South Africa
With over 20 years of experience, I’m a seasoned and versatile writer specialising in environmental journalism, conservation storytelling, and editorial strategy.
I bring a confident, adaptable writing style across formats - from breaking news and in-depth features to strategic donor communications, digital campaigns, and polished copyedits. My work focuses on driving awareness and action around biodiversity, climate resilience, and sustainability. I’ve been published in many of South Africa’s leading outlets, including Daily Maverick, Business Day, Daily Mail, Cape Times, The Star, and Africa Geographic.
Below is a selection of my published work.
By Melissa Reitz - Animal Survival International The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) the international body that oversees trade in endangered species, has given Namibia the go-ahead to capture and sell 57 wild elephants, of which around 35 will be exported to captive destinations.
By Melissa Reitz - Animal Survival International (ASI) The link between human-wildlife conflict and climate change is a conversation we can no longer ignore. Over the past decade, this conflict has become as pressing a threat to wild populations as poaching, trafficking and habitat loss.
by: Melissa Reitz Last month, South Africa's government took a significant step forward for animal welfare and lion conservation when the Minister of the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment (DFFE), Barbara Creecy, announced a complete ban on the controversial captive lion breeding industry.
Experts say the government is ignoring science and dragging its feet in the face of a crisis
As the countdown begins to the 17th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (CoP17) for CITES, which commences in Johannesburg on 24 September, conservationists question the relevance of the issues at stake and what can be expected from the host - South Africa.
The African elephant population is already facing unprecedented pressure on its survival from poaching, so added pressure from the captive elephant industry is the last thing it needs. Reviews by the Department of Environmental Affairs of existing legislation that ensures wild elephants are safe from being captured and placed into permanent captivity do not auger well.
Conservationists are alarmed by Environmental Affairs Minister Edna Molewa's increasingly dangerous 'conservation' proposals, writes Melissa Reitz
Melissa Reitz Humans are almost never the victims of great white sharks, but great whites are always the victims of our mythology about them. And that mythology is doing damage to their species. "Statistically shark attacks remain one of the lowest annual causes of human injury and fatality by wildlife globally," says Gregg Oelofse, head of environmental policy and strategy for the City of Cape Town.
For as long as most of us can remember a shroud of mystery has surrounded the Knysna forest elephants.