Andrew Muir
Environmental activist and social entrepreneur
Born 06-11-1965
in Cape Town
South Africa
Described as an environmental activist, conservationist, and community leader, Andrew Muir has dedicated his life to conservation and social development.
Andrew was mentored by conservation icon Dr Ian Player for 13 years, and took over his legacy in the management of the various organisations that Player had founded, including the world famous Wilderness Leadership School and Wilderness Foundation.
As CEO of the Wilderness Foundation, Andrew is involved in projects dedicated to social and environmental reform. He founded the South African based Umzi Wethu programme in 2006. The programme targets vulnerable youth that show resilience and ambition, but despair of opportunities to support their households, and gives them the skills and training to become highly employable young adults. The programme saw Andrew honoured as an International Rolex Awards Laureate in 2008.
He has a Masters Degree in Environment and Development from the University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg and serves on a number of non-profit and conservation boards.
Business Address
Andrew Muir's Professional details
Current Position(s)
Partner | Conservation Council of Nations
Washington, United States of America | 2011 - present
Environment and Conservation
(CCN): Andrew Muir represents the Wilderness Foundation as a partner of the CCN. The Council aims to bridge the gap between the public and private sectors to promote an effective long-term approach to natural resource management worldwide
Environment and Conservation
(ICCF): Andrew Muir represents the Wilderness Foundation as a partner of the ICCF. The ICCF aims to achieve global conservation solutions by uniting corporate leaders, NGOs and policymakers.
Environment and Conservation
Andrew Muir is on the board of the school as an environmental advisor. The school provides a portfolio of management and leadership development programmes to empower and enhance working individuals, leaders and the human resources of stakeholders in staff and organizational development functions.
Environment and Conservation
Andrew Muir is the deputy chairman of the EC Parks and Tourism Agency. He has been involved in the organisation since its inception, and is the longest serving board member. The board acts as a tourism facilitator for the province and oversees 22 local reserves including the environmentally significant Baviaanskloof Mega Reserve, the Great Fish River Nature Reserve and Mkambati Nature Reserve.
Chairman | Oliver Foundation
Port Elizabeth, South Africa | 2009 - present
Social Development and Community Services
Andrew Muir is the chairman of the Oliver Foundation in South Africa. The Oliver Foundation is committed to creating a meaningful and sustainable impact in under-resourced communities, primarily in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa, focusing on empowering disadvantaged and vulnerable people to create personal self-sustainability.
Member | Conservation Alliance
Cape Town, South Africa | 2008 - present
Environment and Conservation
Conservation Alliance (formerly the Climate Action Partnership or CAP): Andrew Muir is a member of CA, an alliance of major NGOs across South Africa focussing on climate change. The alliance has agreed to extend its reach and focus on all major conservation issues across the country. It meets four times a year. The members of the alliance believe that by working together, they can have a bigger and more sustainable environmental impact. The alliance aims to increase cooperation between various environmental NGOs and help eliminate confusion among stakeholders.
Founder | Umzi Wethu
Port Elizabeth, South Africa | 2005 - present
Social Development and Community Services
The goal of Umzi Wethu is to fulfil the employability potential of resilient, motivated youth displaced by HIV/AIDS and poverty by using the power of the wilderness, promoting personal wellness in a nurturing home context, providing credible training, and securing sustainable job placements in hospitality and eco-tourism establishments - while extending the program's social outreach to others.
Founder | Indalo
Port Elizabeth, South Africa | 2002 - present
Environment and Conservation
INDALO is made up of members representing a number of private nature reserves/game reserves in the Eastern Cape and, through networking, focuses on promoting socially responsible, ecologically sound land use among its members. INDALO supports non-consumptive wildlife and biodiversity based tourism.
Environment and Conservation
Andrew Muir represents the Wilderness Foundation on the boards of both the Wilderness Foundation UK and Wild Foundation USA. He has attended board meetings annually for the past ten years.
Non-executive on the board | Wilderness Leadership School
Durban, South Africa | 2001 - present
Environment and Conservation
Andrew Muir is a non-executive on the board of the Wilderness Leadership School. The WLS offers learning opportunities through experiential education by offering varying levels of outdoor experiences in wilderness and natural environments.
CEO | The Wilderness Foundation
Port Elizabeth, South Africa | 2000 - present
Social Development and Community Services
Andrew Muir has been the CEO / Executive Director of the Wilderness Foundation since 2000. The WF believes in the power of the wilderness to dissolve ethnic and economic inequalities and forge one path toward social and environmental sustainability.
