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Grootbos Foundation

From its very inception, The Grootbos Private Nature Reserve based in the Overberg was always going to be more than a luxury travel destination.

The Grootbos Foundation was set up in 2003 as a non-profit organisation that would work to conserve the critically endangered fynbos, while also focusing on the training and skills development of the surrounding communities.

Our Projects

Grootbos owners the Lutzeyer family established The Grootbos Foundation in 2003.
Beyond our programmes, we conduct research into ecological, educational and social issues – and then craft impactful solutions.
Your stay at Grootbos leaves a positive impact behind you when you leave.

Community. Culture. Commerce. Conservation.

We’re an organisation dedicated to empowering others through ecotourism, enterprise development, sports development and education.

All of our projects are replicable and scalable, with many generating their own income or becoming partially self-sustaining. From beekeeping to animal husbandry, recycling candles to coaching soccer, computer training to clearing alien vegetation, each programme has been carefully considered to build a brighter future for the people who live here, as well as the environment.

Siyakhula

Siyakhula means Growing the Future and this project combines a variety of initiatives to support local communities.

Green Futures

The Green Futures Adult Education and Training College offers courses in indigenous horticulture, hospitality and guiding.

Football Foundation

The Football Foundation runs daily training sessions in soccer, netball, hockey and athletics for about 7000 youth each year.

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Volunteer Programme

Our volunteer and intern programme provides much needed assistance, capacity and skills to the sport programmes.

See Foundation Website

5 000 Kilograms of organic produce grown

110 Hives of organic honey farmed

50 International volunteers and interns

7 993 Participants in sports development activities

959 160 Contact hours with sports outreach participants

37 790 Recycled candles produced

2 370 Education beneficiaries

2 759 Hectares of alien vegetation cleared

Staff

Zokhanyo Bekani

Community Farm Supervisor & Facilitator

Ziyanda Metsho

Spaza Shop Assistant

Zimasa Gobingca

Spaza Assistant

Viola Siyotywa

Green Futures Lecturer

Susanna Lochner

Early Learning Centre Project Manager

Siyabonga Mankayi

Community Farm Asistant

Simone Davel

Project Manager

Shereen Van Der Merwe

Hockey Coach

Sharlene De Villiers

Nursery & Landscaping Manager

Sean Privett

Conservation Director

Ruth Crichton

Pr & Communications Manager

Rebecca Dames

Environmental Officer

Power Nonkwekwe

Assistant Beekeeper

Pontsho Chiloane

Community Farm Manager

Natasha Bredekam

Football Foundation Project Manager

Mziyanda Matiwane

Soccer Coach

Lindsay Hanekom

Operations Manager

Lily Upton

Community Farm Project Manager

Karin Blumer

Fundraising Manager

Julie Cheetham

Managing Director

Johan Strydom

Growing The Future Farm Manager

Danver August

Coach (Rugby/Cricket)

Corrie Avenant

Coach (Athletics/Rugby/Cricket)

Celina Danisa

Nursery Support

Bulelani Bashe

Nursery Support

Anchelle Damon

Ecd Facilitator & Netball Coach