Cape Town, South Africa, 16th October 2023 – Sustainable Ceder, a new environmental organisation committed to the conservation and revitalisation of the critically endangered Clanwilliam ceder tree, successfully launched its inaugural projects on Thursday, the 12th of October, 2023. The event, a lavish summer soirée, was hosted by multifaceted filmmaker, cook, traveller, and Cederberg lover, Justin Bonello.

An Evening Dedicated to Conservation and Heritage

The evening featured captivating guest talks centred on the bio-diverse and culturally rich Cederberg Region. Notable speakers included Shihaan Domingo, co-founder of The Domingo Effect; Simon Witbooi aka HemelBesem, an award-winning multifocal artist; freshwater conservation biologist Jeremy Shelton; and Enver Duminy, CEO of Cape Town Tourism. Each contributed invaluable insights into the unique challenges and opportunities present in Cederberg.

Exclusive Live Auction

Highlighting the event was a live auction of an extraordinary piece—a 22k yellow gold Sovereign coin dated 1851, Victoria Dei Gratia, weighing 3.95 grams. This rare coin, which symbolises both the history of Cederberg and its community’s journey towards sustainability, has been set in a unisex navigation rotation pendant adorned with ceder bark and white diamond accents. The live auction will continue online for the next month.

View Auction Item

Community Commitment

We extend our deepest gratitude to those who have committed to auction gifts. Your contributions claim a piece of Cederberg to be planted back into the community for future generations.

Special Thanks

We owe our success to numerous individuals and organisations, notably The Diamond Works and Aimee Kimmel Lentz, for orchestrating a remarkable evening. Our appreciation extends to Cape Nature, Cederberg Conservancy, Bushmanskloof Wilderness Reserve & Retreat, Kromrivier Cederberg Park, Cederberg Wines and Driehoek Wines. 

Special thanks must also go to the artisans who provided items for the auction Claylat Studio Roche & Rachel Muller; Rewild-Art Nelis Singels; Christina Walters and Lachlan Matthews. As well as friends of the organization Jeremy Shelton, Dom Wills, Geoff Spiby and Andrew Putter.

Special recognition also goes to our board members: Dr. Peter Linder, Andre Gerber, PJ Robertson, and Daleen Burger, as well as Matthew Philogene for designing our website.

For more details on our ongoing projects and how to get involved, please visit Sustainable Ceder's official website.

About Sustainable Ceder

Founded by Dawie Burger, a long-time resident of the Cederberg region, Sustainable Ceder is driven by a deep-rooted passion for the environment, specifically the unique and critically endangered Clanwilliam ceder tree. The organisation aims to spearhead conservation efforts in order to revitalise and sustain this integral part of the area's ecosystem and cultural heritage.

"Without one another, we are unable to live fully," said Dawie Burger, founder of Sustainable Ceder.

For Media Inquiries
Press Contact: Dawie Burger
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Telephone: +27 82 292 9031