Cath Vise and Dawn Booyens
Age: Cath: 43
Dawn: 36
Hometown: Cath: Louis Trichardt
Dawn: Waterpoort
Occupation: Cath: EWT Soutpansberg Protected Area Programme Manager
Dawn: Game Farm Manager & Ecologist
About me:
Cath: I grew up on a farm in the Soutpansberg, and after many years living and working abroad, I moved home seven years ago. I love the Soutpansberg, it is my home. It is also home to thousands of species including multiple threatened species such as the Cape Vulture. I now consider myself extremely lucky that I work in conservation, with a mission to protect the entire western Soutpansberg. I've been working for the Endangered Wildlife Trust for the past four years. I started as a Water Conservation Project Coordinator where I managed a team working on invasive alien tree removal from upper mountain catchment areas on the Soutpansberg, to both replenish water and to rehabilitate habitat for indigenous and threatened species. I also work with a number of conservation-minded landowners on the mountain, where we are in the final stages of proclaiming the Western Soutpansberg Nature Reserve, 22 000 ha in extent, through the Biodiversity Stewardship Programme. I recently took over management of the EWT's Soutpansberg Protected Area Programme and am now in the process of engaging additional landowners to increase the size of the protected area. Through this work I get to explore multiple properties on the mountain and am continually in awe of the high species diversity this mountain houses. We have a colony of Cape Vultures nesting on the cliffs, who regularly use the 'Vulture Pools' as a water source and a bath. I will never forget sitting with Dawn (my challenge team member) watching these majestic birds sunning themselves on the rocks after a bath. This is a vital habitat for these birds, and we need to ensure that it is protected for them for generations to come.
Dawn: I have heard the term "crazy" used a lot to describe me, which in many ways is true! I am passionate about the environment and everything about nature fascinates me.
Sporting bio:
Cath: I consider myself more of an adventurer than a sportswoman. I have a previous career as a Yachtmaster, where I spent over 10 years working is sailing. My sailing career took me to many places, from Carribbean Islands to the Arctic Circle in Norway. I spent many days at sea, with multiple ocean crossings, cruising and exploring coastlines, and even a fair amount of racing. As much as I loved my career in sailing, I felt compelled to come home and work to protect our environment. I also did a fundraiser in the United Kingdom, where after skippering a circumnavigation of Britain as part of the Ellen MacArthur Trust's Round Britain, my mate and I cycled the length of Britain from Lands End to John O'Groats, via the three highest peaks, and climbed each peak on route. I now get my adventure fixes through hiking on the Soutpansberg. I love exploring the mountain and finding new trails. We've also developed a new multi-day slackpacking hiking trail which traverses the western end of the mountain, the Old Salt Trail.
Dawn: I have just started trail running this year and find that I really enjoy it. I am by no means an athlete, but when I put my mind to a challenge, I give my all. I am very physically active in my job and when I can, I ride my horse.
Reason for taking challenge:
Cath: Raising funds for protected area management is a continual challenge, and we rely heavily on donor funding and fundraising events. The funds that we raise through this challenge will go towards the work we do in the Soutpansberg, and help ensure we create safe space for multiple threatened species such as Cape Vultures. Even though the Soutpansberg is a recognized Critical Biodiversity Area, a hotspot for species endemism, a Key Biodiversity Area, a Strategic Water Source Area and a focus area within the National Protected Area Expansion Strategy, very little of the mountain (less than 2%) is currently under any formal conservation. In addition to this, these critical habitats also face multiple threats including poaching (for bushmeat and for trade), the spread of invasive alien plants, bush encroachment, habitat transformation for agricultural expansion and even mining. The EWT's Soutpansberg Protected Area Programme is working to address these threats, both through formal protected area expansion, as well as through the work of our EWT Soutpansberg Rangers. This is a team of dedicated young men who work tirelessly to protect our biodiversity through anti-poaching patrols, bush encroachment work, invasive species control, as well as multiple other reserve management jobs.
Dawn: From the moment I set foot on the Soutpansberg (some 18 years ago), I fell in love and knew this is where I wanted to be…The Soutpansberg is full of ecological treasures and hidden gems. One such gem is a colony of Cape Vultures. I have taken up the Rhino Peak Challenge to raise funds to help protect these critically important birds. Vultures are not known for their splendor and beauty, but they are known for the critical ecosystem services that they provide as one of nature's most efficient clean-up crews. Globally, their numbers are declining at an alarming rate. But there is hope for the northern region Cape Vultures in South Africa where annual monitoring data shows an overall increase in population numbers at most of the breeding colonies. It is estimated that the northern region is a stronghold for between 50-70% of the breeding population! The protection of the Soutpansberg breeding colony, albeit small compared to Blouberg’s colony, is important. Over the past few years, myself, and Cath Vise have had the immense pleasure of watching these amazing creatures soar effortlessly across the Soutpansberg mountains. To observe them sunning at their favourite natural bathing pool overlooking the Limpopo River Valley, has been such a privilege. Running to raise funds for the conservation efforts to protect these birds gives us hope for the preservation of the Cape Vulture and to ensure many more encounters for people to enjoy the vultures effortless soaring above the mountains.