Paardeberg Sustainability Initiative [PSI] Mission Statement

The Paardeberg Sustainability Initiative[PSI] was conceived in  2001, in recognition of  threats to the biodiversity and natural resources of the Paardeberg , a privately-owned mountain in the Western Cape, South Africa.  A primary  threat  is economic pressure facing some 40 farmers and landowners of the mountaintop and surrounding areas.  Additional and aggravating threats are global climate shifts, poverty, and lack of capacity in  local education  and implementation of  world guidelines [Agenda 21, Millennium Development Goals, etc] for sustainable development.

PSI is currently registered as a voluntary association, and is pursuing  registration as a non-profit organisation[NPO] Section 21 company.  It is aligned with several  enterprises  which share its vision and operate in the Paardeberg, and  in this sense can be defined as a partnership venture.  Through  fundraising for various integrated non-profitable projects,  the PSI  seeks to promote sustainability of the greater Paardeberg area. The PSI also encourages local profitable enterprises to  contribute generously   and  tax-efficiently to a central fund  that is managed by  the Board of Directors of the PSI. These funds are distributed to  projects requiring support, through a process that seeks to fulfill both the agenda of the donor and the mandate of the PSI.  

The organogram below depicts enterprises   projects operating within the PSI. The underlined projects  depend  on the PSI for funding, while the enterprises in bold italics represent potential sources of funds/assets for the PSI.  Entities  that are depicted in bold italics and  also underlined, both need the support of the PSI while also contributing  to  one or more  projects [eg alien clearing, fire protection, etc] .

The  vision of the PSI is

• to create a successful model of sustainable development,

• promoted by profitable enterprises and non-profitable projects, 

• co-operating in a partnership that oversees responsible management of natural resources and biodiversity ,

• within an economic framework  that  obviates  the plague of poverty and social decay. 

The PSI  houses several subprojects, including the Paardeberg Fire Protection Association, the Paardeberg Recycling Program and the Paardeberg Green Wine Tasting Club.  All finances are conducted through a central bank account, but independently managed and audited for each project separately,  as per the PSI constitution/inaugural meeting.  The PSI does not  prejudice the independence of enterprises or projects falling within its ambit, but its  role in protecting biodiversity and natural resources  of the Paardeberg , influences the directives it generates through participation of all interested and affected parties of any single project or enterprise.