by Mea Lashbrooke 27.10.13

Reverend John Oliver, well-known champion of Princess Vlei and many other envrionmental and social causes, was recognised for his remarkable contribution to our planet by the Western Cape Branch of the Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa (WESSA) on Saturday.

The ceremony, attended by enthusiastic and committed earth keepers, was held at the sweepingly beautiful wine farm, Vondeling, near Wellington.

Mrs Emma Oliver and her daughter Sarah Oliver of Zeekoeivlei were presented with a posthumous award for the late Reverend John Oliver, highlighting the work and guidance that he undertook for the environment. Father John, well-known and much-loved as parish Priest of St Marks in District Six and as champion of the interfaith movement in South Africa, was also passionate about what he referred to as “God’s Garden”.

Father John’s passion was evident in Van Blommestein Park and Recreation Centre, on the shore of Zeekoeivlei. Once polluted and clogged with aliens, this site is now an Associate Member of the International Quiet Garden Movement, transformed through Father’s John’s passion and leadership.

Father John was also a founder member and key player in the Princess Vlei Forum until his death in July this year. The Forum spearheads a campaign to conserve Princess Vlei for the future development as an enviro-park, contesting the proposed sale of the land by the City for the development of a shopping mall, parking for 600 cars and a taxi rank.

“Father John’s love of the earth was inextricably bound with his love of God. For him separation from nature was a type of apartheid, bringing all the devastation and sorrow that apartheid always brings; the well-being of the environment was concomitant with the well-being of people and for this reason he was unfailing in his efforts to spread understanding around the issue of Princess Vlei, incorporating as it does so many fundamentals of a healthy society.” These words form part of the motivation submitted for Father John’s nomination.

Announcing the award, Mr John Green, past president of WESSA who chaired the day’s events, said “Father John Oliver has made a huge contribution to both interfaith ‘walking together’ and inspiring the community to strategically get involved with the intertwined social, economic and natural environmental challenges which are epitomized in Princess Vlei.” Mr Green referred to Dr Mamphele Ramphele’s 2009 call for collective and decisive action that she made during the Dinokeng Scenario planning workshop in that year. At that time she spoke of the urgency for a public ground swell that demanded action from governments, and the need for a new generation of visionary leaders with the courage to implement the changes required. “This is as true today as it was then” said Mr Green.

On receiving the award on behalf of her husband, Mrs Emma Oliver explained that it would be her husband’s wish that as many people as possible should rise up to defend Princess Vlei with their hearts and minds.

Environmentalist and author Colin Bell reminded participants that the way to real and lasting preservation and growth, is to bring local communities on board, to work together and to share. ‘Winner takes all’ is not the way to a viable future. Bell co-authored Africa’s Finest, a glossy but informative coffee table book containing a raft of important and fascinating facts about Africa, including details of genuinely ‘green’ lodges.

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