There is an infectious feeling of optimism and camaraderie in the air when a group of like-minded individuals get together to celebrate the incredible work done by local individuals, organisations and communities to build a greener and more eco-logical world.
This is exactly what the 2023 Eco Logic Awards, which took place on the evening of Thursday 9 November at the Two Oceans Aquarium, were all about.
High-profile guests, eco-conscious CEOs and celebrities, and eco-champions from around South Africa showed up to pay tribute to each bronze, silver, and gold winner across 13 impactful categories. An additional shout-out was given to those who wowed the audience and took some great prizes for their “Glamorously Green”-themed outfits home.
Local estate Vergelegen was honoured with yet another achievement, winning silver in the Water Conservation category, while Somerset West-based Backyard Farms, a social enterprise that aims to create a sustainable business model for the upliftment of women in townships, took gold in the Eco-Friendly Community category.
Celebrated in a fun and light-hearted way with well-loved comedian Nik Rabinowitz and Zandile Ndhlovu, aka The Black Mermaid, as hosts, the awards ceremony provided a serious and an important national platform to showcase and promote individuals, organisations, products and services that are doing good for “people and planet”.
“Each year it becomes increasingly important and effective for us as individuals to play our part in solving today’s environmental challenges,” said David Parry-Davies, editor of The Enviropaedia and founder of the Eco-Logic Awards, “which we can do by leveraging our consumer spending power and supporting those committed to building a sustainable society and environment.”
Here are the 2023 Eco-Logic winners in order of gold, silver and bronze:
Nature Conservation Award, sponsored by Ford WildLife
- Tale of Two Leopards: Cape Leopard Trust & Endangered Wildlife Trust
- The Centre for Rehabilitation of Wildlife (Crow)
- Grootbos Green Futures Foundation
Climate Change, sponsored by The Daily Maverick: Our Burning Planet
- Mary Scholes
- GreenCape’s SA Climate Change Champs project
- AfriSAM
Eco-Innovation, supported by NCPCSA
- Urban Surfer
- Wetland-in-a-Box: Vertical up-flow modular constructed wetland water-treatment system
- EWT: A high-tech solution that saves threatened birds from power line collisions
Circular Economy and waste innovation, sponsored by Interwaste
- ACEN (African Circular Economy Network)
- AECI Women in Waste Management Project
- Sun international Time Square
Water Conservation, sponsored by Rand Water
- The Water Hub
- Vergelegen Wine Estate
- JoJo
Eco-Fashion and Lifestyle, sponsored by Pick n Pay Clothing
- The Joinery
- LEVI
- The Legacy Collection
Eco-Health and Wellness
- Esse Skincare
- SOiL Organic Aromatherapy
- The Apothecary Skin & Personal Care range
Eco-Friendly Products, sponsored by ElectroLux SA
- Bokashi Bran
- ProNature Paints
- Ener-G-Africa, clean cooking stove implementation programmes
Eco-friendly community, sponsored by Danone
- Backyard Farms
- Kabega Primary
- Mosselbank River Conservation Team
Eco-Angel, sponsored by The Endangered Wildlife Trust
- Helen Turnbull, CEO Cape Leopard Trust
- Jane Trembath, Korsman Conservancy
- Jonathan Leeming
Eco-Warrior, sponsored by PolyCo SA
- All Rise Attorneys
- Ntsindiso Nongcavu, Coastal Links
- Makoma Lekalakala, Earthlife Africa
Concluding the awards ceremony, Parry-Davies said: “I would like to extend a massive thank you to our sponsors, for without their generous support our annual award show wouldn’t have been possible. A heartfelt thank you to the team that works tirelessly behind-the-scenes to bring such a spectacular evening together. And to each eco-champion who dedicates their time and energy to contribute to this beautiful planet, thank you! Until next year . . .”