Co-founder, board member | Usiko
Cape Town, South Africa | 1997 - present
Social Development and Community Services
Andrew Muir is on the board for Usiko, a Cape Town based organisation focussing on Rights of Passage for youth at risk. It was founded in 1996 by Andrew Muir and Dr Don Pinnock. The organisation aims to influence the youth by taking them through rites of passage programmes, giving them both the confidence and skills to become leaders in their communities.
Founder | Imbewu
Durban, South Africa | 1994 - present
Social Development and Community Services
Imbewu aims to introduce disadvantaged senior scholars to their natural and cultural heritage through a four day wilderness excursion in selected South African national parks including: the Kruger National Park, the Tsitsikamma National Park, the Addo Elephant National Park, the Namaqua National Park and the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park.
Previous Position(s)
Portfolio
The Ecosystem Restoration project, in operation since 2004, is part of the greater Baviaanskloof Mega-Reserve project. The Baviaanskloof Mega-Reserve conservation project is a partnership between the Wilderness Foundation and the Eastern Cape Parks and Tourism Agency (ECPTA). The Wilderness Foundation is the implementation agent for the project which aims to establish a mega-reserve by expanding and consolidating the existing protected area.
The Ecosystem Restoration project, in operation since 2004, is part of the greater Baviaanskloof Mega-Reserve project. The Baviaanskloof Mega-Reserve conservation project is a partnership between the Wilderness Foundation and the Eastern Cape Parks and Tourism Agency (ECPTA). The Wilderness Foundation is the implementation agent for the project which aims to establish a mega-reserve by expanding and consolidating the existing protected area.
The Wilderness Foundation is working together in partnership with the Vincent Mai-Family Foundation to fast-track the restoration of the Plains of the Camdeboo Private Nature Reserve.
The reserve will be used as a benchmark for future wilderness area restoration projects.
The Plains of the Camdeboo Private Nature Reserve is situated in the Great Karoo region in the south-east interior of South Africa, north of the town of Pearston in the Eastern Cape Province. It covers 8,827 hectares, and was formed in 2009 through the consolidation of 12 separate farm portions including parts of three of the original farms in the area, namely Rustenburg, Donker Hoek and Onverwagt.
The Wilderness Foundation is assisting the North West Parks and Tourism Board with the development and establishment of the Heritage Park which will join together the Pilanesberg and Madikwe Game Reserves in the North West Province of South Africa. The Heritage Park, covering a 275,000 hectare corridor, aims to become a global tourism destination which will boost the local tourism industry and contribute towards the socioeconomic development of the region.
Developed by the Wilderness Foundation to address the environmental needs of Africa, the Green Leaf Environmental Standard responds to corporate social responsibility seeking responsible and sustainable best practice.
Aimed at owners, managers, employees and consumers, the Green Leaf Environmental Standard is an internationally recognised standard for measuring green accommodation, green business, green products, green conferencing and green events.
The Green Leaf Environmental Standard head office is based in Port Elizabeth, South Africa and operates globally through the Wilderness Network in the United States, United Kingdom and Germany.
Developed by the Wilderness Foundation to address the environmental needs of Africa, the Green Leaf Environmental Standard responds to corporate social responsibility seeking responsible and sustainable best practice.
Aimed at owners, managers, employees and consumers, the Green Leaf Environmental Standard is an internationally recognised standard for measuring green accommodation, green business, green products, green conferencing and green events.
The Green Leaf Environmental Standard head office is based in Port Elizabeth, South Africa and operates globally through the Wilderness Network in the United States, United Kingdom and Germany.
Developed by the Wilderness Foundation to address the environmental needs of Africa, the Green Leaf Environmental Standard responds to corporate social responsibility seeking responsible and sustainable best practice.
Aimed at owners, managers, employees and consumers, the Green Leaf Environmental Standard is an internationally recognised standard for measuring green accommodation, green business, green products, green conferencing and green events.
The Green Leaf Environmental Standard head office is based in Port Elizabeth, South Africa and operates globally through the Wilderness Network in the United States, United Kingdom and Germany.
Developed by the Wilderness Foundation to address the environmental needs of Africa, the Green Leaf Environmental Standard responds to corporate social responsibility seeking responsible and sustainable best practice.
Aimed at owners, managers, employees and consumers, the Green Leaf Environmental Standard is an internationally recognised standard for measuring green accommodation, green business, green products, green conferencing and green events.
The Green Leaf Environmental Standard head office is based in Port Elizabeth, South Africa and operates globally through the Wilderness Network in the United States, United Kingdom and Germany.
