Who we are

We stand for South Africa’s birds, nature, and for the future we share together.

As South Africa’s only dedicated bird-conservation organisation, we work to protect our country’s birds, their habitats, and the wider biodiversity they support. We wish to see a country and wider region where nature and people live in greater harmony, more equitably and sustainably.

What We Do

Our efforts focus on four pillars

Protecting species: Preventing extinctions and improving the conservation status of threatened bird species.
Conserving sites and habitats: Safeguarding and restoring key sites and habitats important for birds and other wildlife.
Encouraging ecological sustainability: Biodiversity and people’s quality of life can only thrive together.
Enabling positive change through people: By involving communities, bird conservation can support livelihoods and bring lasting positive change.

Why We Do It

The future of South Africa’s birdlife is not secure. If we lose birds, we risk losing not only a species, but entire ecosystems

Birds are indicators of the health of the environment. What’s good for birds, is good for all other biodiversity.

South Africa is home to an extraordinary diversity of birds from African Penguins along our coasts to albatrosses and petrels in the Southern Ocean, European Rollers and vultures in the skies, Botha’s Lark, Blue Cranes and many other unique species in our grasslands, wetlands, forests, and deserts.

They face many serious threats, including habitat loss, deliberate persecution, environmental degradation, climate change, and other pressures. With staff across the country, we tackle these challenges through scientifically grounded projects, working with partners, landowners, communities, and government to create practical solutions that benefit both nature and people.

Our Supporters

We are a registered non-profit and public benefit organisation, and the official South African partner of the global BirdLife International network.

We are supported by valued members across the country and more than 40 bird clubs nationwide.

We produce a bi-monthly magazine, African Birdlife (https://africanbirdlife.org.za/), regular newsletters,

Whether you’re new to birdwatching or simply care about the natural world, your interest and support help ensure that future generations can continue to enjoy and benefit from South Africa’s rich birdlife

We wish to see a country and region where nature and people live in greater harmony, more equitably and sustainably.

We strive to conserve birds, their habitats and biodiversity through scientifically-based programmes, through supporting the sustainable and equitable use of natural resources and by encouraging people to enjoy and value nature.

Honorary Patrons

Mr Mark Shuttleworth

Mrs Gaynor Rupert

Dr Precious Moloi-Motsepe

Mr Neville Isdell

Mrs Pamela Isdell

We remember with gratitude a former Honorary Patron.

July 22, 1945 – March 18, 2025

History

Although we trace our history back to 1905, 1996 brought a significant change: we partnered with BirdLife International, renamed ourselves as BirdLife South Africa, and shifted focus from the study of ornithology to encompass active conservation and education.

Over the past two decades, BirdLife South Africa has grown into one of the continent’s leading conservation NGOs, thanks to our scientific credibility, dedicated team and strong financial resilience. We now employ close to 50 staff across offices in Johannesburg, Cape Town and Wakkerstroom.

Today, as South Africa’s only dedicated bird-conservation organisation and BirdLife International partner, we save threatened species, protect vital habitats such as wetlands and grasslands, promote sustainability that benefits both nature and people, and engage communities through birdwatching, education, and avitourism.

Timeline

Structure

BirdLife South Africa is one of South Africa’s largest non–governmental, non-profit conservation organisations.

Board of Directors

Yvonne Pennington

Chairperson, BirdLife South Africa

Yvonne has made a sterling contribution to BirdLife South Africa over many years. She has been involved with Sandton Bird Club for thirty years, including in leadership positions. Yvonne has served as a co-opted Board member of BirdLife South Africa from July 2015 to March 2019 and, from 2019, Yvonne was appointed to the Board as the representative of the Northern Regional Bird Club Forum. In May 2023 she was elected as the Chairperson of the Board. She is also Chairperson of the BirdLife South Africa Fundraising Committee. Yvonne has consulted extensively on strategy, leadership development and grantmaking. She is a wildlife enthusiast, keen and knowledgeable birder, and has travelled the world, including in her capacity as social investment specialist and business consultant.

