Popo Scott earned the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Kudu Awards for decades of dedication. The late legend committed 45 years of loyalty to the preservation of some of the country’s most precious natural treasures:
Midrand, South Africa (08 December 2023) — At the end of November, South Africa National Parks held its annual Kudu Awards ceremony to celebrate conservationists and environmentalists who have gone above and beyond in their unsung dedication to our natural treasures. One of the awardees was the late Popo Scott, whose lifetime loyalty has been instrumental to some of the country’s most-prized conservation wonders.
Described as a ‘momentous highlight of the evening,’ Popo Scott’s story of commitment came to the forefront. As the winner of the Lifetime Achievement Award, it goes without saying that this was a man who played a massive role in contributing to the preservation of so many natural treasures locals and travellers have long been enchanted by.
Popo Scott became a general worker at the Tsitsikamma National Park when he was just a teenager after the then-park manager Warden of the Park employed him in the 1960s.
For 45 years, he committed his service to SANParks and was a force of ‘tireless effort’; honoured for his decades of work ethic and loyalty.
His work is remembered today as a legacy. This was someone who built the world-famous Otter Trail, as well as the network of trails in the Tsitsikamma National Park. Not to mention, he contributed the boardwalk to the suspension bridge in the Park, which was created with recycled plastic as an innovative day trail.
When early tourism facilities burnt down, many may not have known that these were also the handiwork of none other than Popo Scott.
“Oom Popo Scott’s lifetime of dedication to conservation exemplifies the spirit of the Kudu Awards. His commitment to the environment has not only contributed to the success of SANParks but has also inspired a new generation of conservationists,” shared Ms Vuyisa Radebe, Regional General Manager for the Garden Route National Park.
“The Lifetime Achievement Award presented to Oom Popo Scott serves as a reminder of the impact that individuals can have on the future of our planet. As we honour his legacy, we are inspired to continue the collective effort to preserve and protect the biodiversity that makes South Africa truly extraordinary,” concluded Vuyisa Radebe.
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