top of page
Image by TJ Fitzsimmons
Overview

PROJECTS & SUCCESS STORIES


In his magnificent poem, “The Wild Doves at Louis Trichardt”, poet William Plomer writes: “‘Men being absent, Africa is good’. Plomer suggests that Africa is good when man is not present. Looking at the physical condition of nature and the geopolitical state of the continent of Africa at present, Plomer’s words might be considered somewhat prophetic. That is until you meet a man such as Raymond Clive Kramer.
 

Raymond is one of those rare men whose pulse beats to the rhythms of Africa.

 

Born into a farming community in the Sedibeng district in the Mpumalanga province of South Africa, Raymond grew up with an appreciation for wide vistas of natural habitat and agriculture.
 

In adulthood, this appreciation translated into a passion for exploring the African continent, and for becoming a champion of nature conservation. The intrepid Raymond has visited and traversed many, many countries in his beloved Africa, some of them racked by years of civil strife and still war-torn. His naturally friendly and respectful demeanor earned him friends all over the  continent - many of these friends being of high stature in their countries.


And now, as a successful entrepreneur and businessman, Raymond is intent on creating a sustainable future for the people of sub-Saharan Africa. His endeavors are directed towards reconnecting the people of Africa to the natural resources and richness of their countries – albeit one careful step at a time.

​

Our projects and success stories cover a diverse spectrum of initiatives, the roll-outs of which we determine by need and the availability of funds. We believe that maximum impact is achieved when due focus and attention are placed on one particular project at a time to ensure each project's success.


Recently, Guardian Angel Wildlife and Marine Trust hosted the little ones from the Sinekamva pre-school in Wallecedene, an impoverished community located in Kraaifontein in the Western Cape, on their annual visit to the impressive Two Oceans Aquarium at the V & A Waterfront in Cape Town.

This event was sponsored by Poseidon Logistics. 

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

​

Aquarium Visits

​

Sea of Smiles as Young Learners Encounter Marine Wonders

 

The Guardian Angel and Marine Trust, spearheaded by a dedicated team of conservationists, inspires positivity and potential for South Africa's youth.
To date, the recently launched GAWM Trust has hosted two outings to the Two Oceans Aquarium in Cape Town, for pre-schoolers from an impoverished area in the Western Cape.

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

​

Image by Hu Chen
Screenshot 2025-01-03 09.52_edited.png
My Acre of Africa

My Acre of Africa

TM Logo_edited.png
Screenshot 2025-01-03 10.11_edited.jpg

Background

With venerated former President of South Africa – Nelson Mandela – as Patron Emeritus, My Acre of Africa is an inspiring and unique nature conservation and environmental education funding initiative. The My Acre of Africa Trust is being revitalized and relaunched with the aim of providing top quality environmental education facilities and intensive learning programs to educate future generations of school learners.

 

My Acre of Africa is inspired and propelled  by the premise that we need to initiate immediate interventions to educate our children to care for and to value our bountiful natural world, to involve each one of them in the preservation of our magnificent, but endangered natural legacy.

By financing and funding My Acre of Africa, you are empowering one of the world’s potentially foremost conservation initiatives, to engender future generations who will prioritize the sustainability of our richly biodiverse and precious natural heritage.

 

My Acre of Africa is now wholly owned by, and is an imperative future project of, the Guardian Angel Wildlife and Marine Trust NPO. For further information about My Acre of Africa click the link below. 
 

Overview

With former South African President, Nelson Mandela, as Patron Emeritus, My Acre of Africa is a worldwide fundraising initiative for southern African wildlife and nature conservation through environmental education. My Acre of Africa aims to protect, preserve and conserve the region’s wildlife and wild lands for future generations.

 

Nelson Mandela called upon globally concerned citizens to join him in support of the project, which still stands as a living legacy. Developed in association with the South African National Parks Board, My Acre of Africa aims to raise a significant self-perpetuating Endowment Fund of ZAR3.5 billion that, through interest earned on the capital base, will provide ongoing finance for vital southern African biodiversity conservation projects.

Image by Miguel Alcântara
GAWMT Team in Action

Repairing the World through Conservation

​

The Guardian Angel and Marine Trust, spearheaded by a dedicated team of ardent conservationists, facilitated yet another two successful nature conservation initiatives to inspire South African youth. 
 

In a two-part intervention, the Guardian Angel Marine and Wildlife Trust collaborated closely with Transfrontier Africa, the founding programme of the Black Mamba Anti-Poaching Unit, and its sister programme, The Bush Babies Environmental Education programme. The aims of the two events were to motivate and inspire the young students of Alexandra Township to care for and respect their natural environment, and to consider possible career and employment opportunities in nature conservation. 
 

Phase 1: 
On Friday, October 18th, 2024, the Guardian Angel Wildlife and Marine Trust (GAWMT) launched the first phase of its Youth Conservation Education Project rollout in Alexandra Township, engaging 100 Grade 8 students from five local secondary schools – with the objective of inspiring a new generation of Nature Conservation leaders. Interactive experience in Alexandra Township  During this engaging initiative, each participating learner received a GAWM Trust branded T-shirt and cap, a water bottle and a snack, before embarking on a hands-on, community clean-up  adventure along the waste-ridden, polluted section of the Jukskei River running through this area of Alex. 

