Pride Trails
The Pride Project, which is managed and co-ordinated by Wilderness Foundation Africa, was developed to fulfil the need for an environmental education outreach programme among vulnerable youth from urban and rural areas. Pride Projects run in wilderness areas throughout South Africa in the past have introduced over 3 000 primary and senior learners to a one-day, entry-level outdoor experience every year. The experience has been proven to help stimulate the learners’ interest in their immediate natural environment and concern for its preservation and conservation.
The sustained funding of 70% of the Projects’ running costs has been achieved through the sale of spring water through our funder Woolworths, which carries the Wilderness Foundation logo. Further funding is gathered from the support of various schools and private enterprises which are passionate about the project. Wilderness Foundation Africa recognizes that the sustainability of South Africa’s wild lands and wilderness is dependent on its social and economic sustainability. The Pride Project helps to instil pride and responsibility among South Africa’s previously disadvantaged youth with regards to their natural heritage.
The first Pride Project was launched in 1996 in partnership with the Wilderness Foundation, WWF – Table Mountain Fund and Woolworths. It was named after a butterfly called the ‘Table Mountain beauty/Mountain Pride’ – in acknowledgement of where the first trail took place. To date, almost 30 000 youths have been reached through the Pride Projects.
Pride of Table Mountain
Tourists travel from across the world to come here and walk on it. It’s an intrinsic part of Cape Town’s identity and it’s one of the new Seven Wonders of the World. It also casts a heavy shadow across the city. But imagine seeing Table Mountain in plain sight every day and never setting foot on it!
Through the PRIDE OF TABLE MOUNTAIN programme, over 25 000 children from the outlying areas of Cape Town have now had the opportunity to walk on the mountain and visit the world-famous gardens beneath it.
Every second Saturday, from February to November buses fetch 40-50 children and take them to Kirstenbosch Gardens and then on to Table Mountain for a fun, educational walking excursion where they learn about fauna and flora. The messages of conservation, healthy living and biodiversity are clearly communicated.
Outings and routes are also arranged for partially sighted, blind and mentally challenged people who may have otherwise not been able to tour Kirstenbosch or hike on Table Mountain.
Sharon McCallum believes that the success of the project is largely driven by the volunteer leaders, whose dedication and commitment is infectious. “We wondered why our leaders joined and many of them have said that they had such an incredible experience when they visited that they wanted to share it with others.”
Most of the committed group of leaders of around 20 youths have been part of the programme for more than 7 years. Guides learn practical skills from how to give and deal with constructive criticism, to how to use leadership in everyday life.
From Sipho, the eldest, who has been with Pride of Table Mountain for 18 years, to his 17-year-old son, who is the youngest and is now also a junior ranger volunteer, the programme inspires full allegiance from the Leaders. For many now, Pride is their life.
Several of the leaders have gone on to take formal jobs in the eco-tourism industries and conservation. Some have opened their own nongovernmental organisations and continue the message of empowerment, conservation and overall pride in the natural beauty of South Africa.
The leaders develop confidence and also enjoy increased status in their communities. “In their township, people say ‘that man takes people on tours on Table Mountain’”. Table Mountain no longer looms in the distance and has been brought that much closer to home.