Please note Hannah Lidgett, MPL sound bite in English
The Democratic Alliance in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) extends our heartfelt condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of prominent South African animal rights activist, conservationist and Monkey Helpline founder, Steve Smit.
For more than 30 years, Steve dedicated himself to the protection of animals and wildlife. His tireless commitment, compassion and determination made him a powerful voice for those who could not speak for themselves and inspired countless others to take up the cause of conservation.
Steve’s particular dedication to the protection of vervet monkeys has left an indelible mark on conservation in our province and beyond. Importantly, his work extended far beyond rescue. He played an invaluable role in educating communities about how people and wildlife can peacefully coexist, particularly as our towns and cities continue to expand into natural habitats.
Through Monkey Helpline KZN, Steve demonstrated that protecting wildlife requires not only compassion, but education, understanding and a willingness to challenge harmful practices.
His passing is an enormous loss to the conservation and animal welfare community. The DA honours Steve Smit for a lifetime of service and sacrifice in defence of South Africa’s wildlife.