The Wilderness Foundation launched the Forever Wild – Rhino Protection Initiative in May, 2011. The Campaign aims to gather support from the public and various stakeholders to help fight against rhino poaching in South Africa and save the rhino from extinction.
INDALO is made up of members representing a number of private nature reserves/game reserves in the Eastern Cape and, through networking, focuses on promoting socially responsible, ecologically sound land use among its members. INDALO supports non-consumptive wildlife and biodiversity based tourism.
Facilitated by the Wilderness Foundation, the Wild Leaders leadership development project is directed at business, decision-makers and leaders in the corporate and government environments.
The various Pride Projects scattered throughout wilderness areas in South Africa introduce over 3000 previously disadvantaged, 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 Imbewu project is run as a joint partnership between the Wilderness Foundation and the People & Conservation Department of the South African National Parks. Imbewu (meaning ‘seed’ in isiXhosa), is one of the main projects that fall under the Wilderness Foundation’s Leadership and Education Programme.
The Umzi Wethu / Donkin coffee shop opened its doors on Heritage Day this year, and is the latest venture by the highly successful Umzi Wethu skills training programme run by the Wilderness Foundation. After five years of successful hospitality training, the Wilderness Foundation is actively looking for opportunities to help build entrepreneurial skills in its graduates.
The Umzi Wethu Livelihoods Programme aims to equip job seekers with the skills required to find work and to become valuable employees.
In order to broaden the impact of the Wilderness Foundation’s social intervention programme and to specifically address poverty and youth employment, the Wilderness Foundation has developed a new intervention which builds on the strength of the Umzi Wethu brand. The programme will benefit up to 300 job seekers per year.
The Umzi Wethu Livelihoods Programme combines an established job readiness training programme (Work 4A Living) together with a comprehensive life skills programme. The life skills aspect of the programme takes a holistic approach to student wellness with a focus on HIV/AIDS and sexual and reproductive health, as well as environmental awareness. The environmental aspect is facilitated through “green workshops” and links with other experiential education projects within the Wilderness Foundation.
The Umzi Wethu project (www.umziwethu.org) was developed to tackle the issue of HIV/AIDS and the cycle of poverty among South Africans. The dynamic project targets displaced and vulnerable youth that show resilience and ambition, but despair of opportunities to support their households. The project offers them the opportunity to become skilled and highly employable young adults with secure, well-paying jobs in the eco-tourism industry.
Achievements
Awards
Ernst & Young and Schwab Foundation social Entrepeneur of the year Award | 2011
The Wilderness Foundation was announced as the winner in the Social Entrepreneur category for the 2011 Ernst & Young World Entrepreneur Awards Programme at the ceremony held on 17 November 2011.
Mens Health Awards - Public Good | Men's Health | 2009
Citizen of the Year Award | The EP Herald | 2008
The Rolex Awards for Enterprise
SAB Environmentalist of the Year | SAB | 2007
media exposure
Announcement of social entrepreneur finalists 2011
Volkswagen is the first vehicle manufacturer in South Africa to subscribe to Wilderness Foundation’s GreenLeaf Environmental Standards. As such, the Uitenhage plant will be measured against the following standards: carbon footprint replacement, water and energy efficiency, waste management and environmental responsibility, including employee awareness and training.
Umzi students can see clearly now.
Lifa Tshali is happy to be able to see his study materials clearly, and has also noticed an increased ability to concentrate since receiving his new glasses. “I’m also glad that I don’t have to sit right up at the front of the class to see the board anymore!”
Young adults trained in workplace skills.
Eleven young adults completed the inaugural Umzi Wethu Livelihoods Programme on October 6. The programme is one of the Wilderness Foundation’s social intervention projects aimed at the youth of the Eastern Cape and will benefit up to 300 job seekers per year.
ABSA DONATION BOOSTS UMZI WETHU.
ABSA bank’s recent R500 000 sponsorship of Umzi Wethu programme, headed by the Wilderness Foundation in Port Elizabeth, has been welcomed as a good Corporate Social Investment (CSI) with equally good returns
Sign the petition on the Wilderness Foundation website by following this link
“If Rhino poaching continues at its current rate, Rhino’s could be extinct in the wild in less than a decade.”
Ogilvy Cape Town Acts to Protect Our Rhinos: You Can Too
Wilderness Foundation calls for signatures to "Save the Rhinos" .
The Wilderness Foundation has achieved more than 10 000 names on its international Save the Rhinos petition, given the publicity surrounding the recent Save the Rhinos day. To date, over 10787 individuals have signed the petition, with comments including: "Don't let the human race be responsible for the extinction of yet another species!" and: "This shocking cruelty must be stopped immediately."
