Rangers with 30 years and more service in the park received trees as a tribute on behalf of all KNP rangers. In a tribute to the Kruger National Park (KNP) rangers the managing executive of Kruger, Abe Sibiya handed over the trees to the rangers at the International Ranger Day celebration at Letaba Camp.
Sibiya praised the Ranger Corps for their spirit of unity that they have built-up over many decades. "Rangers are, and will always be, key to our operation as a national park and I thank you for your efforts over the last three years wherein rhino poaching has escalated at an unprecedented rate", Sibiya said.
Rangers with 30 years and more service in the park received trees as a tribute on behalf of all KNP rangers. "These trees symbolize life, good health and your passion for nature. We wish you all these qualities, so please find a proper location to plant and nurture them", Sibiya added.
"Rangers are a very important component of our staff compliment and a cornerstone for our biodiversity conservation efforts. As a manager, my responsibility is to ensure that I support them as best as I can, be it with the necessary tools or advice so that they are better equipped, trained and motivated to deal with all issues out there." concluded Sibiya.
The KNP is divided into 22 ranger sections, each section managed by a section ranger who is assisted by an average of 14 field rangers. These sections are further divided into four regions (known as Nxanatseni North, Nxanatseni South, Marula North and Marula South) with four regional rangers in charge of their respective sections.
Day-today arranger activities include patrols, looking out for snares, signs of poaching activity and reporting on eventualities such as erosion, alien plants and the total integrity of our environment.
Law enforcement and community relations are some of the efforts that also form part of the rangers' duties. rangers honoured Tree recipients 01.jpg
The tree ranger recipients with 30 years and above service pose with the KNP Management Committee.
Front row left: Piet Gumede - Punda Maria (36yrs), Romeo Muhlovu - Mooiplaas (39 yrs), Thomas Macie - Olifants (38yrs), Edward Masambu - Nwanetsi (30yrs), Januarie Valoi - Mooiplaas (35yrs) and Arnold Arrie Schreiber - ECI: Conservation Services (33yrs) Middle row left: Oom Louis Olivier-regional ranger, Nxanatseni South (42yrs), Abe Sibiya-Managing Executive (ME), William Mabasa-HOD: Public Relations, Sithembile Mhlophe-regional general manager: Marula, Maureen Gunn-personal assistant to the ME, Lucy Nhlapo-HOD: Tourism and Marketing, Johann Oelofse - section ranger: Mooiplaas (32yrs).
Back row left: Jabulani Nkosi-general manager: HR, Victor Makhubedu-HOD: Finance, Dr Freek Venter-general manager: conservation management, Ben van Eeden-regional general manager: Nxanatseni and Derick Mashale-regional ranger: Marula North.
Corporal Thomas Macie, has 38 years service with the KNP.
Learn more about the Honorary Rangers
