WETREST aims to provide high-quality training and mentorship to cultivate a new generation of ethical wetland stewards and professionals, and empower individuals, communities, and organisations with the knowledge and skills necessary for wetland conservation and management.
We strive to build partnerships and foster better collaboration with research institutions, governmental and non-governmental organisations, communities, and other stakeholders to leverage expertise, resources, and collective action for effective wetland conservation.
TMAC is a non-profit organization established in 2015 by Ramugondo Pfarelo Rebecca, with the support of the Department of Water Affairs and the Department of Environmental Affairs. Their aim is to empower communities to voluntarily rehabilitate wetlands, clear waste from the rivers and water bodies, and address waste and environmental degradation. TMAC has approximately 456 volunteers who are working within 96 villages in Vhembe District Municipality in the Limpopo Province.
WETREST became involved in 2022 to support TMAC, mainly in the form of mentoring and training to enhance interventions in, and decision-making around, wetlands in their area. This includes Prioritising wetlands and springs for interventions, identifying impacts and interventions, identifying training required, and facilitating the development of training material and events.
Our TMAC community liaison officers are Sandra and Derek Visagie, who together have decades of experience in environmental and wetland management, project management, and civil and building works.
Should you wish to become involved to support TMAC, please contact Sandra at sandra.visagie007@gmail.com
WETREST offers support to students and early career professionals: either through in-house skills and expertise, or by facilitating external support from the wetland community. This support can entail any of the following:
- Financial support for students to attend conferences or training;
- A financial contribution to the research of the student;
- Technical support of research; and
- In-field training and/or mentorship.
This support is dependent on available funding and the capacity of WETREST staff and partners.