Mbali Zondo

Mbali is a driven and dynamic marketing professional originally from Durban and now based in Johannesburg. She holds a BA (Hons) in Strategic Brand Communication from IIE-Vega School, as well as a BCom and BCom (Hons) in Marketing Management from the University of Pretoria. With extensive experience in marketing and strategic brand communication, she brings strong leadership, exceptional organisational abilities, and a sharp eye for impactful storytelling. Passionate about travel, Mbali is especially inspired by the diversity, creativity, and innovation found across the African continent. She believes in exploring Africa not just for its beauty, but for the rich cultural insights that shape her approach to brand building.

Nicolette (Nicky) Forbes

Nicky is a former chairperson of BirdLife eThekwini KZN. She is a trained ecologist, has a MSc degree, and is a knowledgeable birder. Her company is actively involved in estuary management, habitat restoration and environmental compliance. She has extensive IT experience. Nicky is a member of a number of national and international bodies. She has superb strategic vision and has excellent organisational skills. She almost single-handedly grown BirdLife eThekwini’s membership base, and it is now one of the largest and most active bird clubs in South Africa. Nicky has received several awards, including a WESSA Conservationist of the Year Award and a BirdLife South Africa Owl Award.

Matthew Biden

Matthew is an avid birder, and passionate conservationist. He has a Business Science degree and an honour’s degree in finance from the University of Cape Town. He also has an MSc in Environmental Sciences from Oxford University. He spent four years at one of London’s leading corporate advisory boutiques where he advised on mergers, acquisitions and restructuring and disposals for both listed companies and private equity owned assets. Matthew is currently the Chief Executive Officer of the Royal Portfolio (a collection of luxury hotels and private residences in South Africa) and a trustee of the Royal Portfolio Foundation. Additionally, he serves as an Alternate Director of the Thornybush Nature Reserve. Matthew has good business acumen and extensive financial experience in the UK and in South Africa

Galeboe Modisapodi

Galeboe was born in Parys. He is a law graduate from the then University of Natal, Durban, having obtained B. Proc. LLB. He also obtained a Management Development Programme and Strategic HR Certificate from the Gordon Institute of Business Science. He has been employed as an HR professional for the past 20 years. He is a keen conservationist with a love for birding, and wildlife and nature photography. He is passionate about building a sustainable future his children and the other people of South Africa.

Linda Hart

Linda holds an MBA in Business Administration and is currently exploring development opportunities within the leadership and behavioural economics fields. Aside from being a skilled developmental facilitator for entrepreneurs and a SETA accredited assessor, Linda is also an inspirational speaker, a personal development facilitator, business mentor, world traveller, nature lover and avid wild- and birdlife photographer. She is an insightful linguist and provocateur. Linda ran her first marathon on the Great Wall of China in 2012 and used this platform to draw attention to the plight of rhinos.

Jason McCormick

Educated at Michaelhouse and Stellenbosch University, Jason is a licensed pilot, avid naturalist and conservationist at heart. He joined McCormick Property Development in 2002 and was appointed as MD in 2011. Under his leadership, over half a million sqm in GLA have been added to the MPD portfolio. In June 2018, he was appointed CEO of Exemplar, the ownership arm of the development company. Exemplar is a listed real estate investment trust with a portfolio of 27 retail assets. In April 2020 Jason co-founded the One People Fund which delivered food for 7,5million meals to communities in need during lockdown.He is passionate about community upliftment and the potential that Exemplar and its assets have to fundamentally change the underprivileged and marginalized communities within which it operates; for good.

David Chamberlain

David is a born and bred Pretorianer. After five years at Hilton College, a year in the Air Force Gymnasium and four years at UCT (B. Comm., BA (Hons.) Econ.), he moved back to Pretoria and has worked in the family hardware business ever since. He has served on the boards of the St Mary’s Diocesan School for Girls and the Waterkloof House Preparatory School. David has published several bird books. He has undertaken many forays to the wild parts of Africa and other continents, to follow his birding passion. He has seen more than 2000 bird species in Africa. He is also a road runner, fly fisherman and opera singer.

