History
Founded in 1976 by Dr. Sue Hart, the first woman veterinarian in Africa, EcoLink has been at the forefront of environmental education and community development for decades. Dr. Sue arrived in South Africa after working as “Daktari” alongside renowned conservationists like George Adamson, bringing her passion for wildlife and environmental care to rural communities. Her vision for EcoLink was rooted in improving water and food security, reducing poverty, and addressing social and ecological challenges.
Between 1985 and 2018, EcoLink focused on a range of projects designed to empower communities while protecting natural ecosystems. These efforts contributed to soil, water, and biodiversity conservation, all with the aim of preserving both the social and environmental fabric of rural South Africa. The organisation’s core activities included integrated water harvesting and agro-crops for food and water security, complemented by a holistic training approach that covered bereavement counselling, life skills, and health, hygiene, and nutrition education.
EcoLink started small, with Dr. Sue using her private property, Mhlanlanyoni—meaning “the place where the bird rests”—as a base to launch the initiative. Over time, it evolved into a unique Environmental Education and Development Training Centre, dedicated to preparing future generations for environmental stewardship. Today, as we relaunch EcoLink, we proudly honour the legacy of Dr. Sue Hart, a trailblazer for conservation and environmental education.
Dr. Sue, fondly known as the original “Daktari,” inspired a generation with her work. She was a generous and visionary woman, leaving behind a tremendous impact. EcoLink continues to carry her legacy forward, with a mission to restore hope and dignity to impoverished communities while fostering a deep respect for nature.
Our Work and Focus Areas
EcoLink’s past initiatives have focused on enhancing community capacity in nutritious food production through workshops and training, assisting small-scale farmers in accessing markets, and implementing sustainability strategies that foster income generation. While these efforts remain crucial, our primary focus continues to be environmental education and training, particularly for youth and women, ensuring the future generation understands and protects the ecosystems that sustain them.
Mission
EcoLink’s mission is to respond to the needs of individuals, households, and communities with integrity and efficiency. We strive to foster respect, pride, dignity, and responsibility for both the natural and social environments. Through collaboration with citizens, scientists, government, community groups, and activists, we promote environmental science, education, and training. Our goal is to inspire a transformative society that is better equipped to protect both the planet and its people for generations to come.
Vision
EcoLink envisions a future where harmony between social and natural environments thrives. We aim to democratize education, empowering individuals and communities to protect the planet and its ecosystems. By advancing prosperity, hope, water and biodiversity conservation, and ecosystem restoration, we seek to ensure a sustainable, vibrant future for all.