 

Armed with garbage bags and gloves, the enthusiastic learners collected trash and learned about the importance of preserving their local environment and wildlife:
*How improving our environment can improve our wellbeing.
ï‚· *How water pollution can contaminate aquatic ecosystems, causing the contamination of food, and negatively impacting health and hygiene.
* Empowering Future Leaders

 

The event included presentations from experts in nature conservation, who shared insights on how education, discipline, respect, and love of country can elevate quality of life. This fun- in-the-sun nature conservation intervention, filled with singing and dancing, simultaneously educated and motivated the learners to consider the many potential career paths available in Nature Conservation and Wildlife Protection. It successfully ignited a passion for conservation among Alexandra and young learners.  By combining education and community action, the GAWM Trust showed its dedication to nurturing the next generation of environmental stewards.  The day ended with a tired but inspired group of learners and educators singing the National Anthem with vigour and pride.


Phase 2: 
At the follow-up event on the 1st of November 2024, 250 learners were inspired by top South African conservationists. The excited children were addressed by Col (Hon) Raymond Kramer, Founder of the Guardian Angel and Marine Trust. The CEO of Poseidon Logistics kindly sponsored T-shirts, caps and refreshments, all emblazoned with the GAWM Trust’s insignia. Inspiring Future Career Paths: Empowering Future Leaders The Guardian Angel Wildlife and Marine Trust (GAWMT) Youth Education Project rolled out this second phase of its incredible initiative at the Eastbank Hall in Alex, which accommodates 400 people.

 

The event included 250 Grade 8 students from the five secondary schools in Alexandra, who participated in a motivating and educational morning.
 

Guests of Honour included:
The Black Mambas: A highly respected all-female game ranger and anti-poaching team, who drove up from their Wildlife Reserve, in full ranger attire, to educate the learners on conservation values and endeavours. The children were educated about rhino poaching and learned about measures to positively shape their lives through becoming empowered to become the next generation of conservation leaders. The Black Mamba’s perceptive supervisor, Leitnh Mikhabela, said her team did not carry weapons at this event, as the children to whom they bring awareness, are from the same communities from which the poachers come: “If we were to enter the community and school with firearms, they might be scared of me, instead of listening to my message.”

 

Col (Hon) Raymond Kramer: The GAWM Trust’s Founder and Trustee, explained how the Trust aims to inspire and educate young people to take ownership of their environment and to consider careers in nature conservation. He shared the impetus for the initiative, which stemmed from a personal encounter while bringing a tourist into Alexandra. His bond with the township deepened when he connected with a local taxi driver, and the non-profit Alex coordinator, Mr Mandla Khumalo, who helped facilitate the events.
 

Mr Mashudu Ramano (MSc). This highly specialized conservation expert on Sustainability and Responsibility, who studied at Schumacher College, Cambridge University and Ashridge-Hult Business School, discussed what a vital role trees have in the water cycle of an area and how a lack of trees can cause rivers to flood from excess rainfall. Parts of Alex are rather barren of trees and foliage, and this insufficiency of trees, (which act as sponges) means that water cannot go underground. This causes river banks to overflow, damage to homes and poses a risk to health and hygiene. He discussed ways to prevent soil erosion through tree and plant vegetative cover, which would help to anchor the soil and reduce the impact of floods.
 

Scouts South Africa: Dr Angus Hay gave an informative outline of the biggest youth organisation in the country, driven by the philosophy that children should embrace their adventurous spirits and make a positive impact on their communities and environments, emphasized how positive peer pressure and outdoor activities all contributed to individuals believing that they can change the world in order to leave it a better place than they found it.
 

Hearts Haven: Equestrian expert Mandy Laskey, and Fanie Brandt, who rescues exotic animals from owners who want to discard them, introduced the group from Alex to horses and to various rescued/ in-rehabilitation animals. This helped the children to gain an awareness of animal care and conservation in the hope of sparking in them a passion for wildlife conservation and stewardship. Some kids hesitantly held snakes, or excitedly rode horses, all while wearing T-shirts and caps with the Trust’s logo.
 

Mr Pedro Comacho (Head of Fusion Centre Technology), and Ari Stiller (Tactical Drone Operations): These two experts presented an awesome display of Drones and Technology - and how this incredible technology is being utilized to combat wildlife poaching and to keep an ‘eye in the sky’ in protected conservation areas.

 

Both of these most successful and  incentivizing initiatives demonstrated the GAWM Trust's commitment to nature conservation and youth education and training.
 

The Future is Now:
In an exciting new proposal between The South African National Service Institute (SANSI) and the Guardian Angel Wildlife and Marine Trust, a collaborative effort is being formulated to mobilize national industry partners to secure essential funding for the development of an extensive programme to tackle the high rates of youth unemployment in South Africa. As the GAWM Trust is well-positioned to engage with potential investors and stakeholders to obtain financial support for the initiative with SANSI, it would be instrumental in assisting and coordinating potential funders to recruit employment partners.

 

With your continued support and commitment, the Guardian Angel Wildlife and Marine Trust can achieve even more to protect, restore and replenish South Africa's natural bounty.

​

Image by Miguel Alcântara
GAWMT Team in Action

GAWMT Team in Action

bottom of page