Rock the Boat Programme

‘Urban permaculture is only slightly about gardening and mostly about people’ Toby Hemingway

A heart-felt thank you

A brief overview of her experience at the Premier Skills training

Making the connection between good nutrition and sport

18 July is yet another opportunity to spread the love to those less fortunate

Our excursion based environmental education programme that aims to inspire a passion for the environment

The Siyakhula Careers, Employability and Enterprise Programme reaches new heights

Raising funds for our development canoeing project - Rock the Boat

The past year had been one of phenomenal growth and achievement for the Grootbos Foundation.

The 24-hour Football Tournament has come to an end, but what an event it was! From midday Friday the 10th of February to midday on Saturday the 11th of February family, friends and crowds gathered at the Masakhane football field supporting and playing in the 24Hours of non-stop football.

Camera Traps - effective tools for conservation

We are hosting a 24 Hour Football Challenge in Masakhane to raise funds towards a 21 seater bus!

Born in Makhado (Limpopo), Thilivhali is the third of six children. At school, he gravitated towards the natural sciences, Biology and Geography. The natural world fascinated him and sparked his dream of travelling, exploring and discovering.

PASSION and CARING are the words that best describe Siyabonga.

We recently added a bit of colour to an otherwise concrete 11 metre wall at our community farm project.

Grootbos Charity Concert at Bona Dea Private Estate on the 9th of December

The sad reality is that nearly 14 million South Africans face the daily challenge of having enough food on the table.

The motivation for the water safety programme came from the knowledge that living close to the sea, drowning is a frequent reality

Written for the kids by the kids!

Prudence started filling in as solely in relief positions for people that were on holiday. Recognizing her work ethic and dedication, she was made permanent member of the Grootbos housekeeping team in 2015. In June, she was selected for the 6-month Grootbos Foundation housekeeping training programme.

Since the start of the canoeing programme in May, the programme and it’s participants have gone from strength to strength.

The Grootbos Foundation proudly announces that the Table Mountain Fund has decided to render significant support to develop our flagship conservation project, the Green Corridor.

Learn to kick, to punch, to go to your limit to become a better and self-disciplined learner? This was the goal of the martial arts program “ŠAKA”, which was launched as a temporary pilot at the Football Foundation, at Gansbaai Primêr (Blompark).

My parents are Hein and Maudie. I am the oldest of 3 children. My father is employed in the local municipality and my mother is a seasonal worker at the local fish factory. They are trying their utmost best to give their children the best academic education. I’m in my second year of playing rugby. It is also my second year representing my province in ruby on a provincial level. My interest in ru

The Foundation’s food security project will establish two community garden centres, offering much-needed training and support.

Grootbos Foundation is stepping up its environmental vision with plans to spearhead a green conservation corridor.

Work place experience provides learners with a unique opportunity to build useful skills and gain valuable exposure.

The Grootbos Foundation Green Futures training college is helping Sisanda and others make their dreams come true.

During winter the blossoming pink Erica and the bees produce rare honey exclusive to Grootbos.

Our Siyakhula Growing the Futures farm continues to produce 100% pure fynbos honey that is unique to Grootbos.

Together with Stanford Canoe Club we have started a canoeing project to benefit children in the area.

What an internship with the Grootbos Foundation looks like!

Thanks to Grootbos Foundation’s Careers, Employability and Enterprise programme, Lubeni’s Internet Café is up and running.

“The Grootbos Foundation is willing to help people who want to achieve something in life and I am grateful for that.” - Zokhanya (Zozo) Bikani

Thandeka Ngcabashe has a passion for plants and loves being outdoors, she hopes to one day work at large nursery, possibly in Kirstenbosch.

After 10 years of dedication, Mziyanda Matiwane oversees all Football Foundation soccer teams and is the head coach of the U13/14 boys team.

Tell us about your most memorable Grootbos Foundation experience and you could be winner!

Students were treated to an interactive learning experience at the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden.

Local football coaches participate in a three-day coaching course to enhance and develop their training skills.

Two staff members have been given the opportunity to uncover and develop their jewellery making skills.

Nearly 100 students took part in entrepreneurship camps in the Overberg, facilitated by the Grootbos Foundation.

12 students have completed the rigorous selection process for the Green Futures horticultural training.

Nature scientists are exploring all the flora and fauna on the Grootbos Reserve and the Walker Bay Conservancy.

The German Men's Hockey Team paid our Grootbos hockey players a surprise visit.

Our volunteers, Andy and Caroline, compiled this great Valentine’s clip on what it is that everyone affiliated to the Grootbos Foundation loves. Take a look!

We would love to welcome all tweeters to our #LoveInAbundance Twitter chat on 11 February 2016.

Off to the Uylenvlei Retreat for a highly anticipated Female Empowerment Programme.

The Grootbos Foundation hosted a garden-to-table style lunch experience.

