Grassroots project brings hope
Field ranger cadets ready
This is not just about job creation: this is about instilling in the community a love for conservation. This represents a total shift from how things were done in the past.
So said Eastern Cape Parks and Tourism Agency (ECPTA) CEO Vuyani Dayimani at the passing-out parade for a cohort of field ranger cadets at PJ Olivier High School in Makhanda on September 18.
Over the past six weeks, 45 young people selected from rural communities that share comanaging rights with ECPTA for its 15 provincial nature reserves spread across the Eastern Cape have been based at the Thomas Baines Reserve Education Centre.
There, they have been introduced to the craft, science and ethics of being a wildlife custodian.
The pilot initiative was undertaken by ECPTA to help address youth development and unemployment.
The first group in the ECPTA’s new programme were among 716 hopefuls, and the 45 were selected through a rigorous screening process. Applicants needed to be aged 18-35.
“Fitness, no criminal record and a love of the environment were among the criteria,” said Dayimani.
“It’s a challenging environment and without passion, they wouldn’t make it. These are the best young men and women for the job.”
The cadets are ECPTA’s pool for selecting new trainee rangers, Dayimani said.
“These young people are well prepared and we will be absorbing many of them into the system.”
The youths were trained to be a resource for provincial reserves including Mkhambathi, Dwesa-Cwebe, Hluleka, Silaka, Great Fish, Thomas Baines, Tsolwana, East London Coast and Ongeluksnek. ECPTA-managed nature reserves are situated across the province, from Mthatha to Port St Johns, Gqeberha, East London, Matatiele and Komani.
The training in the basics of field ranging and management of flora and fauna was done in partnership with the Southern African Wildlife College.
Dayimani said the six-week programme would, in future, also serve as a refresher for veteran rangers.