Plettenberg Bay is celebrating a proud achievement in conservation storytelling. Local filmmaker and visual artist Daron Chatz has been named a finalist in the prestigious International Tourism Film Festival Africa (ITFFA) for his film Mother of All Mothers.
The film highlights the importance of protecting our coastline, honouring 150,000 years of ancestral history while showcasing the natural beauty of the Garden Route. Reflecting on the nomination, Chatz expressed his gratitude for the team effort behind the project:
"What a blessing and an honour to be a conduit for this message and to collaborate with such incredible people. Thank you, ITFFA, for your nomination."
Discover the Robberg Coastal Corridor and Inqua Trail
Inspired by the landscapes featured in the film? Visitors can experience this remarkable stretch of coastline firsthand on their next trip to Plett.
The Robberg Coastal Corridor Protected Environment (RCCPE) is an 18-kilometre section of protected coastline linking the iconic Robberg Nature Reserve with the Garden Route National Park. Managed as a non-profit initiative by local landowners, the corridor safeguards a sensitive and biodiverse ecological link. It provides habitat for endangered fynbos, birdlife, and coastal wildlife, helping to maintain important ecological connections across the landscape.
Running through this environment is the Inqua Trail, a guided eco-hiking experience that follows routes once travelled by some of the region’s earliest inhabitants. The trail passes through the Cradle of Human Culture and significant archaeological sites such as Nelson’s Bay Cave. Along the way, hikers encounter ancient rock formations, hidden rock pools, and dramatic coastal cliffs.
The Inqua Trail also plays a vital role in conservation. As the primary funding source for the RCCPE, every hiker contributes directly to clearing invasive alien vegetation, monitoring biodiversity, and protecting the area from increasing development pressure.
A Powerful Connection to Nature
The team at the Robberg Coastal Corridor expressed their appreciation for Chatz’s work and its contribution to conservation awareness:
"The storytelling is so powerful — you can really feel the connection between people, place, and purpose. This is exactly the kind of awareness that inspires conservation and appreciation for such a special space."
Mother of All Mothers is more than a film; it is a tribute to our coastline and a reminder of the shared responsibility to protect and preserve the natural world.
The International Tourism Film Festival Africa is taking place at the Bannister Hotel & Surrounds in Braamfontein, Johannesburg, from 2–5 June 2026.
Congratulations to Daron Chatz and his creative team — we’re rooting for you!
