ISUZU MOTORS South Africa, in partnership with the Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds (SANCCOB), is proud to announce the official opening of the newly renovated ISUZU Seabird Sanctuary at SANCCOB’s Gqeberha facility. This state-of-the-art home pen will serve as a sanctuary for 44 African penguins and one Cape Gannet, all of whom are permanent residents due to their inability to return to the wild.
SANCCOB’s Chief Executive Officer, Natalie Maskell, expressed her gratitude, saying, “We are extremely thankful to ISUZU Motors South Africa for their generous support, which made this project a reality. The impact of this new home pen will be profound, not only for the welfare of our seabird residents but also for our environmental education programs and the overall visitor experience.”
ISUZU’s substantial donation made the renovation of this critical enclosure possible. The new home pen, which has been extended by 250m2 to a total size of 500m2, not only offers these endangered seabirds a more spacious and comfortable habitat, but also enhances the educational experience for visitors and school groups, providing them with an up-close encounter with these incredible species.
“ISUZU MOTORS South Africa recognises its impact on the environment and is committed to taking action by working with organisations such as SANCCOB in conservation efforts and promoting environmental education to preserve the planet’s natural resources and biodiversity. Our goal is to help create a sustainable future, not only for the seabirds in this sanctuary but for generations of people who will learn from and be inspired to do more to protect our natural resources and biodiversity,” said Mr Lebogang Makoloi, Department Executive Corporate Affairs at ISUZU MOTORS South Africa.
The newly renovated home pen was constructed by G2 Construction and Cape Fabric Engineers, with final enhancements completed by Monate Construction in July 2024. The enclosure’s renovation began in April 2024, with a complete handover at the end of July.
As SANCCOB continues to host thousands of visitors and learners each year, the ISUZU Seabird Sanctuary will play a crucial role in educating the public about the threats facing marine ecosystems. The hope is that this enhanced experience will ignite a passion for conservation among visitors, contributing to the collective effort to save the African penguin and other threatened seabird species.
Public tours of the SANCCOB Gqeberha facility are available from 9:00 AM to 3:30 PM, seven days a week. Visitors can also enjoy the Flying Penguin Cafe and souvenir shop, with or without a tour. For school visits, please contact SANCCOB Gqeberha at 041 586 0155 or email kamva@sanccob.co.za.
For media inquiries and interview requests please contact:
Sharne’ Woods, Corporate Communications Senior Manager
Phone: +27 76 785 5090 | sharne.woods@isuzu.co.za
About ISUZU MOTORS South Africa
ISUZU MOTORS South Africa is a wholly owned subsidiary of ISUZU MOTORS Limited of Japan. ISUZU has had a presence in South Africa since 1964, when the first commercial vehicles entered the market, which was soon followed by the introduction of light commercial vehicles in 1972. The brand’s popularity grew and resulted in local production of light commercial vehicles in 1978. Today, ISUZU remains one of South Africa’s leading commercial vehicle brands and has become renowned for its durability and reliability. For more information on ISUZU products visit www.isuzu.co.za.