Ismail Bhorat

Ismail is the Executive Director of Melomed Hospital Holdings. After completing his schooling at Diocesan College (Bishops) in 2001, Ismail pursued a Business Science degree at the University of Cape Town, majoring in Finance and Accounting. Ismail then joined the Melomed Group where he has been instrumental in growing the group over the past 12 years. Ismail also serves as a Director and Vice-Chairman of the National Hospital Network, which represents a group of 214 independent healthcare facilities in South Africa and he is on the FNB Islamic Banking advisory board. Ismail is an avid birder and conservationist.

Philip Calinikos

Treasurer, BirdLife South Africa

Philip is a Chartered Accountant by profession and advises on accounting and financial matters. He has previously served as Chairperson of the BirdLife South Africa Board, and as Treasurer and Chairman of the Audit Committee of BirdLife South Africa. He is a passionate birder and citizen scientist. He served as Chairman and Treasurer of his local bird club BirdLife Northern Gauteng for many years. He has also served as Treasurer on the Council of the Hellenic Community of Pretoria for a number of years.

Dr Hanneline Smit-Robinson

Head of Conservation

Dr Hanneline Smit-Robinson serves as the Head of Conservation at BirdLife South Africa, where she oversees the organisation’s diverse Conservation Division. Her leadership spans critical programmes focused on seabird, landbird, and habitat conservation, along with policy and advocacy work, regional collaboration with BirdLife partners across Africa, and initiatives in community conservation and avitourism. Hanneline holds a PhD in Molecular Zoology from Stellenbosch University and completed postdoctoral research at the University of California, Berkeley. In 2008, she was honoured as the African laureate of the prestigious L’Oréal UNESCO For Women in Science Award. In addition to her role at BirdLife South Africa, she currently chairs the IUCN South Africa National Committee, further contributing to conservation policy and action at a national level.

Mark D. Anderson

Chief Executive Officer

Mark has an MSc (cum laude) from the University of Pretoria. He was employed as a Specialist Nature Conservation Scientist with the Northern Cape Department of Environment and Nature Conservation for 18 years. Mark’s main responsibility as CEO is to grow BirdLife South Africa into a leading conservation organisation, and one in which all aspects of the organisation’s work is done scientifically and professionally.

Fanie du Plessis

Chief Financial Officer

Fanie oversees the activities of the Business Division, consisting of bookkeeping, administration, events, membership, publications and the Wakkerstroom Centre. He is responsible for the financial management of the organisation, including financial reporting to the Board of Directors and the Audit and Risk Committee. Fanie serves on several organisational committees, including the African Birdlife Magazine Management, Marketing and Fundraising Committees. He is also responsible for the financial management of the BirdLife National Trust and the Middelpunt Wetland Trust.

