Plant a fig tree to honour the life and legacy of South African animal rights activist and wildlife rescuer, Steve Smit.
Durban, South Africa (13 August 2026) – After a long battle with cancer, Durban-born Monkey Helpline founder and animal rights activist Steve Smit now flies free after his passing on Wednesday.
Steve spent much of his life fighting against wildlife exploitation and animal cruelty. Through his work at the Monkey Helpline – alongside partner Carol Booth – he has rescued and rehabilitated thousands of monkeys and other wildlife across KZN. Steve was also a loving father and grandfather.
Up until the very last months of his life, South Africa’s ‘Monkey Man’ showed up for the voiceless with compassion and kindness – even in his illness.
“While many of us affectionately knew him as the ‘Monkey Man,’ today we honour the profound legacy behind that name—a legacy of a tireless protector, an animal rights advocate, a rehabilitator, and a fierce voice for the voiceless.” shared Carol, in announcing Steve’s passing.
“Steve did not just live on this planet; he dedicated his life to giving back to it. Where others saw a nuisance, Steve saw a soul in need of protection.”
The legacy he leaves behind speaks to the hero he always was.
From his early days, Steve advocated for animal rights through Front for Animal Liberation and Conservation of Nature, an organisation he founded in the mid-eighties through which he fiercely opposed ivory and wildlife trade at global forums. His he used his voice for the protection of wildlife, and he fought for the recognition of the constitutional rights of individual animals in biodiversity legislation.
Steve also fiercely opposed canned hunting, captive predator breeding, and trophy hunting.
In the mid-nineties, he founded the Monkey Helpline & Direct Action with Vervet Monkey Advocacy which he championed until the very end.
“He lived by the powerful quote, ‘No one did less than he who did nothing.’” shared Carol. “Steve refused to do nothing. He chose to act, to fight, and to protect. It takes a rare kind of bravery to dedicate your life to a cause so selflessly.”
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“Steve faced heartbreak, exhaustion, and monumental challenges, yet he never wavered. He was the person who would answer the call in the dead of night, drive miles to save a wounded monkey, and spend hours nursing a fragile life back to health.”
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Jamie Drove Sick Stranger's Sandwich Route for Three Weeks to Save Their Small BusinessIt is now up to Steve’s loved ones, supporters, and fellow animal rights activists to continue his legacy. This can be done by choosing kindness over cruelty, standing up for the vulnerable, and by living with the same fierce compassion that defined his years, Earth-side.
As the news of his passing has spread, countless memories and tributes in honour of Steve and the incredible impact he has made in this world have been shared far and wide.
To extend this honour even further into something that will grow and support more life over time, Steve’s loved ones encourage everyone who knew, loved and supported him to plant a sycamore fig tree in his honour. Do it in your garden, or – with permission – at your local park, or a conservation area.
Steve stood for action where it mattered in the fight for the voiceless, let us always carry that forward.
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