The glitz and glam of the spotlight, TV cameras and magnificent functions are not what my type of environmental journalism has been about. Strangely, I started Conservation Mag with this in mind to highlight unsung heroes' great work, so our paths merge. Securing an invite to this electrifying event in Cape Town isn't just an invitation; it's your ticket to making a real impact on our blue planet.
And the winners are...
Nature Conservation – Tale of Two Leopards – Cape Town
Climate Change – Mary Scholes – Johannesburg
Eco-Innovation – Urban Surfer – Johannesburg
Circular Economy & Waste Innovation – ACEN – KZN, Ballito
Water Conservation – The Water Hub – Cape Town, Franschhoek
Eco-Fashion and Lifestyle – The Joinery – Cape Town
Eco-Health and Wellness – Esse Skincare – KZN
Eco-Friendly Products – Bokashi Bran – Gauteng, Roodepoort
Eco-Community – Backyard Farms – Cape Town, Somerset West
Eco-Angel – Helen Turnbell, CEO Cape Leopard Trust – Cape Town
Eco-Warrior – All Rise Attorneys – KZN
Eco-Community – eThekwini – KZN
Eco-Intelligence – Mark Anderson, CEO of BirdLife SA – Cape Town
Visit Cape Town
There is an infectious feeling of optimism and comradery in the air when a group of like-minded individuals celebrate the incredible work done by local individuals, organisations, and communities to build a greener and more eco-logical world. And that’s precisely what the 2023 Eco-Logic Awards, which took place in November at the Two Oceans Aquarium, is about.
High-profile guests, eco-conscious CEOs and celebrities, and eco-champions from around South Africa paid tribute to each bronze, silver, and gold winner across 13 impactful categories. A shout-out was given to those who wowed the audience and took home some great prizes for their ‘Glamorously Green’-themed outfits.
Whilst the awards were celebrated in a fun and light-hearted way with the well-loved comedian Nik Rabinowitz as the host on stage, alongside co-host Zandile Ndhlovu aka, The Black Mermaid, the awards ceremony provides a serious and vital national platform to showcase and promote those individuals, organisations, products, and services that are doing good for ‘people and planet’.
“Each year, it becomes increasingly important and effective for us as individuals to play our part and contribute to solving today’s environmental challenges, and we can do this by leveraging our consumer spending power and supporting those who are committed to building a sustainable society and environment,” says David Parry-Davies, editor of The Enviropaedia and founder of the Eco-Logic Awards.
The awards, being televised now on People's Weather DStv channel 180 and Openview channel 115 on the 2nd and 16th of December at 8 am or 2 pm, show off just some of the magic from the evening.
Without further ado, here are our 2023 Eco-Logic winners in running order of gold, silver and bronze:
Nature Conservation Award | Sponsored by Ford WildLife
● Tale of Two Leopards: Cape Leopard Trust & Endangered Wildlife Trust
● The Centre for Rehabilitation of Wildlife (CROW)
● Grootbos Green Futures Foundation
Climate Change | Sponsored by Daily Maverick: Our Burning Planet
● Mary Scholes
● GreenCape’s SA Climate Change Champs project
● AfriSAM
Eco-Innovation | Supported by NCPCSA
● Urban Surfer
● Wetland-in-a-Box: Vertical Up Flow Modular Constructed Wetland Water Treatment System
● EWT: A high-tech solution that saves threatened birds from power line collisions
Circular Economy & Waste Innovation | Sponsored by Interwaste
● ACEN (African Circular Economy Network)
● AECI Women in Waste Management Project
● Sun International – Time Square
Water Conservation | Sponsored by Rand Water
● The Water Hub
● Vergelegen Wine Estate
● JoJo
Eco-Fashion and Lifestyle | Sponsored by Pick n Pay Clothing
● The Joinery
● LEVI
● The Legacy Collection
Eco-Health and Wellness
● Esse Skincare
● SOiL Organic Aromatherapy
● The Apothecary Skin & Personal care range
Eco-Friendly Products | Sponsored by ElectroLux SA
● Bokashi Bran
● ProNature Paints
● Ener-G-Africa - Clean Cooking Stove Implementation Programmes
Eco-Friendly Community | Sponsored by Danone
● Backyard Farms
● Kabega Primary
● Mosselbank River Conservation Team
Eco-Angel | Sponsored by The Endangered Wildlife Trust
● Helen Turnbull - CEO Cape Leopard Trust
● Jane Trembath - Korsman Conservancy
● Jonathan Leeming
Eco-Warrior | Sponsored by PolyCo SA
● All Rise Attorneys
● Ntsindiso Nongcavu - Coastal Links
● Makoma Lekalakala - Earthlife Africa
Eco-Intelligence | Sponsored by GCX
● Mark Anderson – CEO of BirdLife SA
David Parry-Davies concludes with thanks. “I would like to extend a massive thank you to our sponsors; without their generous support, our annual award show wouldn’t be possible. A heartfelt thank you to the team that worked tirelessly behind the scenes to bring such a spectacular evening together. And to each eco-champion who dedicates their time and energy to contribute to this beautiful planet! Until next year.”