Ten of the 23 organisations that attended the Eco Indaba in March 2026 were represented at the inaugural meeting. Various reasons were given why more didn’t attend, such as ‘not enough time before the invite was sent out’ and possible public march disruption on the day.
Six organisations present became full members of the Alliance, namely Coastal Rewilding, Betty’s Bay Conservancy (BBC), Kogelberg Villages Environmental Trust (KVET), Rooiels Conservancy, Betty’s Bay Baboon Action Group (BBBAG), and the Kogelberg Branch of the Botanical Society of South Africa. Each of these will have representation on the first council, with two additional members and a coordinator elected at their first meeting. Their main work is to organise the AGM in early September.
Photo: Bernadette Crewe-Brown
The rest of the 23 organisations need to be contacted and invited to become members. The council members need to be represented from across the region, in order to fairly include the important concerns that might not affect e.g. the Kogelberg groups directly yet be of importance to everyone.
I liked the fact that the Alliance intends to be inclusive, and with a council of eight, plus a coordinator. The council will respect all concerns presented by the member organisations and by individuals, across the greater Overstrand region.
I enjoyed the vigorous discussion over the constitution contents, going over each clause, which was in language that was easy to understand.
Only ‘suggestions of concerns’ were made, and it was emphasised that each concern raised would be thoroughly discussed and assessed by the full council. Rules as to whether a concern is strategically carried out depends on a 75% threshold on members. Some suggestions were poaching of resources, plastic pollution, baboon and penguin management, and nuclear issues.
How members conduct themselves to the public and authorities is important in order to present the correct facts and have an approach that is appealing rather than abrasive.
Overall, the knowledge base of people in that meeting was impressive with a multitude of skills present and insights into a host of wide topics that can meaningfully contribute to the betterment of the natural environment in the greater Overstrand region.
I wish the Alliance well in their interactions with each other and any government authority as well.
Barbara Jenman
Compiled by Carol Clark and proofread by Patrick Bolttler