Ben Dekker is a South African forester, surveyor, botanical expert, environmentalist, actor, politician, explorer, human rights activist, painter, sculptor, writer, poet and maverick.

Benito Adolfo Dekker[1] born 21 October 1940[2] in Centane,[3] South Africa from newly arrived Dutch immigrants and grew up in Vincent, East London.

After completing two years of study at Saasveld Forestry College he was posted to Lottering Forest Station, Tsitsikamma.

While stationed there, he studied for and qualified in surveying and drift sand reclamation, leading to him travelling widely throughout South African, more than he would have done as a forester.

[6][9][10][11] In 1970 he stood against Sir De Villiers Graaff, the United Party leader, in the general election in the Rondebosch East constituency.

[3][6] He opened many trails around Port St. Johns, wrote and illustrated a booklet Operation footprint about these and guided nature hikes.