Audit and Risk Committee

Andrew Mitchell
Chairperson

Chris Cory

Philip Calinikos

Germari Pieterse

Arthur Plint

BirdLife South Africa staff (in attendance): Mark D. Anderson, Fanie du Plessis

Remuneration Committee

Yvonne Pennington
Chairperson

Philip Calinikos
Treasurer

David Chamberlain

BirdLife South Africa Staff (in attendance): Mark D. Anderson, Fanie du Plessis

Nominations Committee

Dr Penny Abbot
Chairperson

Ismail Bhorat

Yvonne Pennington

Linda Hart

Galeboe Modisapodi

BirdLife South Africa Staff (in attendance): Mark D. Anderson, Dr Isabel Human

Fundraising Committee

Yvonne Pennington
Chairperson

Linda Hart

Vernon Head

Mark D. Anderson

Hanneline Smit-Robinson

Fanie du Plessis

BirdLife South Africa staff (in attendance): Tarryn McKechnie, Kurt Martin

African Birdlife Magazine Management Committee

David Chamberlain
Chairman

Mark D. Anderson
CEO

Vernon Head

Tanya Caldwell
Advertising

Fanie du Plessis
Chief Financial Officer

Anton Crone
Editor

Leni Martin
Assistant Editor

Samantha Morgan
Classified Advertising/Bulk Subscriptions

Bryony van Wyk
Designer

Prof. Peter Ryan
Scientific Advisor

Kurt Martin
Communications Manager

BirdLife National Trust

BirdLife South Africa raises and husbands funds for the purpose and aims of the organization, namely the protection and preservation of birds and their habitats in South Africa.

David Lawrence
Chairman

Humphrey Borkum

Philip Calinikos

Yvonne Pennington

Roger Wanless

Nicky Newton-King

Ghita Erling

BirdLife South Africa staff (in attendance):

Mark D. Anderson
Chief Executive Officer
[email protected]

Fanie du Plessis
Chief Financial Officer
[email protected]

Isdell House

Isdell House serves as BirdLife South Africa’s head office in the leafy Dunkeld West suburb of Johannesburg, a spot chosen for its central location near key transport links like the Gautrain and its potential as a sound investment. The building, originally constructed around 60 years ago, was redeveloped in 2015 with a focus on sustainability—recycling materials, installing energy-saving features such as LED lights, insulation, and a heat pump for hot water, plus rainwater harvesting tanks to support a waterwise indigenous garden that mimics South African habitats like grasslands and wetlands to attract birds and other wildlife. Named after major donors Pamela and Neville Isdell, and owned by the BirdLife National Trust, it houses administrative spaces, a conservation wing, a library with bird-related publications, and a shop, all without diverting funds from core conservation work. This eco-friendly base supports our efforts to protect South Africa’s birds and biodiversity, and visitors are welcome to explore the garden or learn more about getting involved.

Address: Isdell House, 17 Hume Road (cnr Hume Road/Jan Smuts Drive), Dunkeld West 2196, Gauteng

Gill Memorial Medal

Gill Memorial Medal (Edwin Leonard Gill 1877 – 1956)

BirdLife South Africa’s most prestigious award is the Gill Memorial Medal, which is awarded for outstanding lifetime contributions to ornithology (the study of birds) in southern Africa.

The inaugural medal was presented to Jack Winterbottom in 1960, and the most recent recipient was Colleen Downs (2023). The list of recipients includes a very renowned group of southern Africa’s distinguished ornithologists.

BirdLife South Africa will send out an annual notification inviting and announcing the closing date for nominations for the Gill Memorial Medal each year.

Enquiries can be sent to [email protected].

Procedures and Criteria

Any member of BirdLife South Africa can nominate a candidate and each nomination shall be seconded by at least one other member of the organisation. It is not acceptable for a person to nominate or second their own candidacy. Nominations shall include an appropriate motivation, the candidate’s CV, and a list of the candidate’s relevant achievements, which most frequently shall be in the form of publications.

Members of the Selection Committee can nominate candidates.

The Chairperson of the Selection Committee shall be the Chairperson of the Board of Directors of BirdLife South Africa.

If a member of the Selection Committee is nominated for the award, that member shall step down from deliberations in such cases.

All nominations shall be sent to the Human Resources and Governance Manager of BirdLife South Africa. All nominations shall be received by the Human Resources and Governance Manager.

The Selection Committee shall comprise the Chairperson of the Board of Directors of BirdLife South Africa, the Chief Executive Officer of BirdLife South Africa, and the Director of the FitzPatrick Institute.

The members of the Selection Committee shall vote on the nominations.

