Durban Miss Earth SA finalist assists KZN wildlife relief efforts

LOCAL eco-activist, Victoria Soutar, was recently chosen as an Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife Ambassador, to assist in its Covid-19 relief programme.

Victoria, an environmental and corporate social responsibility consultant by profession and the current Miss Earth South Africa, Miss Fire, was excited to be asked by Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife to be one of its ambassadors, for this is a cause close to her heart.

Ezemvelo is the provincial agency mandated to carry out biodiversity conservation and associated activities in KZN. 

The primary focus of the organisation is biodiversity conservation through the management of protected areas, and the development and promotion of ecotourism facilities within these protected areas. They manage one of the largest eco-tourism operation in South Africa, so to keep their operations running is of paramount importance.

“Like myself, community development has always been high on Ezemvelo’s agenda. They believe conservation must create tangible benefits for people, especially for those who reside adjacent to their protected areas. Income generation for the majority of communities adjacent to these areas depends either directly on the seasonal work and or indirectly on the nature-based tourism industry,” said Victoria.

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Unfortunately, due to the global Covid-19 pandemic and the subsequent national lockdown regulations, Ezemvelo’s facilities had become no-go areas for tourists and communities living around game reserves and wildlife areas. This closure of the nature-based tourism operations resulted in surrounding communities bearing the brunt of a closed national economy.

She said while Ezemvelo also suffered as a result of the Covid-19 lockdown, they could not turn a blind eye to the dire need of their neighbouring communities.

Apart from the humanitarian aspect of trying to assist these communities, starving people on the protected area boundaries may represent a risk to protected areas, as it may pose an increase in incursions into state protected areas and an increase in poaching or unlawful harvesting.

“This risk needs to be averted proactively. My background and experience in community development has taught me to look at the world through the eyes of the people I am speaking to, and that has allowed me to reach out to communities and people in need and really make a difference,” she said.

Victoria said she lives her career path through a certain vision – it is to reveal beauty in glowing eyes after assisting communities, and to play an irreplaceable and impactful role in a great adventure, to help others live a more sustainable, free life.

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“It is what makes us come alive. Knowing that the Ezemvelo Ambassador journey fitted so easily into the context of my vision, made me even more excited to pursue the project and work closely to help them achieve their vision in all I commit to,” she said.

Victoria used her social platforms to express her personal and professional passion, to link up with like-minded individuals eager to make a change in their communities.

“It has helped me channel my every day consulting and science into something my friends and family and the public can jump on board with. I want to use my page to encourage young females to aspire to be more than just a pretty face, but an active ‘change agent’ in their communities. We have a chance, now, to influence individuals and businesses to make a sustainable difference in local communities,” said Victoria.

Follow Victoria on Twitter – @vicsouts and @vicsouts on Instagram.

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