In a move aimed at stemming the leadership crisis in embattled CapeNature, Environment MEC Tasneem Essop today announced the appointment of Christopher Clarke as the new board chairman of the Western Cape's conservation agency.

Clarke, a current board member, replaces Professor Mohamed Saheed Bayat, who resigned suddenly. The agency's other major problem has been the lack of a permanent chief executive for the past two years.

In a statement, Essop expressed her confidence in Clarke's ability to lead a "turnaround strategy" at CapeNature, describing him as "an environmental professional and an entrepreneur who is passionate about the environment" and who had demonstrated "an unwavering commitment to the agency and the conservation agenda".

Clarke, 38, has served as the chairman of CapeNature's tourism development and commercialisation committee, which is responsible for tourism development, commercialisation, marketing and fundraising.