Conserve
Protect
Cherish
Welcome to the
Fisher Foundation
Investing in conservation awareness during the formative years of our children’s lives will translate into a more sustainable future for generations. We have to be future-focused. This mindset works in business and the same approach will create a world that we can proudly bequeath to our children.
It is my heartfelt wish that through constructive partnerships and initiatives we can make a meaningful difference.
Richard Fisher
Englightened!
The Fisher Foundation is proud to collaborate with Chedza to offer an effective and practical solution in providing clean-energy lighting for children in rural communities adjacent to Southern Africa’s protected wildlife areas. This will enable these children to read and do their homework in the evenings when there are power outages, and in some cases, no electricity at all.
This is a perfect fit for the Fisher Foundation’s focus on education in conservation among fence line communities.
The backpack has a durable solar panel sewn into the back which is charged by the natural sunlight while the children walk many kilometres to and from school. This solar energy is stored and linked to an L.E.D. light which provides a good source of illumination in their households. It has a USB port to charge/power-boost tablets, giving these children the opportunity to learn from digital tools and data found online.
This innovation now reduces the use of kerosene, candles and fossil fuels for lighting at night, thus having a great and positive impact on the environment.
Conservation Cup
The Golf Mag Article
It was while working deep in rural KwaZulu-Natal on a local wildlife sustainability project in a local village that renowned golf course photographer Grant Leversha suddenly thought of golf. It was a strange thought to have in a village where boreholes are more important than birdies. And yet, it was the perfect thought in terms of wildlife sustainability.
The Inaugural
Conservation Cup
Kallis and team celebrate
Conservation Cup success
- Jacques Kallis and Hanyani Shimange captains of conservation
- Sport and business unite to raise funds for SA wildlife
Cricket legend Jacques Kallis has led South Africa to victory on many occasions, but this week he achieved a first when he led a stellar team of sports stars and business leaders to victory in the inaugural Conservation Cup golf tournament as part of the drive to protect this country’s wildlife heritage.
Conservation Education Camp
The Pongola Game Reserve Conservation Camp (24-26 May) was a resounding success. Grade 7 learners from the Mthekwini Community, which borders the Hluhluwe Imfolozi Park in northern KZN, South Africa, enjoyed an immersive conservation education camp, hosted by the Fisher Foundation in collaboration with African Insight Academy.
The Fisher Foundation made good on fulfilling its vision of building a sustainable future where humans, creatures, and the environment are respected, valued, and nurtured. This camp provided a life-changing opportunity for these fenceline community children to learn from local experts, conservationists, and mentors, offering an educational experience beyond the traditional classroom setting. By engaging with the diverse natural world, they will begin to understand the critical role they play in shaping a sustainable future.
Camp Activities and Highlights
Rhino Conservation Experience:
The highlight of the camp was witnessing the darting and dehorning of a white rhino. This rare and unique opportunity allowed students from a fenceline community to observe cutting-edge conservation interventions aimed at saving this iconic threatened species. The experience was both sobering and inspiring, providing insight into the challenges and efforts involved in wildlife conservation.
Cwakema Community Food Distribution
Mdletshe Tribal land, Hluhluwe, Northern KZN, South Africa - December 2023
The Fisher Foundation distributed 5 tons of food to the Cwakema Community in northern KZN, South Africa ahead of the festive season. This translates into approx. 12 000 meals over the coming weeks and continues the foundation’s fervent commitment to their community upliftment initiatives.
SA Harvest kindly donated an assortment of fresh vegetables and staples. On hand to assist in the distribution were two professional rugby stars who are from KZN’s rural communities. Phepsi Buthelezi is a home-grown talent having been raised in Hluhluwe, while Ntuthuko Mchunu is also from a rural community in KZN. City Logistics, one of South Africa’s largest logistics service providers generously assisted with the collection and distribution of the food from Durban to Hluhluwe.
Conservation Educational
Pongola Game Reserve & Lake Jozini, South Africa - August 2023
The Fisher Foundation hosted a conservation education camp that will forever remain in the memories of the children of the Mthekwini community in northern KwaZulu-Natal. In collaboration with African Insight Academy, the Grade 7 learners experienced a three-day camp at the Pongola Game Reserve adjacent to Lake Jozini.
This experiential learning opportunity falls in line with the foundation’s overall goals and objectives that have been mapped out to raise conservation awareness amongst the youth living alongside our protected wildlife areas. Conservation of natural resources and landscapes is no longer a luxury: our children’s future depends on it.
Nelson Mchunu Pangolin Experience
Sculptor, May 2023
Nelson Mchunu is a sculptor who lives in Sweetwaters in the KZN midlands, South Africa. He was mentored by the renowned wildlife artist and sculptor, Allen Hallett, and now showcases his works at the Platform Gallery in nearby Lions River. Nelson, who creates bronze sculptures of pangolins among other wildlife species, has only ever used photographs as a reference.
Borehole Initiative & Football Coaching Clinic
Mthekwini Community – Hluhluwe, KZN, April 2023
Former Bafana Bafana legend Mark Fish as well as leading footballers from the DStv Premiership team AmaZulu Football Club joined the Mthekwini community in northern KwaZulu-Natal as they celebrated the memorable opening of a new borehole at a local school that will provide drinking water for 400 children and their families.
Conservation through Education
Youth Conservation Educational Camp: Hluhluwe, KZN. 27-28 November 2022.
One of the primary goals of the Fisher Foundation is to educate the children who live in communities surrounding our national parks on conservation. This will, over time, create an awareness and appreciation of Africa’s gifted natural resources and ultimately shift mindsets to create a sustainable future for our endangered wildlife. Fostering this awareness and passion for conservation at a time when world views are being formed will afford many the opportunity to pursue careers in this field.
The Fisher Foundation, established by Richard Fisher in 2022, is a non-profit organization that intends to create awareness in conservation and community upliftment through various initiatives.
Early childhood development is a crucial area in which the foundation would like to make a meaningful difference. Collaborating with NGOs who have solid structures and programmes in place to develop cognitive, emotional and physical abilities will be our preferred partners.
Early childhood development is a crucial area in which the foundation would like to make a meaningful difference. Collaborating with NGOs who have solid structures and programmes in place to develop cognitive, emotional and physical abilities will be our preferred partners.
The Fisher Foundation, established by Richard Fisher in 2022, is a non-profit organization that intends to create awareness in conservation and community upliftment through various initiatives.