Nature & Circularity Week 2025: Pioneering the Future of Sustainability in South Africa
Building on the success of the 2024 Circular Economy Hotspot, TheRockGroup (in collaboration with Bergplaas and Africa Circular Economy Network) hosts Nature and Circularity Week 2025, a bold initiative designed to redefine our relationship with nature and rethink our business practices. A call for a circular future takes center stage at this year’s summit, as we delve deeper into multi-sectoral actionable solutions.
From October 20–30 2025 immersed in the gardens of Stellenbosch’s Sustainability Institute, this transformative week will combine immersive experiences, pioneering conferences, and tranformative solutions to drive innovative and systemic change.
The program includes field visits, conferences, and workshops, with a focus on practical approaches to redesigning systems for environmental and social resilience. Centered around the themes of nature, innovation, and the circular economy, the program has something for everyone, including:
- Case Study Field Trips (Oct 20–21): On-site explorations of local innovations and best practices in sustainability.
- The Human (In) Nature Conference (Oct 22): A unique convergence of law, society, and business exploring the Rights of Nature and our collective responsibility to redefine how we live with the planet as a society, as businesses and as humans.
- South Africa Circular Summit (Oct 23): A showcase of sustainable, circular economy solutions transforming business and society, with interactive workshops and collaborative strategy sessions.
- Spirit of the Wild Experience (Oct 26–30): A wilderness immersion in Bergplaas Nature Reserve designed to reconnect individuals with nature and awaken personal leadership (only 8 places).
“This week is an invitation to rethink, redesign, and reconnect,” says HRH Princess Irene of the Netherlands, founder of Bergplaas and the Spirit of the Wild initiative. “It’s about rediscovering our place within nature and shaping a future where both humanity and the Earth can thrive.”
Highlights of this influential week include keynote sessions with global experts such as Jessica den Outer, a renowned environmental lawyer advocating for the Rights of Nature, and Cormac Cullinan, an African thought leader in ecological governance.
Nature & Circularity Week 2025 is hosted by a dynamic collaboration between ACEN, TheRockGroup, SIB, and Bergplaas Nature Reserve. Together, they invite policymakers, businesses, creatives, and community leaders to co-create a circular and nature-positive future.
Join the Movement
Spaces are limited. Pre-register for events and explore sponsorship or partnership opportunities at: https://forms.office.com/r/V9RztFXcpN
