By Fortunate Mathonsi, Christopher Kafoteka & Kudakwashe Musengi
The Student Administration and Programme Support (SPS) department has experienced a tremendous level of activity during the first quarter as we welcomed our long-course students to the campus. The team worked diligently to ensure prompt registrations, preventing any loss of valuable classroom time. To date, 126 students have been successfully registered—comprising 37 females and 89 males—across our various programmes.
This year’s intake is particularly exciting due to its incredible diversity. We have welcomed 29 students enrolled in the National Certificate: Natural Resource Management: Terrestrial (NQF Level 5) programme, 21 students pursuing the Advanced Certificate in Nature Conservation: Trans-Frontier Conservation Management (NQF Level 6), and our pioneering cohort of students enrolled in the fully accredited Diploma in Applied Natural Resource Management. These learners represent a wide regional footprint, arriving from Namibia, Malawi, South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Zambia, and representing vital organisations such as South African National Parks (SANParks), the Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency (MTPA), African Parks, Zambia’s Department of National Parks and Wildlife, and Namibia’s Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism.
Acknowledging Service
Amidst the busy start to the year, the SPS department bid a heartfelt farewell to Grace Masuku following her resignation as Academic Administrator. Affectionately known as “Mama Grace,” she has been a valued pillar of the College since 1994, contributing 25 years of dedicated service across several departments. While her departure is deeply felt, we extend our sincere appreciation for her unwavering commitment and wish her every success in her new role with the Department of Health.
Occupational Conservation Programmes: 2026 Progress
The Occupational Programmes Pillar has entered 2026 with great progress and renewed academic energy. The year began smoothly with the early allocation of Semester 1 facilitators and the rollout of the NQF Level 5 programme calendar.
Learning delivery is well underway. Despite initial study visa delays affecting several of our Namibian and Zambian learners, coordinated efforts with our partner organisations ensured that all 29 students had successfully arrived on campus by February. The cohort is making excellent academic progress, having already completed 60% of their Semester 1 modules, including Communication Skills, Apply Workplace Communication, and Philosophy and Ethics of Conservation. The remaining modules are firmly on track for completion by April. To strengthen student governance, interim student representatives have also been actively appointed.
Beyond the classroom, several strategic stakeholder engagements have defined the first two months of the year. In early February, a Workplace Meeting with SANParks (Kruger National Park) confirmed mentor allocations and addressed placement solutions. Additionally, a crucial meeting with the Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO) Quality Assurance team advanced the certification process for the Eco Ranger Programme, ahead of a formal delegation visit scheduled for March.
Building on this early momentum, the upcoming months promise continued acceleration, with the implementation of the Assessor Course, the delivery of additional outcomes-based learning workshops, and preparations for the 2026 Youth Access: Conservation Bridging Programme set to launch in June.
Advanced Certificate in Nature Conservation: Module Highlights
Our NQF Level 6 students have immersed themselves in a series of engaging modules designed to deepen their understanding of complex environmental responsibilities.
Their academic journey began with Biodiversity Management, where students explored the richness of life within ecosystems. Through discussions, case studies, and practical examples, the cohort developed a deeper appreciation for the delicate balance that sustains natural habitats and the vital role practitioners play in safeguarding them.
Building on this foundation, the students progressed into Environmental Development, a module that challenges them to think critically about the friction between development and environmental sustainability. The course encourages learners to examine how communities, governments, and planners can collaborate to ensure that initiatives respect ecological limits while still meeting human needs.
Currently, the cohort is expanding its technical capabilities through the GIS and Land Use Planning module. By being introduced to powerful mapping and spatial analysis tools, students are learning how to interpret and visualise spatial data. These crucial practical skills will allow them to reveal landscape patterns, guide informed decision-making, and contribute meaningfully to sustainable land management in their future careers.