Prosperity Programme

In order to conserve fynbos and benefit the people of the region, one of the Table Mountain Fund’s desired outcomes is to ensure that fynbos is a source of both social and economic benefit. Through the Table Mountain Fund’s Prosperity Programme, the Fund aims to unlock the potential of fynbos-based economies in order to provide these benefits to our local communities. This requires  empowering communities of the Cape Floral Kingdom in terms of having the knowledge, skills and the agency to take up economic and social opportunities that arise from fynbos. In addition to growing these industries, the programme also aims to encourage more youth to choose careers in fynbos conservation, and to grow the local eco-tourism industry and see more visitors come specifically to immerse themselves in fynbos.

As all of these efforts must, of course, be within the thresholds of what is possible without damaging the rich biodiversity of the Cape Floral Kingdom, research projects that help us to understand the thresholds, in terms of resource utilisation, are also a key part of this programme.

This programme aims to ensure that:

• People, communities and organisations living and operating within the Cape Floral Kingdom are empowered and derive social and socio-economic benefits from fynbos
• More fynbos-based industries (such as eco-tourism, cut flower, fynbos gin, honeybush tea, etc) are established and grown
• Youth have meaningful careers in fynbos conservation
• Innovative financing mechanisms to support fynbos conservation are established.

Prosperity Projects:

!Khwa ttu – Food from our Ancestors

Project executant: !Khwa ttu San Culture & Education Centre NPC 

1 December 2021 – 31 January 2025

!Khwa ttu is a San Heritage Centre located on an 850ha farm in the buffer zone of the West Coast National Park. This project will highlight the link between naturally-occurring fynbos plants in our landscape and ancient hunter-gatherer foods on their menus by creating new, unique, and highly marketable tourism experiences on the West Coast.  The project will provide new opportunities for visitors to learn from the San knowledge on indigenous plants. Through story-telling, and a San-led fynbos foraging experience, visitors will enjoy a meal prepared from ingredients grown, gathered or hunted on the farm or sustainably sourced from local producers. The project will encourage conservation of our biodiversity in order to ensure sustained foraging and the long-term provision of beautiful open, safe spaces for local communities to enjoy.

Biodiversity Contractor Development Programme

Project executant: Contour Enviro Group

1 February 2022 – 28 February 2025

The project aims to build capacity in four small, medium and micro enterprises (totalling 48 individuals) engaged in alien clearing in the Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve (KBR) and surrounding area. The project entails both accredited and non-accredited training in a broader range of ecosystem restoration as well as general business management acumen. Intensive mentorship will be provided to contract leaders who will have access to micro-finance at low interest rates to assist the SMMEs with growth. The aim is for Contour Training Academy to be able to secure enough work to be able to sub-contract in the SMMEs while providing a level of oversight and ensuring a standard of excellence for Natural Resource Management in the KBR area.

Experiencing Fynbos on the Edge: A unique immersive experience

Project executant: Endangered Wildlife Trust

1 February 2022 – 31 March 2025

Papkuilsfontein Guest farm is situated near Nieuwoudtville in the Northern Cape and hosts especially rich biodiversity.  Our project will aim to showcase the northern reaches of the fynbos kingdom through the development of a unique nature-based tourism product.  The Via Ferrata Iron way will allow visitors to experience the fantastic scenery and rich biodiversity firsthand by exploring the rock faces near the edge of the Oorlogskloof gorge. Proceeds of the Via Ferrata will be used to manage the farm as a declared Protected Environment and this adventure & educational experience will provide visitors with unique insights into the value and beauty of the fynbos kingdom.  

U Can Grow Fynbos Initiative in the Southern Cape 

Project executant: U Can Grow Africa (PTY) LTD 

1 February 2022 – 31 March 2025 

Through the sustainable utilization of indigenous plants in the Cape Floristic Region, this project will provide a suite of business opportunities to local communities based between Harkerville and Covie in the Southern Cape. Out-growers (agripreneurs) and emergent small farmers will produce food and fynbos products (naturally harvested and cultivated) to be included in a specially managed, supported and mentored agricultural value chain. Opportunities for investment into agripreneural endeavours will be made available through offtake agreements and contract growing.