Protect our rhinos: What YOU can do.
It is crucial that the petition conveys a powerful message to international authorities. “We need as many signatures as possible to highlight the severity of the issue, and thus secure the full weight of support from the US in joining the fight to save the rhino,” says Muir.
Wilderness Foundation aiming for 10 000 Signatures on “Save the Rhinos” petition.
In recognition of World Rhino Day on Thursday, September 22, the Wilderness Foundation hopes to reach the “10,000 names” benchmark on its international Save the Rhinos petition (www.wildernessfoundation.co.za/savetherhinos/).
Volkswagen Amarok drives the Rhino Protection Initiative.
Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles today announced the sponsorship of six Volkswagen Amarok bakkies to the Rhino Protection Initiative at a media conference held at the Johannesburg Zoo. The R2-million sponsorship is part of the partnership between Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles and the Wilderness Foundation, the pioneers and administrators of the Forever Wild Rhino Protection Initiative.
Another successful graduation for Umzi Wethu Academy.
Vumile Memese is one of eighteen students to have graduated from the Umzi Wethu hospitality academy. Memese graduated on Friday July 29, 2011 together with 17 other hospitality students and 17 conservation students.
Young adults trained in workplace skills.
Eleven young adults completed the inaugural Umzi Wethu Livelihoods Programme on October 6. The programme is one of the Wilderness Foundation’s social intervention projects aimed at the youth of the Eastern Cape and will benefit up to 300 job seekers per year.
Umzi students can 'see clearly' now.
SpecSavers is a long term sponsor of the Wilderness Foundation’s Umzi Wethu skills development and job placement programme.
Wilderness Foundation hopes to reach 10,000 on “Save the Rhinos” petition
Major corporate support for award-winning Umzi Wethu programme
Wilderness Foundation nominated as a finalist in the Social entrepreneur category for the 2011 Ernst & Young World Entrepreneur Awards Programme.
On Friday 29 July 2011 the Umzi Wethu training academy for vulnerable youth celebrated the graduation of another 35 students from both the hospitality and game ranging academy.
Activities
Memberships
Wilderness Network
Member
Together the Wilderness Foundation, Wilderness Foundation UK, Wilderness Foundation Germany, Wilderness Leadership School and Wild Foundation USA form the Wilderness Network. The Network is represented at the World Wilderness Congress every four years.
Partner
Andrew Muir represents the Wilderness Foundation as a partner of the CCN. The Council aims to bridge the gap between the public and private sectors to promote an effective long-term approach to natural resource management worldwide
Partner
Andrew Muir represents the Wilderness Foundation as a partner of the ICCF. The ICCF aims to achieve global conservation solutions by uniting corporate leaders, NGOs and policymakers.
Wilderness Foundation UK and Wild Foundation USA
represents the Wilderness Foundation
Andrew Muir represents the Wilderness Foundation on the boards of both the Wilderness Foundation UK and Wild Foundation USA. He has attended board meetings annually for the past ten years.
Board member
Andrew Muir is on the board for Usiko, a Cape Town based organisation focussing on Rights of Passage for youth at risk. It was founded in 1996 by Andrew Muir and Dr Don Pinnock. The organisation aims to influence the youth by taking them through rites of passage programmes, giving them both the confidence and skills to become leaders in their communities.
Member
Conservation Alliance (formerly the Climate Action Partnership or CAP): Andrew Muir is a member of CA, an alliance of major NGOs across South Africa focussing on climate change. The alliance has agreed to extend its reach and focus on all major conservation issues across the country. It meets four times a year. The members of the alliance believe that by working together, they can have a bigger and more sustainable environmental impact. The alliance aims to increase cooperation between various environmental NGOs and help eliminate confusion among stakeholders.
Non-executive on the board
Andrew Muir is a non-executive on the board of the Wilderness Leadership School. The WLS offers learning opportunities through experiential education – by offering varying levels of outdoor experiences in wilderness and natural environments.
Wilderness Foundation
Non executive on the board of the Wilderness Foundation
Andrew Muir is a non-executive on the board of the Wilderness Foundation. The Wilderness Foundation is one of few South African Conservation NGOs currently involved with active, sustainable social intervention programmes.
Eastern Cape Parks and Tourism Agency
Deputy Chairman
Andrew Muir is the deputy chairman of the EC Parks and Tourism Agency. He has been involved in the organisation since its inception, and is the longest serving board member. The board acts as a tourism facilitator for the province and oversees 22 local reserves including the environmentally significant Baviaanskloof Mega Reserve, the Great Fish River Nature Reserve and Mkambati Nature Reserve.
