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To conserve southern African indigenous orchids in their natural habitat.

To engender a real interest in indigenous orchids which will render them valuable and worthy of protection.

WOSA supports and partners in efforts to preserve orchid habitats and works with land managers and owners to create conservancies and reserves as well assisting with restoring indigenous orchids where populations have declined. WOSA aims to establish seed and fungi collections to support research and conservation.

To develop protocols and procedures for the propagation of indigenous orchids to assure successful establishment and maintenance in natural habitats where populations are declining or have been lost due to development.

Indigenous orchids are a natural treasure and their survival can only be assured by an effective education program to elicit the support of the public, Government, agriculture and industry. This will be achieved by informative articles in the media, social networking, exhibitions and active engagement with all roll players.

Wild orchids have highly complex reproductive systems ( often dependent on a specific pollinator ) and interesting system for nutrition ( involving a symbiotic relationship with a fungi ) that assures the species survival. This helps to explain why most orchids cannot be grown in captivity. Take a photo and conserve the orchid in situ, for future generations to enjoy it in its natural habitat.

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The WOSA Constitution incorporating amendments required by SARS for registration as a Public Benefit Organisation, reference number 930050871 dd. 2015.11.14

 

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Welcome to WOSA

Very little is known about indigenous orchids by the public who are largely unaware that there are just under 500 species of which 45 are endemic (only occur in South Africa). Very little research has been carried out regarding ecology, conservation and propagation although a number of species have become extinct and habitat destruction is progressing at an alarming rate. Up until now there has been no attempt to address these issues on a National scale and Provincial legislation and cooperation is fragmented. Only through a focused National integrated effort that engages the public and all roll players will survival of orchids be assured.


 
THEME - ' INDIGENOUS
ORCHIDS IN A CHANGING LANDSCAPE '

The Conference will take place at the Dunkeld
Estate, Dullstroom, Mpumalanga on 23-25 January 2026.The programme includes pre- and post-conference
Field Trips on Friday and Sunday and a full day Conference Programme on
Saturday covering many interesting topics.

Register now limited seats
WOSA 26 Registration Form

Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for further information.

 

Conference Information

PRELIMINARY PROGRAMME

Long Tom Pass outing – Friday 23 January 2026

Meet on Friday 23 January 2026 at the parking cove on the right 100m after the Hops Hollow Country House and Brewery turnoff coming from the direction of Lydenburg at 13h30 for 14h00.

More detailed directions will be circulated with the final programme.

 

Conference – Saturday 24 January 2026

Register from 07.15 to 08.30 at Dunkeld Estate Conference Center, Dunkeld Estate, Dullstroom, Mpumalanga. Conference starts runs from 9:00 to 17:00 and includes tea breaks and lunch.

 

Verloren Valei outing – Sunday 25 January 2026

Meet on Sunday 25 January 2026 at the parking lot in front of Milly’s (Note this is Milly’s in Dullstroom itself, NOT the Milly’s on the N4 Highway). Time and details will be circulated with the final programme.

 

WOSA 26 Registration Form

 

Speakers 

Speaker: Daleen Roodt

Topic: South African Orchids — The Art and Science of Botanical

Summary: Whether through scent or deception, colour or contour, there is an intriguing seduction in the methods orchids use to lure in their pollinators. Get a glimpse of how Daleen Roodt captures these scenes in her botanical art paintings, and the fascinating process and adventures behind the creation of her artworks that has gained international acclaim.

 

Speaker: Hendré Barnard (University of Stellenbosch)

Topic: Saving Orchids with Science - Preliminary findings in the Cape Floristic Region

Summary: Orchid conservation is a pressing issue in modern times. Ex-situ cultivation is one part of the conservation tool kit to boost numbers of rare plants. For orchids this requires complex sterile culture of seeds with or without their symbiotic fungi. This research is the first comprehensive study into the germination requirements of Cape-Endemic terrestrial orchids and provides a first step towards saving the charismatic, highly endangered species in the region.

 

Speaker: Carel Fourie

Topic: Uncovering Nervilia kotschyi var. purpurata and Eulophia meleagris

Summary: The journey to find two orchid species relatively poorly known in the orchid world in South Africa. Both with the most recent records/photographs dating to the late 1990s or early 2000s. I will also detail how the Nervilia population has fared over the years since I've known of its existence in a wetland almost in the center of the busy Pretoria.


ACCOMMODATION

Delegates are responsible for their own accommodation arrangements.

There are a number of B&B’s in various pricing categories available in Dullstroom.

Should you wish to explore this option please check out the options on Lekker Slaap or at Dullstroom Reservations.

Accommodation directly at the Dunkeld Country Estate is available as follows:

Country Hotel room Classic  - R2 006.00 per night including breakfast

Country Hotel room Double – R2 542.00 per night including breakfast

Country Hotel  room Deluxe – R2 542.00 per night including breakfast

1 Bedroom Country Cottages – Self-catering – R2 890.00 per night

1 Bedroom Country Lakeview Cottages – Self-catering – R3 230.00 per night

2 Bedroom 1 Bathroom Country Chalets – Self-catering – R3 545.00 per night

3 Bedroom 2 Bathroom Country Villas – Self-catering – R4 148.00 per night

5 bedroom 3 bathroom Country Manor – Self-catering – R6 630.00 per night

5 bedroom 3 bathroom Country Farm House– Self-catering – R8 160.00 per night

 Equestrian estate

2 bedroom 2 bathroom Superior villa – Self-catering – R3 910.00 per night

3 bedroom 2 bathroom Luxury Villa – Self-catering – R4 590.00 per night

4 bedroom 4 bathroom Luxury Lodge Units - – Self-catering – R6 630.00 per night

2 bedroom 2 bathroom Luxury Apartments – Self-catering – R4 335.00 per night

Please be advised bookings must be done with Dunkeld Estate on the e-mail address: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or  telephone them on 071 056 2075 or 0800 008 710 Option 1

 

Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for further information.

For more information regarding the preservation of South Africa's wild Orchids or if you would like to get involved please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or complete this short form Contact Us and we will contact you.