Eastern Cape field rangers were honoured for their heroic actions at an Eastern Cape Parks and Tourism Agency (ECPTA) event yesterday at the Thomas Baines Game Reserve near Grahamstown.
The group of 155 rangers, including 32 women, are from biodiversity and heritage sites which focus on both plants and animals and marine and coastal areas.
The celebrations, which form part of World Ranger Day celebrated on July 31, was prolonged to accommodate the schedule of MEC for economic development, environmental affairs and tourism Sakhumzi Somyo and ECPTA chairwoman Vuyo Zitumane who attended along with agency CEO Vuyani Dayimani.
Dayimani said it was the second year they had hosted an award ceremony to interact with the field rangers.
“This is an opportunity for us to applaud those who work around the clock to preserve our conservation and game parks, putting their lives on the line.
“Being a ranger is not just a job, but a calling as not many people can withstand what they go through.
“They need to know that their efforts are much appreciated.” Dayimani said it was also an opportunity to engage with the rangers, hear their concerns and address them.
He further stated rangers were essential to the ECPTA family and without their commitment the agency’s mandate to promote and protect the biodiversity of the province could never be fulfilled.
Somyo recalled how in March this year when a rhino was poached, rangers reacted swiftly and three men were arrested.
“We managed to have a breakthrough and after that, we had to secure funds of
R7-million which we utilised to beef up security.”
Somyo emphasised it was essential to keep the rangers fit so they could work effectively.
The field ranger of the year award was given to Selwyn Saules from Formosa Nature Reserve in Jourbetina for the biodiversity and heritage cluster.
Phazamekile Qekele from Mkhambathi Nature Reserve in Flagstaff walked away with the award for the marine and coastal cluster.
Most arrests went to Nkosinathi Tyabashe of Dwesa Cwebe Nature Reserve in Willowvale, also part of the marine and coastal cluster.
Tyabashe told tales about how he had been working as a ranger for more than 24 years and had established ways of tracking rhinos.
“Rhinos are beautiful animals, but be careful of the black rhino ... with that one you must always keep your eyes on its feet because it is very fast and vicious – if it spots you, you must run!”
Ranger Thembelani Mabhungani said the only way to be a good ranger was to be honest and focused and not allow yourself to be tempted.
All the other rangers received medals. — mbalitanana@dispatch.co.za
East Cape field rangers honoured for ace efforts
The group of 155 rangers, including 32 women, are from biodiversity and heritage sites which focus on both plants and animals and marine and coastal areas.
The celebrations, which form part of World Ranger Day celebrated on July 31, was prolonged to accommodate the schedule of MEC for economic development, environmental affairs and tourism Sakhumzi Somyo and ECPTA chairwoman Vuyo Zitumane who attended along with agency CEO Vuyani Dayimani.
Dayimani said it was the second year they had hosted an award ceremony to interact with the field rangers.
“This is an opportunity for us to applaud those who work around the clock to preserve our conservation and game parks, putting their lives on the line.
“Being a ranger is not just a job, but a calling as not many people can withstand what they go through.
“They need to know that their efforts are much appreciated.” Dayimani said it was also an opportunity to engage with the rangers, hear their concerns and address them.
He further stated rangers were essential to the ECPTA family and without their commitment the agency’s mandate to promote and protect the biodiversity of the province could never be fulfilled.
Somyo recalled how in March this year when a rhino was poached, rangers reacted swiftly and three men were arrested.
“We managed to have a breakthrough and after that, we had to secure funds of
R7-million which we utilised to beef up security.”
Somyo emphasised it was essential to keep the rangers fit so they could work effectively.
The field ranger of the year award was given to Selwyn Saules from Formosa Nature Reserve in Jourbetina for the biodiversity and heritage cluster.
Phazamekile Qekele from Mkhambathi Nature Reserve in Flagstaff walked away with the award for the marine and coastal cluster.
Most arrests went to Nkosinathi Tyabashe of Dwesa Cwebe Nature Reserve in Willowvale, also part of the marine and coastal cluster.
Tyabashe told tales about how he had been working as a ranger for more than 24 years and had established ways of tracking rhinos.
“Rhinos are beautiful animals, but be careful of the black rhino ... with that one you must always keep your eyes on its feet because it is very fast and vicious – if it spots you, you must run!”
Ranger Thembelani Mabhungani said the only way to be a good ranger was to be honest and focused and not allow yourself to be tempted.
All the other rangers received medals. — mbalitanana@dispatch.co.za
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