GOVERNING
WITH INTEGRITY
Strong governance is fundamental to achieving lasting conservation impact.
The Endangered Wildlife Trust is committed to the highest standards of integrity,
accountability, transparency, and ethical leadership, ensuring that every decision
supports our mission and the responsible stewardship of the resources entrusted
to us.
As a registered Nonprofit Organisation (NPO No. 015-502) and Public Benefit
Organisation (PBO No. 930 001 777), we operate in accordance with South
Africa’s Trust Property Control Act (Act 57 of 1988) and our Amended and
Restated Deed of Trust. Together, these provide the framework that guides our
governance, decision-making, and oversight.
GOVERNANCE
OUR FRAMEWORK
Our Board of Trustees provides strategic leadership and oversight.
This ensures that the organisation remains focused on our mission, financially sustainability, and is accountable to our donors, partners, and stakeholders.
The Board is supported by three standing committees that provide specialist oversight in key areas of governance
• Audit Committee
• Social and Ethics Committee
• Remuneration Committee
Our Trustees serve in a voluntary capacity and receive no remuneration for their
service to the EWT.
Our commitment to transparency extends to our annual Integrated Report which includes our audited financial statements and governance reporting.
GOVERNANCE
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Our Board brings together leaders from business, finance, governance, law,
environmental management, tourism, and academia.
Collectively, they provide the strategic guidance, independent oversight, and
diverse expertise
that help ensure the EWT continues to deliver meaningful conservation impact
across Africa.
Mr Muhammad Seedat
Muhammad Seedat is a Professional Accountant (SA) and Registered Tax Practitioner with extensive experience in accounting, taxation, auditing, and financial governance. As Chairperson of the EWT Board of Trustees, he provides strategic leadership and helps ensure the organisation maintains the highest standards of governance, financial stewardship, and accountability.
Mr Muhammad Seedat
Trustee
Chairperson
Member: Remuneration Committee
Mr Dirk Ackerman
Dirk Ackerman is Group CEO of IQ BusinessGroup Holdings and brings extensive executive leadership experience across business, financial services, technology, and property. As Vice Chairperson of the Board, he contributes strategic leadership, commercial insight, and governance expertise that support the EWT’s long-term sustainability.
Mr Dirk Ackerman
Trustee
Vice Chairperson
Member: Remuneration Committee
Mr Paul Smith
Paul Smith is a Chartered Accountant (SA) and graduate of the Advanced Management Programme at Wharton School, with extensive senior executive experience gained at KPMG and Standard Bank. He has served for nine years as an Independent Non-Executive Director of Discovery Bank and has recently been appointed as an Independent Non-Executive Director of Absa Group. As Treasurer and Chairperson of the EWT’s Audit Committee, Paul provides oversight of the organisation’s financial governance, risk management and audit processes, helping to ensure the responsible stewardship of donor funding and organisational resources.
Mr Paul Smith
Trustee Treasurer
Chairperson: Audit Committee
Member: Social and Ethics Committee
Prof Barry Ackers
Professor Barry Ackers has extensive experience in auditing, corporate governance and integrated reporting, developed over a distinguished academic career. He brings this expertise to the Board, strengthening governance and financial oversight while chairing the Remuneration Committee and serving on the Audit Committee.
Prof Barry Ackers
Chairperson: Remuneration
Committee
Member: Audit Committee
Mr Christo Reeders
Christo Reeders is an attorney in private practice who has decades of experience with a focus on environmental, mining, commercial, constitutional, and administrative law. He provides valuable legal guidance to the Board, helping strengthen governance and supporting the EWT’s work within an evolving regulatory environment.
Mr Christo Reeders
Trustee
Mr Abdul Kader Mohamed
AK is a Chartered Accountant and senior finance executive with extensive experience in financial management, governance, and public sector leadership. As a member of the Audit Committee, he contributes strategic financial expertise and supports sound governance and accountability across the organisation.
Mr Abdul Kader Mohamed
Trustee
Member: Audit Committee
Mrs Joanna Goeller
Joanna Goeller is an environmental specialist with expertise in environmental management, sustainability, and regulatory compliance. As Chairperson of the Social and Ethics Committee, she provides oversight of ethical governance, environmental responsibility, and stakeholder accountability.
Mrs Joanna Goeller
Chairperson: Social and Ethics
Committee
Mr Sadiq Dindar
Sadiq Dindar is a tourism and business development executive with more than 30 years’ experience across the aviation and tourism sectors. His expertise in global business development, strategic partnerships, international markets, and brand development provides valuable commercial insight and supports the EWT’s
long-term growth and stakeholder engagement.
Mr Sadiq Dindar
Trustee
Ms Vikeshni Vandayar
Vikeshni Vandayar is an admitted attorney and governance specialist who serves as an Executive Director: Governance and Member Services at the Institute of Directors South Africa. She brings expertise in corporate governance, legal compliance, and board effectiveness, helping strengthen the EWT’s governance framework.
Ms Vikeshni Vandayar
Trustee
Member: Social and Ethics Committee
Mr John Burke
John Burke is an Independent Non- Executive Director and Chartered Director (SA) with more than 30 years’ experience in corporate governance, regulation, and board leadership. He brings extensive governance expertise and strategic oversight to the EWT Board, helping ensure strong leadership, accountability, and long-term organisational resilience.
Mr John Burke
Trustee
Member: Social and Ethics Committee
Member: Remuneration Committee
GOVERNANCE
GOVERNANCE
ENQUIRIES
We are committed to openness, accountability, and good governance.
If you would like further information about the EWT’s Board of Trustees,
governance framework, or committee structure, please get in touch.
GOVERNANCE
GOVERNANCE
DOCUMENTS
Our governance framework is supported by a range of policies, governing documents, and reporting mechanisms that promote accountability, transparency, and ethical decision-making.
Annual Integrated Report- Corporate Social Organisation Certificate
- Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE)
- EWT Privacy Notice
- EWT Code of Conduct
- EWT Grievance Procedure
- Promotion Of Access to Information Act No. 2 Of 2000
- Conservation For Communities
- Whistleblower Policy
- EWT Safeguarding Policy
- EWT Protection Against Sexual Abuse…
GOVERNANCE
REPORTING
CONCERNS
The Endangered Wildlife Trust is committed to maintaining a culture of integrity, accountability, and respect.
We encourage employees, volunteers, partners, suppliers, donors, and members of the public to report any concerns relating to unethical conduct, misconduct, fraud, discrimination, harassment, or breaches of our policies.
Reports are treated confidentially and managed in accordance with the EWT’s governance policies and procedures. Where appropriate, anonymous reports may be submitted.
Whistleblower
Report
Use this form to report suspected fraud, corruption, unethical conduct, conflicts of interest, or any other matter that may compromise the integrity of the EWT or its operations.
Grievance & Safeguarding Reporting
Use this form to report safeguarding concerns or grievances about actual or potential harm arising from an EWT project or activity.