Where there is a single nomination, the candidate must be positively supported by two-thirds or more of the Selection Committee members.
Where two candidates are nominated, the one supported by two-thirds or more of the Selection Committee members shall receive the award.
Where more than two candidates are nominated, voting shall have several iterations whereby the lowest scoring candidate/s is/are eliminated after each iteration until only two candidates remain for the final poll.
The members of the Selection Committee may abstain from voting for one or more candidates at any stage.
In all cases, the winning candidate must be positively supported by at least two-thirds of the Selection Committee.
The Chairperson of the Selection Committee shall have a deciding vote where necessary.
It follows that the medal shall not be awarded if the nomination/s fail to receive the requisite support.
In exceptional circumstances, the Selection Committee may decide to award medals to both of the top two scoring candidates. In such cases, one award shall be made in that year and the other in the following year. The Chairperson of the Selection Committee shall advise the Selection Committee members of this unusual option at the time of the poll of the final two candidates.

The deliberations of the Selection Committee shall be treated as confidential.

The results shall be forwarded by the Chairperson of the Selection Committee/Human Resources and Governance Manager to the Board of Directors of BirdLife South Africa for approval.

The Chairperson of the Board of Directors shall inform the necessary parties of the outcome and, where positive, shall award the Medal at the next Annual General Meeting of the organisation, which determines the year of the award.

The recipient shall give a Gill Memorial Medal Address at the Annual General Meeting.

The travel and accommodation costs of the recipient’s attendance at the Annual General Meeting shall be paid by the organisation.

The Medal shall be reported in the organisation’s publications and the Chairperson of the Selection Committee shall provide an appropriate biographical account of the recipient.

The content of the Gill Memorial Medal Address shall be published, either in full or in an abbreviated form, in at least one of the organisation’s publications (Ostrich and African Birdlife). The final decision in this regard shall lie with the editors of these publications, as guided by the Chief Executive Officer of the organisation.

For more information, please contact Isabel Human at BirdLife South Africa at 011 789 1122 or email [email protected].

Recipients of the Gill Memorial Medal

1960 – Jack Winterbottom*
1964 – Gerry J Broekhuysen*
1966 – Jack Skead*
1970 – Pat Hall*
1972 – Phillip Alexander Clancey*
1975 – Gordon L Maclean*
1976 – W Roy Siegfried
1980 – Con Benson*
1984 – Michael P Stuart “Miles” Irwin*

1985 – Mary K “Bunty” Rowan*
1988 – Richard K Brooke*
1992 – Ken Newman*
1996 – Warwick R Tarboton
1998 – Terry Oatley*
2008 – Ian Sinclair
2009 – William Richard John Dean*
2010 – Alan Charles Kemp
2011 – Peter Roy Barry Steyn*

2012 – John Cooper
2013 – Robert James Minchin Crawford
2014 – Adrian Craig
2016 – Philip Anthony Richard Hockey*
2017 – Leslie Gordon Underhill
2019 – Claire Spottiswoode
2021 – David George Allan (Citation)
2022 – Peter Ryan (Citation)
2023 – Colleen Downs (Citation)

* Denotes deceased

Austin Roberts Memorial Medal

This medal is named after Austin Roberts (1883-1948) who, more than 70 years after his death, remains a household name thanks to the range of bird books that carry his name. Austin Roberts was one of the co-founders and stalwarts of BirdLife South Africa’s predecessor, the Southern African Ornithological Society; he was the society’s first treasurer, later its secretary, and he edited the society’s journal, Ostrich, from its inception until his death. Austin Roberts also played an untiring role in the later years of his life in promoting the conservation of birds.

Gill Memorial Medal (Edwin Leonard Gill 1877 – 1956)

Recipients of the Austin Roberts Memorial Medal

2014 – John Ledger
2015 – David Chamberlain
2019 – Bruce Dyer
2025 – Pamela Isdell (Citation)*
2026 – Vernon R. L. Head (Citation)

*Deceased

About this medal

The Austin Roberts Memorial Medal has been established to honour people who have made a significant contribution to bird conservation in South Africa.

