The Kwendalo Holistic Wellness Farm in Plettenberg Bay has been nominated for the Skål International 2025 Sustainable Tourism Award, recognising its efforts in creating a tranquil, nature-focused space where people and wildlife can thrive together.
The winners will be announced later in September during the opening ceremony of the 8th International World Congress in Cusco, Peru.
Kwendalo has been nominated in the social and educational programmes category for its groundbreaking Harmony Project, which includes collaboration with Bahia Formosa School — the first international Harmony Accredited School in the world.
“Kwendalo’s mission is to pioneer an innovative model for holistic wellness, nature-based education and sustainability,” Dr Matthew Zylstra said.
He is programme co-ordinator for the Kwendalo Institute, the organisation’s education, research and training arm.
“Under the guiding theme of ‘Nature, Nurture, Nourish’, all activities are connected to six key dimensions of wellness.”
The initiative, personally funded by Dr John Cavill, serves as a working prototype for the institute and its programmes, which include Nature Referrals (NRx), nature-based graduate programmes and other sustainability-focused learning activities.
The Kwendalo Foundation attracts support from corporate social responsibility initiatives, philanthropists and other partners dedicated to youth education and holistic wellbeing.
According to Zylstra, each element of Kwendalo’s model is interconnected, reinforcing the broader wellness mission.
“For the Skål Education and Social Activities Award, the focus is on the outcomes of the Harmony Project at Bahia Formosa School and related sustainability initiatives,” he said.
Partnerships with Stellenbosch University and Wageningen University in the Netherlands support the development of graduate-level programmes, while NRx introduces a nature-based social prescribing model to SA.
The visionary farm’s name derives from the isiXhosa word for “of nature”.
The farm emphasises sustainability, biodiversity conservation and human wellbeing.
Kwendalo also played a key role as a venue for the inaugural Plett Bitou Birding Festival in October 2024, a 10-day event featuring birding activities, expert-guided walks, wellness sessions and an art exhibition.
The festival returns from October 24 to October 31, running daily from 7am to 2pm across various venues in Plettenburg Bay.
Ticket details are yet to be confirmed.
The Herald
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