As 2025 wraps up—a year that has been both tough and incredibly fulfilling—I am filled with immense gratitude. We are on the verge of something truly special: in 2026, the Kruger to Canyons Biosphere Region will celebrate 25 years since it was designated as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve back in 2001.
Twenty-five years ago, a few dreamers had the idea that national parks, private reserves, communal lands and rural communities could be united under one shared vision—to demonstrate that people and nature can not only live together, but truly flourish together, creating a sustainable future. Today, that dream is becoming our everyday reality: a stunning mosaic that stretches from the wildlife-rich savannas of Kruger, across the mist-clad Drakensberg escarpment, to the awe-inspiring Blyde River Canyon. It has become a unifying force for good and, I believe, a blueprint for a better future.
The past 25 years have been nothing short of extraordinary. Together, we have restored thousands of hectares of degraded land, brought back keystone species, helped discover new species, built sustainable livelihoods through eco-tourism and responsible agriculture, and created genuine spaces where traditional knowledge and modern science walk hand in hand. We have endured droughts, floods, a global pandemic and economic storms, yet we have emerged stronger every time—because of the unbreakable partnerships between conservation authorities, private landowners, local municipalities, traditional leaders and, above all, the communities who call this place home.
I feel immensely privileged to have taken on the chairperson’s role this year from Dr John Job, who served with vision and steadfast commitment for a seminal ten years and who guided K2C to ever-greater heights. It was under his leadership that the transformative Global Affairs Canada (GAC) funding was secured—funding that has placed K2C on a secure and sustainable footing for decades to come.
I also want to express my heartfelt gratitude to Marie Tinka Uys, our CEO, who has been with K2C every step of the way on this 25-year journey. With her incredibly energetic and dedicated team supporting this amazing organisation, I feel more confident than ever about our future.
Looking ahead fills me with even greater hope. Climate change, biodiversity loss and social inequality are still pressing issues, but so is our shared determination. New restoration projects are already gaining momentum, our environmental education programmes are reaching thousands of bright young minds and innovative financing models are rewarding those who care for our environment in ways we could only have imagined years ago. Together, we are positioning K2C as a global symbol of what a truly people-centred biosphere can achieve in the 21st century.
Our 25th anniversary celebrations in 2026 will not just be a moment to look back with pride; they will mark a renewed commitment to a resilient, inclusive and biodiverse future.
To every volunteer, donor, staff member, board member, partner and neighbour who has walked this path with us – thank you from the bottom of my heart. Because of you, the Kruger to Canyons Biosphere Region is far more than just a UNESCO designation. It is a promise fulfilled, a landscape deeply cherished and a legacy we are proud to pass on to the generations who will come after us.
Here’s to the next 25 years – may they shine even brighter!
Kevin Leo-Smith
Board Chair
Kruger to Canyons Biosphere