The 16th of December marked a historical event at Grootbos.

German Lewis, our cross-country superstar has been awarded Boland Athlete of the Year.

Our coaches Bulelani Mtobela and Mziyanda Matiwane have graduated and successfully achieved a level 2 rating.

This year we installed eight cameras at Grootbos, and so far have received amazing results.

Joanita Vivier is working on our frogging list for the Grootbos Reserve and Walker Bay Conservancy.

The Growing the Future honey project produces a high quality, ethically produced honey.

The Growing the Future honey project produces a high quality, ethically produced honey.

In support of swimming and water safety, the Point to Point team completed a 90 km run.

Grootbos Private Nature Reserve recently featured on the lifestyle blog, Whiskey and Wanderlust.

During our year-end fundraiser on 16 December at Forest Lodge, we will auction off some key pieces of art.

View our 2015 Annual Report and see what exciting things the Grootbos Foundation has been up to.

From 26 - 28 November a team of four from the Football Foundation will be participating in a 90 kilometer run.

16 December - a very exclusive concert at 18h00 at Forest Lodge on Grootbos Private Nature Reserve.

Kwêla came to visit and captured our Grootbos Foundation in all its glory! Take a look

Katarina author of the lifestyle blog, My Slow Journey, has featured Grootbos in one of her recent posts.

This week, Grootbos had the honour of hosting Loubie Rusch, an expert in fynbos foraging.

Second camp a huge success

The past year the Siyakhula Careers, Employability and Enterprise Programme engaged a total of 1,992 learners at the 5 high schools.

Three young junior guides discover the wonders of nature guiding

The Siyakhula Careers, Employability and Enterprise Programme funded by ABSA is reaping amazing results and success stories abound.

Siyakhula Growing the Future Farm gets a major boost in productivity

“The Green Futures team celebrated the completion of the 18 month Haw & Inglis contract with a sumptuous braai at Sophie’s Place in Elim on Thursday 17 September

On Friday the 14th August our Gansbaai Premier Skills Trainers were visited by Premier Skills Assessors to monitor and evaluate their progress since being part of the Premier Skills Training that started in February 2014.

Grootbos Foundation successfully launches a new skills training programme to its basket of creating livelihoods for local unskilled and unemployed residents.

The unique Erica irregularis plant isn’t the only magical moment blossoming at Grootbos this winter.

Excelling as a guide at five-star nature reserve Grootbos, passionate about plants and with big plans for the future, Anecke is a community success story and a remarkable advocate for Responsible Tourism. 

Community spirit and supporting local initiatives

With the Hawston Primary project in full swing, Jack Garrett our Sheffield Hallam coach reports:

On Friday 15th May 2015, Johan Strydom, the farm manager at the Growing the Futures project run by the Grootbos Foundation, took children from Laerskool Gansbaai on a farm visit

A gutsy performance from both the under 15s and under 17s Grootbos Football Foundation teams pleases the coaches away at Kleinmond

Food4Sport Graduation at Die Bron Primary School

July's Story

Grootbos Private Nature Reserve is the joint gold winner in the African Responsible Tourism Awards: Poverty Reduction 2015.

Easter Holiday fun!

Moving Sushi recently visited the Grootbos Foundation and experienced firsthand the life-changing initiatives to build capacity for local rural residents

Sean Privett, Director of the Grootbos Foundation and world renowned conservationist announced a new vegetation survey is on the cards

Kick-off bonding weekend for Female Empowerment students at Uilenkraalsmond

Grootbos Green Futures Foundation College Students off to Eden Project, Cornwall, UK

Grootbos once again shortlisted as finalists for prestigious award!

A teaser for the Autumn newsletter coming out next week

Educating disenfranchised youth on growing your own food

Food for Sport had a surprise visit from a special guest

Students receive seed grants and feedback

Update on the Hermanus sports program

Judith Macgregor came to see us!

Video update on our SunTV from SolarWorld

U-15 Travel to Cape Town

Annual christmas play, talent show and awards ceremony

Hospitality Training

Congrats to Snow, Zokhanya & Ntembeko!

Coaches Bule & Mzi Visit Joburg for Training

Thank you!

This month's Green Future's outing took guides, students & staff to Table Mountain

FFSA Hockey teams from Gansbaai, Stanford & Hermanus participate in friendly tournament

Grootbos & LED host 3-day entrepreneurship camp

Last week's Holiday Programme focused on marine life, water safety & recycling

Art Mural Fundraiser

International SEED Award Win

ABSA Siyakhula Careers, Employability and Enterprise programme

Farewell, Zolani

Girl Power

Fernkloof Flower Show

IISP Success

Home Grown Honey

Bafana Bafana Field Trip

Our Landscapers' Challenge

Meet the Coach!

Candle Production Takes Off

Grootbos colleague and friend, Brummer Olivier, has passed away

First Female Empowerment Programme Comes to a Close