Herald Citizen of the Year awards
Judge and award winner, 2007 - 2011
Andrew Muir has been a judge of the Herald Citizen of the Year awards for the past four years. He is specifically involved in evaluating the tourism and environmental categories of the event. The Herald GM Citizen of the Year identifies and honours the activities of exceptional individuals whose service or performance positively contributes to the quality of life in Nelson Mandela Bay.
Chairman in South Africa
Andrew Muir is the chairman of the Oliver Foundation in South Africa. The Oliver Foundation is committed to creating a meaningful and sustainable impact in under-resourced communities, primarily in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa, focusing on empowering disadvantaged and vulnerable people to create personal self-sustainability.
Nelson Mandela Metropoliton Buisness School
advisory board member, 2010 - present
Gaia
Associate, 2000 - present
community
Founder, 2011 - present
The Umzi Wethu / Donkin coffee shop opened its doors on Heritage Day 2011, and is the latest venture by the highly successful Umzi Wethu skills training programme run by the Wilderness Foundation. After five years of successful hospitality training, the Wilderness Foundation is actively looking for opportunities to help build entrepreneurial skills in its graduates.
Founder, 2009 - present
In July 2009, the Umzi Wethu hospitality academy extended its operations with the opening of its Catering Unit. Based in Port Elizabeth, in the Eastern Cape of South Africa, the self-sustaining Catering Unit employs between three and five Umzi Wethu hospitality graduates on its staff and caters for various private and corporate events in the city.
Partner, 2011 - present
The highly successful Umzi Wethu social investment project has been replicated in Stellenbosch under the leadership of the Sustainability Institute at the Lynedoch Eco Village.
The goal of the Wilderness Foundation has always been to replicate the Umzi Wethu project throughout the country.
Founder, 2011 - present
The Umzi Wethu Livelihoods Programme aims to equip job seekers with the skills required to find work and to become valuable employees.
In order to broaden the impact of the Wilderness Foundation’s social intervention programme and to specifically address poverty and youth employment, the Wilderness Foundation has developed a new intervention which builds on the strength of the Umzi Wethu brand. The programme will benefit up to 300 job seekers per year.
Partner, 2007 - present
Facilitated by the Wilderness Foundation, the Wild Leaders leadership development project is directed at business, decision-makers and leaders in the corporate and government environments.
The project’s main objective is to develop ecological leadership amongst decision makers through one-day environmental leadership training seminars
Partner, 2000 - present
The various Pride Projects scattered throughout wilderness areas in South Africa introduce over 3000 previously disadvantaged, 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.
Partner, 2000 - present
Imbewu aims to introduce disadvantaged senior scholars to their natural and cultural heritage through a four day wilderness excursion in selected South African national parks including: the Kruger National Park, the Tsitsikamma National Park, the Addo Elephant National Park, the Namaqua National Park and the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park.
Partner, 2000 - present
The Khula Nam project, initiated in 1996, is a partnership between the Wilderness Foundation and MTO Forestry. Khula Nam (meaning "grow with me" in isiXhosa) offers primary school pupils - in grade six and seven - a basic introduction to the natural environment and its processes. It also explains the important role of indigenous and commercial forestry in South Africa. The majority of the Khula Nam courses take place along the Garden Route section of the south eastern coastline of South Africa.
Founder, 2011 - present
The Wilderness Foundation launched the Forever Wild – Rhino Protection Initiative in May, 2011. The Campaign aims to gather support from the public and various stakeholders to help fight against rhino poaching in South Africa and save the rhino from extinction. “It is only through a GLOBAL campaign and POLITICAL will that we can save this remnant of the dinosaur age – the rhino,” environmentalist and conservationist, Dr Ian Player.
CEO
Umzi Wethu is a one year, social development and intervention programme for DISPLACED AND SOCIALLY vulnerable youth (those who have lost one or both parents, are child headed households AND/OR live in households with no formal income).
Young men and women between the ages of 18 and 25 are trained in various skills so as to obtain skilled vocational jobs in the eco-tourism and hospitality sectors. Approximately 40 vulnerable youth are selected annually to join the programme.
founding member and trustee, 1996 - present
Andrew Muir is on the board for Usiko, a Cape Town based organisation focussing on Rights of Passage for youth at risk. It was founded in 1996 by Andrew Muir and Dr Don Pinnock. The organisation aims to influence the youth by taking them through rites of passage programmes, giving them both the confidence and skills to become leaders in their communities.
