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18 July 2025
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This platform supports healthcare professionals in formally recommending time in nature for patients and clients who can benefit from nature’s restorative qualities.
We are doing this through a network of experienced nature-based facilitators and committed healthcare professionals who understand that nature plays a vital role in protecting and promoting physical and psychological wellbeing.
Our purpose is to support healthcare professionals and clients in their care with meaningful nature-based activities that form part of a connective and integrative approach to person-centred health and wellbeing.
We call this Nature Referrals: an evidence-backed form of nature-based social prescribing gaining increasing acceptance around the world.
And now in South Africa.
A Nature Referral enables your healthcare professional to formally recommend meaningful nature-based experiences that matter to you and which promote your long-term wellbeing and spark a desire to contribute toward ecological renewal. It’s mutually beneficial.
Nature Referrals recognise that interpersonal engagement and social connection are an integral part of optimal psycho-social wellbeing.
We are building like-minded community and bolstering connections between people and places to foster a great sense of belonging.
Dr. Matthew Zylstra is Programme Director with the Kwendalo Institute and coordinates the research, education and outreach programmes being implemented through the Institute. His is developing Nature Referrals (NRx) – a local multi-stakeholder programme that empowers primary healthcare professionals to formally ‘prescribe’ nature-based activities as part of a complementary lifestyle intervention for optimal wellbeing. Matthew is also creating education courses that speak to the Institute’s mission of promoting dynamic nature-inspired learning for human and planetary health. From a research perspective, Matthew tracks innovations in human-nature connectedness as well as evaluating the impacts of nature-based interventions for conservation, education and wellness.
Matthew Zylstra is a systems ecologist focused on deepening the human-nature relationship for the health of people and planet. He has over 20 years of international experience in social-ecological research and outdoor facilitation. Matthew completed his MSc at Wageningen University (2005) and a transdisciplinary PhD at Stellenbosch University / The Sustainability Institute. His research explored how meaningful nature experiences motivate pro-environmental behaviour for action in sustainability education. Insights from this research have informed several global initiatives, such as #NatureForAll and the Planetary Health Alliance’s education framework. He was a founding co-director for Living Lands (2007-2011), education associate with Sea Change Trust (2014-2019) and field lecturer for Wildlands Studies university programmes in South Africa, Australia and New Zealand (2009-2018). Matthew is a Scientific Advisor for NatureFix and Research Fellow with the Centre for Sustainability Transitions (CST) at Stellenbosch University. He is also registered as a Professional Natural Scientist with the South African Council for Natural Scientific Professions.
Contact Matt on institute@kwendalo.co.za
General Manager
My name is Ryan de Lange, and I am an experienced entrepreneur and business director with a proven track record of leading and developing ventures both within South Africa and internationally. With a career spanning over two decades, I have been privileged to work across a range of industries, including wellness and hospitality. My expertise lies in strategic business development, operational management, and leadership across diverse organisational structures. I have consistently demonstrated the ability to identify growth opportunities, implement efficient systems, and build high-performing teams that align with an organisation’s vision and long-term goals. Having worked across national and international markets, I bring a global perspective to business, combined with a deep understanding of local market dynamics and regulatory environments. I am passionate about driving meaningful and measurable outcomes while maintaining a strong commitment to ethical leadership and values-driven entrepreneurship. I continue to be inspired by innovation, collaboration, and the opportunity to create businesses that are not only commercially successful but also socially and environmentally responsible.
Gift brings twelve years’ of extensive farming experience on the Garden Route to Kwendalo’s farm and gardens. Familiar with both the inner workings of the farm and the guest experience, Gift aims to continue growing and evolving our beautiful gardens leading the Kwendalo Gardens team to work with the land to bring about maximum benefit for our guests from our chakra, medicinal and market gardens, with maximum benefit to the earth around us.
Patricia comes to Kwendalo with a wealth of guesthouse experience and an exceptional attention to detail. Her passion for interior design and creating welcoming, nurturing spaces is sure to be noticeable to our guests and makes her the ideal candidate for managing Kwendalo’s housekeeping.
