To wake up every day and to love what you do, whilst making a difference and having a positive impact on conservation in Africa, just about sums up the 25 years I have been with Peace Parks. What a privilege and an honour.
Werner Myburgh, CEO of Peace Parks Foundation, this year celebrates a remarkable quarter-century journey with the organisation! His commitment, passion and determination explain why he has come so far – and has no intention of going anywhere…
His incredible adventure with the organisation began in June 1998. While studying conservation and biodiversity, Werner heard of a six-week consultancy position on offer at a tiny NGO in the Winelands in South Africa. He quickly hot-footed it to Stellenbosch, hand-delivering his CV with unwavering good faith to the housekeeper, as he had arrived after hours. The rest, as they say, is history. Swiftly welcomed in, his appointment took the Peace Parks staff to eight people, with a mighty vision operating on a tiny budget.
It was very early days, but we were standing on the shoulders of giants. A lot of people said that it was just not going to happen, but it did.
Werner Myburgh, reflecting with resolute positivity on the ambitious prospects of Peace Parks Foundation from the outset, realised with the guidance given by Dr Anton Rupert, President Nelson Mandela and HRH Prince Bernhard of The Netherlands.
Werner’s leadership guided this small but determined family on the challenging path to becoming a major player in the NGO conservation space. Together with a growing team and dedicated partners, it was proven possible to unite numerous countries in working to conserve immense landscapes across international borders, rewilding, restoring connectivity to ecosystems and promoting shared natural resources and sustainable, inclusive development. His ambition for Conservation at Scale became a reality, a transformative force across transboundary landscapes.
As Peace Parks this year shares Werner’s milestone of 25 years in existence, we express our deepest appreciation for all that he has done. He has greatly contributed to a future of #NatureWithoutBorders.
