Post Date: 8 April 2022
The board of directors of WESSA announces that CEO, Dr. Andrew Baxter will change roles from Chief Executive Officer to a Non-Executive Director and member of the WESSA board effective 1 June 2022.
The board is pleased that following the resignation of Andrew Baxter from his current executive position as CEO of WESSA, effective 31 May 2022 he will remain involved with WESSA and provide strategic support at an important juncture in its history. WESSA has made sound strides under Andrew’s leadership and the board wishes to thank him for his significant contribution in a short period of time.
WESSA, a membership-based environmental and conservation NPO that traces its origins back 96 years, is credited as being among the oldest and most trusted conservation and environmental agencies in Southern Africa – responsible for significant conservation achievements including the establishment of the Kruger National Park. WESSA is well known today for its work in environmental education, youth development, environmental advocacy, and member-based conservation projects around the country.
Andrew leaves WESSA to take up a position with African Habitat Conservancy (AHC) and its subsidiary, Babanango Game Reserve, a ground-breaking re-wilding, and conservation project that directly benefits local communities in one of the most bio-diverse regions of rural Kwazulu-Natal. Although disappointed at the premature departure of Baxter from WESSA where he has been leading the organisation along its path towards a revised strategy, the board acknowledges that Baxter’s departure to AHC is a win for the sector and for conservation.
It was further announced that Deputy Chair of the board, Helena Atkinson, will act as interim CEO from 1 June 2022 and ably guide the organisation while it considers the appointment of Baxter’s permanent successor. The board has confidence that the transition will therefore be a smooth one.
kind regards,
Wandisile Mandlana
WESSA Board Chairman