Annual saNParks Honorary Rangers indaba the largest
SKUKUZA - It was an extraordinary occasion when over 430 SANParks Honorary Rangers (SHR) arrived for their annual indaba from September 7 to 10.
It was attended by representatives of 26 of the 31 regions of the SHR, from as far afield as Tsitsikamma, the Wilderness, the West Coast and KwaZulu-Natal.
According to Riaan Potgieter, chairperson of the Pretoria region, “This was a special occasion, because it was the first postCovid-19 meeting and it was the largest gathering of members on record.”
Gareth Coleman, outgoing general manager of the Kruger National Park, addressed the organisation and provided insights into how the SHR can best provide support to SANParks.
It was announced that during the 2021/22 financial year, the SHR contributed R64.8m to SANParks in cash and in kind.
SANParks staff and scientists offered delegates exclusive behind-the-scenes demonstrations of certain scientific and conservation programmes, including aquatic ecosystems, the tuskers of Kruger, alien vegetation management and the fauna, flora and history of Skukuza.
“Assistance from SANParks helped to ensure that members could reconnect, not only with one another, but with that which makes the KNP special - conservation and community. To this end, members of the local community participated, with a performance by a choir and displays of crafts by local artists and crafters giving impetus to the indaba’s theme of reconnection. The indaba reinforced our sense of purpose, which is to give freely of our time and resources to raise funds, create awareness and supply manpower and equipment to conservation, tourism and environmental education needs within SANParks,” said Potgieter.