This honour can be awarded for various forms of support; primarily, awards will be made to those who have made a sustained commitment to bird conservation and who have achieved enduring results in enhancing the conservation status of individual bird species, bird communities, key bird habitats or important bird sites, and/or who have brought about positive changes in local attitudes or national policies that have been for the benefit of bird conservation. Actions to safeguard populations of threatened species will rank above those benefitting non-threatened species.

The medal is open to both professionals employed in the conservation field and to non-professionals who have voluntarily applied their time, skills and talents to the benefit of bird conservation.

Provided that a suitable candidate is identified, the Austin Roberts Memorial Medal could be awarded every year. No more than one Austin Roberts Memorial Medal will be made in any given year.

The Austin Roberts Memorial Medal is presented at BirdLife South Africa’s Annual General Meetings. BirdLife South Africa will send out an annual notification inviting and announcing the closing date for nominations for the Austin Roberts Memorial Medal each year.

Enquiries can be sent to [email protected].

Nominations

A call for nominations shall be published in BirdLife South Africa’s publications and sent to BirdLife South Africa’s staff, Board of Directors and bird clubs approximately 6 months in advance of the envisaged award date.
Any member of BirdLife South Africa can nominate a candidate and each nomination shall be seconded by at least one other member of BirdLife South Africa.
A person cannot nominate himself/herself nor can they second their own candidacy.

Nominations shall include an appropriate motivation and a copy of the candidate’s CV.
Members of the Selection Committee can nominate candidates.
Nominations must be submitted to BirdLife South Africa’s HR Manager, who shall circulate these to the members of the Selection Committee.

The Selection Committee

The Chairperson of BirdLife South Africa will chair the Selection Committee and there will be four other members, one of which will be BirdLife South Africa’s Chief Executive Officer, and the rest will be appointees made at the discretion of the Chairperson.

If a member of the Selection Committee is nominated for the award, that member shall temporarily stand down and be replaced by another appointee.

Selection procedure

The members of the Selection Committee shall vote on the nominations. Where there is a single nomination, the candidate must be positively supported by two-thirds or more of the Selection Committee members. Where two candidates are nominated, the one supported by two-thirds or more of the Selection Committee members shall receive the award. Where more than two candidates are nominated, voting shall have several iterations whereby the lowest scoring candidate/s is/are eliminated after each iteration until only two candidates remain for the final poll. Any member of the Selection Committee may abstain from voting for one or more candidates at any stage. In all cases, the winning candidate must be positively supported by at least two-thirds of the Selection Committee. The Chairman of the Selection Committee shall have a deciding vote where necessary. It follows that the award shall not be awarded if the nomination/s fail to receive the requisite support.
The deliberations of the Selection Committee shall be treated as confidential.
The result shall be forwarded by the Chairman of the Selection Committee/HR Manager to the Board of Directors of BirdLife South Africa for approval.
The Chairman of the Selection Committee shall inform the necessary parties of the outcome and, where positive, shall present the award at the next Annual General Meeting of BirdLife South Africa, which determines the year of the award.

The Austin Roberts Memorial Award will be in the form of a medal and a framed certificate.
The recipient shall present the Austin Roberts Memorial Address at the Annual General Meeting.
The travel and accommodation costs of the recipient’s attendance at the Annual General Meeting shall be paid by BirdLife South Africa.
The award shall be reported in BirdLife South Africa’s publications and the Chairman of the Selection Committee shall provide an appropriate biographical account of the recipient.
The content of the Austin Roberts Memorial Address shall be published, either in full or in an abbreviated form, in at least one of the BirdLife South Africa’s publications (Ostrich and African Birdlife). The final decision in this regard shall lie with the editors of these publications, as guided by the Chief Executive Officer of BirdLife South Africa.
For more information, please contact Isabel Human at BirdLife South Africa on +27(0)11 789 1122 or email [email protected]

Donations to BirdLife South Africa may contribute to your B-BBEE scorecard as we are fully SED compliant in terms of the B-BBEE Act. We are a registered Public Benefit Organisation (No. 930004518) and authorised to issue 18A tax certificates where applicable.