Hedwig is no stranger to BOT SOC’s Council. She served on Council from 2019-2021. She has also served on the West Coast Branch of Bot Soc for many years, including as Vice-Chairperson and Chairperson (a position she has held since 2018). She also serves on the West Coast Biosphere Reserve Board, and is closely involved with tourism on the West Coast. 

Hedwig has always had a love of plants, studying Botany and Zoology as part of her BA degree (BA Fine Art) at the University of Cape Town. Here she majored in printmaking and book design. 

Frank has served as Treasurer & then Chair of the BOT SOC Lowveld Branch, since 2010. He served on BOT SOC Council in 2013-14 and again 2021-22 . He graduated with a BComm degree from the University of KwaZulu-Natal and attended a Programme for Management Development course at Harvard Business School in Boston, USA.

Frank’s love of nature is clear through his involvement and support of nature-based organisations. Aside from his involvement in Bot Soc he has also served as Treasurer and Chair of BirdLife Lowveld from 2003 until February 2022.

Although he worked as an environmental journalist for many years, Rob Soutter is best known from his incredible work and legacy at WWF South Africa. He joined the conservation NGO in 1983 as Conservation Director. And in 1991 Rob moved to Switzerland, to the headquarters of WWF, where he led a major revision of WWF’s global governance.

Rob also became more involved with the fundraising side: He ran a successful two-year CHF 25 million major donor initiative. And in 1998 through his funding drive using high-level events, protected area gains in over 70 countries were secured.

Nicole is a SACNASP-registered Candidate Scientist in the field of Ecology with experience in project coordination, and implementation, specialising in habitat conservation, natural resource management, ecological restoration of lowland fynbos and renosterveld, and stakeholder engagement.

Bradley Bergh is a business accountant with a degree in Accounting Science and 30 years of post-articles commercial and management experience. He is deeply caring about the environment and leads by example to facilitate change through engaging and supporting others in his work.

Beneke has a qualification in B Tech Electrical Engineering.  A born Swellendammer, Beneke, BOT SOC Southern Overberg branch member, is very familiar with the Ruggens renosterveld as well as Langeberg mountain fynbos.  Owner of the farm Wolfkloof (adjoining Marloth Nature Reserve), his keen interest is indigenous trees and plants, which he propagates in his free time. He experiments on seed germination from scat and droppings. Re-wilding is part of his future view. He is a keen instructor to overseas volunteers regularly visiting his farm and enjoys educating youth.