Landowners, Selati members and friends of Selati undertook a review of their strategic options particularly in relation to questions on how to secure long-term sustainability of this wilderness area. The available options identified have been significantly influenced by the negative pressures on this environment with regard to rhino poaching, elephant population management, the ongoing drought and the substantially increased financial burden of maintaining this pristine low human footprint Lowveld wilderness area. This is a unique conservation responsibility and a decision to “spread the word” hoping to identify and attract like-minded individuals and entities in this important endeavour.
With this in mind a Non-Profit Company has been established, ‘The Selati Wilderness Foundation’ with the 3 primary objectives as outlined on the home page.
The NPC is also registered with the Department of Social Welfare as a Non-Profit Organisation as well as with the South African Revenue Services as a Public Benefit Organisation. It is also a member of the Independent Code for non-profit entities The board of directors of the NPC comprises three individuals associated with the Selati Game Reserve and one independent director as follows:
Rob Snaddon:
Rob was the driving force in negotiating with surrounding farmers and owners in creating the Selati Game Reserve and the establishment of the Constitution. For a large portion of Selati’s existence Rob was its chairman and guided the reserve to what it is today. Rob was previously managing director of the family company HL Hall & Sons for many years and until recently was non-executive chairman of their Board of Directors.
Alan du Toit (Chairman):
Alan is an owner on the reserve who has served on the Selati Board of Directors for many years. He is a current Exco member at Selati. Alan graduated with B.Sc Honours in Geology and Geophysics and is a conservationist.
Garth Batchelor:
Garth Studied Zoology at the University of Natal, his Honours at Rhodes and completed an M.Sc and Ph.D at the Rand Afrikaans University. He worked as Director for Environmental management for the Mpumalanga Provincial Government. Garth is well known for his research on birds and has received two Owl Awards from Birdlife South Africa. His research on Crowned Eagles was also acknowledged by the Endangered Wildlife Trust when he received the ‘Raptor Conservationist of the year Award‘ in 2013.
Pieter Wessels:
Pieter is the newest board member, joining the Foundation in 2022. He is the Managing Director of the automotive division at Lightstone. He leads a dynamic team of auto experts that provide workflow, data and analytical solutions to the automotive industry. Under his leadership, the business entered a new era where multiple companies were consolidated into a single efficient operation, adding value to several key players and organisations within the industry.
Val Joubert:
Val is a conservationist and was a resident owner in Selati Game Reserve from 1996 to 2022. Born in Canada, raised and educated in England. Val has lived in Africa since 1982 starting in Zambia’s Luangwa Valley, moving to Botswana Linyanti and Selinda areas with late husband artist Keith Joubert. She has travelled extensively in Africa’s wildlife areas as a freelance travel writer and photographer and has also owned an art gallery in Chobe Botswana.
The NPC understands that to achieve its stated objectives it will require a sustained effort over many years. Part of the journey to achieve these objectives lies in communicating with a wide range of audiences, to engage with the general public (who have a specific interest in conservation / wildlife / wilderness), government, NGOs, tertiary institutions, research and conservation bodies, and the local community. The NPC envisage that success on this journey will result in the following outcomes:
