Andrew Muir - 2008 Laureate

Umzi Wethu project manager Pinky Kondlo (left) visits students Ntomboxolo Ngoxoza (centre) and Phakamisa Kolisi (right) at their home in a township. Busisiwe Mhlakaza (centre) puts her hospitality training into practice serving customers at Umzi Wethu's coffee shop, Conyngham's. Orphans Nomasomi Coko (left) and Ntomboxolo Ngoxoza discover their new home in the student accommodation of the Umzi Wethu academy. Andrew Muir, house mother Nthombi Kungwayo (in dark blue) and Umzi Wethu students are examples of hope and opportunityfor many South Africans. Blesbok antelopes and black wildebeest are part of the rich biodiversity that fuels the ecotourism industry in South Africa. Andrew Muir (left) and Umzi Wethu graduate, Freddie Van Rayner, at the Kuzuko Game Reserve, where Van Rayner is now employed as a ranger. With Umzi Wethu, Andrew Muir links the conservation of a rich natural biodiversity with social development and ecotourism, helping orphans find a new place in their community. Student Phakamisa Kolisi (foreground) is training to be a chef with guidance from Umzi Wethu teacher Thobeka Zamisa. Thanks to Muir 's programme, orphans Andiswa Sizani (centre) and Simphiwe Mantile (right) are now employed at the Shamwari Game Reserve. At the Umzi Wethu academy, vulnerable young people learn how to become game rangers. The curriculum also includes life skills and wellness counselling. Muir 's programme guarantees that skilled graduates will find jobs. Danny Sauls (left), Freddie Van Rayner and Lusanda Ceshemba (right) are now employed at the Kuzuko Game Reserve. Caring for wildlife like these elephants at the Shamwari Game Reserve requires a skilled workforce which Muir's Umzi Wethu programme is helping to provide.
Umzi Wethu project manager Pinky Kondlo (left) visits students Ntomboxolo Ngoxoza (centre) and Phakamisa Kolisi (right) at their home in a township.

©Rolex Awards/Tomas Bertelsen

Eastern Cape province, South Africa, 2008
Umzi Wethu project manager Pinky Kondlo (left) visits students Ntomboxolo Ngoxoza (centre) and Phakamisa Kolisi (right) at their home in a township.

Busisiwe Mhlakaza (centre) puts her hospitality training into practice serving customers at Umzi Wethu's coffee shop, Conyngham's.

©Rolex Awards/Tomas Bertelsen

Port Elizabeth, South Africa, 2008
Busisiwe Mhlakaza (centre) puts her hospitality training into practice serving customers at Umzi Wethu's coffee shop, Conyngham's.

Orphans Nomasomi Coko (left) and Ntomboxolo Ngoxoza discover their new home in the student accommodation of the Umzi Wethu academy.

©Rolex Awards/Tomas Bertelsen

Port Elizabeth, South Africa, 2008
Orphans Nomasomi Coko (left) and Ntomboxolo Ngoxoza discover their new home in the student accommodation of the Umzi Wethu academy.

Andrew Muir, house mother Nthombi Kungwayo (in dark blue) and Umzi Wethu students are examples of hope and opportunityfor many South Africans.

©Rolex Awards/Tomas Bertelsen

Somerset East, South Africa, 2008
Andrew Muir, house mother Nthombi Kungwayo (in dark blue) and Umzi Wethu students are examples of hope and opportunityfor many South Africans.

Blesbok antelopes and black wildebeest are part of the rich biodiversity that fuels the ecotourism industry in South Africa.

©Rolex Awards/Tomas Bertelsen

Eastern Cape province, South Africa, 2008
Blesbok antelopes and black wildebeest are part of the rich biodiversity that fuels the ecotourism industry in South Africa.

Andrew Muir (left) and Umzi Wethu graduate, Freddie Van Rayner, at the Kuzuko Game Reserve, where Van Rayner is now employed as a ranger.

©Rolex Awards/Tomas Bertelsen

Eastern Cape province, South Africa, 2008
Andrew Muir (left) and Umzi Wethu graduate, Freddie Van Rayner, at the Kuzuko Game Reserve, where Van Rayner is now employed as a ranger.

With Umzi Wethu, Andrew Muir links the conservation of a rich natural biodiversity with social development and ecotourism, helping orphans find a new place in their community.

©Rolex Awards/Tomas Bertelsen

Eastern Cape province, South Africa, 2008
With Umzi Wethu, Andrew Muir links the conservation of a rich natural biodiversity with social development and ecotourism, helping orphans find a new place in their community.

Student Phakamisa Kolisi (foreground) is training to be a chef with guidance from Umzi Wethu teacher Thobeka Zamisa.

©Rolex Awards/Tomas Bertelsen

Port Elizabeth, South Africa, 2008
Student Phakamisa Kolisi (foreground) is training to be a chef with guidance from Umzi Wethu teacher Thobeka Zamisa.

Thanks to Muir 's programme, orphans Andiswa Sizani (centre) and Simphiwe Mantile (right) are now employed at the Shamwari Game Reserve.

©Rolex Awards/Tomas Bertelsen

Eastern Cape province, South Africa, 2008
Thanks to Muir 's programme, orphans Andiswa Sizani (centre) and Simphiwe Mantile (right) are now employed at the Shamwari Game Reserve.

At the Umzi Wethu academy, vulnerable young people learn how to become game rangers. The curriculum also includes life skills and wellness counselling.

©Rolex Awards/Tomas Bertelsen

Somerset East, South Africa, 2008
At the Umzi Wethu academy, vulnerable young people learn how to become game rangers. The curriculum also includes life skills and wellness counselling.

Muir 's programme guarantees that skilled graduates will find jobs. Danny Sauls (left), Freddie Van Rayner and Lusanda Ceshemba (right) are now employed at the Kuzuko Game Reserve.

©Rolex Awards/Tomas Bertelsen

Eastern Cape province, South Africa, 2008
Muir 's programme guarantees that skilled graduates will find jobs. Danny Sauls (left), Freddie Van Rayner and Lusanda Ceshemba (right) are now employed at the Kuzuko Game Reserve.

Caring for wildlife like these elephants at the Shamwari Game Reserve requires a skilled workforce which Muir's Umzi Wethu programme is helping to provide.

©Rolex Awards/Tomas Bertelsen

Eastern Cape province, South Africa, 2008
Caring for wildlife like these elephants at the Shamwari Game Reserve requires a skilled workforce which Muir's Umzi Wethu programme is helping to provide.