According to Du Plessis, in the village of Paulshoek in Namaqualand, in the Northern Cape, Hoffman has contributed positively to the community by creating a long-term contract job, other occasional employment and training for community members, as well as funding for development projects.
Hoffman has served as a trustee of the Leslie Hill Succulent Karoo Trust (LHSKT) since 2001.
The trust supports WWF in the expansion of conservation land both through land acquisition and biodiversity stewardship agreements where landowners and communities continue to be the stewards of the land.
Hoffman has helped guide the trust, enabling WWF to secure nearly 290,000 hectares of land for formal conservation areas in the Succulent Karoo. This land includes the Namaqua National Park, the Tankwa Karoo National Park, the Knersvlakte Nature Reserve and several strategic stewardship initiatives.
Last year the award was won by Sissie Matela and Nicky McLeod, from Matatiele, who are behind a non-profit social enterprise organisation Environmental and Rural Solutions.
Accepting the award, Hoffman said: “I feel honoured to have my contribution to conservation and sustainable development recognised in this way and I am humbled by the company I share among the previous recipients of this award.
“Something of this nature doesn’t only reflect the work of one person. I am very grateful to everyone involved.”
TimesLIVE
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Article source: https://www.timeslive.co.za/news/south-africa/2020-09-01-humble-and-compassionate-prof-wins-wwf-living-planet-award/