always been to replicate the Umzi Wethu project throughout the country. The highly successful Umzi Wethu social investment project has been replicated in Stellenbosch under the leadership of the Sustainability Institute at the Lynedoch Eco Village.

The Umzi Wethu Conservation Academy is situated in the rural town of Somerset East in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. The Academy focuses on training future conservation leaders as either field rangers (NQF2 Conservation Resource Guardianship) or field guides (FGASA Level 1). It is located close to the Boschberg Mountain Reserve and other private game reserves which allow for easy access to practical experience.

The classrooms and students are housed in two historic buildings which were previously home to the Bellevue School. All students are catered for in the residence and the premises are provided in-kind by Wilderness Foundation’s local government partner, the Blue Crane Development Agency.

The Umzi Wethu Hospitality Academy in Port Elizabeth is based at the Eastern Province Child and Youth Care centre. Here students are equipped to enter hospitality jobs in urban and rural establishments. The programmeis currently focused around the National Certificate in Professional Cookery (NQF 4). Read more