Zululand resorts scoop major awards
ZULULAND resorts won all four categories in the Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife Excellence awards at a gala dinner in Pietermaritzburg last Friday evening.
Ntshondwe Resort in the Ithala Game Reserve was named the Best Small Camp Site’, while the Best Major Camp Site award went to the Cape Vidal Resort in the iSimangaliso Wetland Park.
In the resort categories, Sodwana Bay in the iSimangaliso Wetland Park and Mpila in the HluhluweiMfolozi Park were recognised as the best small and major resorts respectively.
The protected area of the year award went to the uKhahlamba Drakensberg Park.
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Recognising excellence in the field of conservation, the best field ranger (Magqubu Ntombela Award) went to Thulani
Zulu of the St
Lucia anti-poaching unit, and the Best Conservation Manager was Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park’s Khetha Amos Tembe.
Roger Porter was the welldeserved recipient of the Lifetime Achiever Award for his 39 years in conservation at various reserves before moving to Queen Elizabeth Park.
Other individuals recognised on the evening were Skhumbuzo Kubheka (a fresh water ecologist), who received the Scientific Services Award, Alson Mnikathi (Kamberg) the General Assistant Award. with the Ecotourism Operations Award going to Prisca Mbatha, a receptionist at the Ntshondwe Resort in the Ithala Game Reserve.
Head office awards went to Bongiwe Sefolo (human resource officer), Kerry Brokensha (area accountant) and the CEO Award to Frik Lemmer, Officer-in-charge, Weenen Nature Reserve. Skhumbuzo Kubheka was named the Employee of the Year. An external award for environmental Journalist of the Year went to Cyril Siphiwe Mnguni of the SABC.