HOW GKS AND ONE YOUNG WOMAN ARE REDEFINING THE FUTURE OF CONSERVATION IN SOUTH AFRICA
At the Greater Kromme Stewardship (GKS), we believe that meaningful conservation is as much about people as it is about nature. Behind every protected landscape and restored wetland, there are individuals who care deeply, work tirelessly, and bring fresh energy and ideas into the sector.
One of those individuals is Nelisa Mpama, a former intern whose journey from a small rural community in the Eastern Cape to a national leader in sustainability shows just how transformative the right opportunity can be.
A Connection to Nature, Born Early
Nelisa’s love for the environment isn’t something she discovered in a lecture hall. It’s something she lived.
Growing up in a rural village in the Eastern Cape, she witnessed firsthand how environmental degradation — like deforestation and water scarcity — was impacting both ecosystems and the people around her.
“It became personal,” she says. “I saw what was being lost and knew I had to do something. That’s why I chose to study Conservation Science.”
Struggling to Find Her Place
Even with degrees in hand — funded through the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) and National Research Foundation (NRF) — Nelisa’s early career path was anything but easy.
“After my undergraduate degree, I applied to more than 25 jobs. I only got one interview, and I didn’t get the job,” she says.
“I felt invisible. I was discouraged, but I wasn’t ready to give up.”
She chose to continue studying, completing both her Honours and Master’s degrees — applying for job after job in between — often with little to no response.
Then a friend sent her a link to an internship opportunity with the Greater Kromme Stewardship.
“I didn’t even know where Jeffreys Bay was at the time,” Nelisa laughs. “But I applied — and it changed everything.”
A Turning Point: The GKS Internship
At GKS, Nelisa finally found what she’d been searching for: a place to grow. She was immersed in practical conservation work — engaging with landowners, attending stakeholder forums, leading environmental education initiatives, and learning the ins and outs of biodiversity stewardship.
“What I loved about GKS was how hands-on everything was. It wasn’t just theory — it was real. And the team believed in me.”
Through mentorship and experiential learning, she gained the confidence and skills that would soon open new doors.
Growing into Leadership
After her time with GKS, Nelisa secured a role at Woodlands Dairy as a Sustainability Officer, focusing on energy and water efficiency, carbon reporting, and sustainable sourcing.
In 2023, she joined Stellenbosch University as an Environmental Sustainability Specialist, where she now plays a leading role in implementing the university’s Environmental Sustainability Plan — a roadmap to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.
“Everything I’m doing now, I can trace back to the foundation that GKS helped me build,” she says.
Looking Ahead
Nelisa is passionate about creating stronger links between the private sector and conservation, and sees herself playing a bigger role in building sustainable, climate-resilient systems that benefit both people and the planet.
“I want to help shape a future where businesses, communities, and nature all thrive — not in competition, but in collaboration.”
She also hopes to mentor other young women navigating the same challenges she once faced — those who feel unseen, discouraged, or unsure of how to break into a tough industry.
“If my story can give just one person hope, then it’s worth sharing.”
A Message from GKS
At GKS, we’re deeply proud of Nelisa and what she’s gone on to achieve. Her journey reminds us that conservation isn’t only about land — it’s about the people who care enough to protect it.
Our internship and mentorship programmes are designed to give young professionals the chance to gain meaningful, hands-on experience while being supported by people who believe in them.
“Conservation needs more stories like Nelisa’s,” says Maggie Langlands of the GKS. “And we’re committed to helping make them happen.”