Ayaka is a name given by my father meaning “to build”. I was born in Umtata in the old Transkei and bred in East London. I completed my Junior as well as my High school grades in Cambridge Junior and High school respectively. It is during these years that I discovered my passion for biology and life science and I thus constantly received accolades for outstanding results in these subjects. I then decided to follow this passion at Tertiary level and have since attained my Honours degree and am currently on course to completing my Masters.
I’m concurrently working at Eastern Cape Parks and Tourism Agency and started my journey here 9 years ago as a Nature Conservator where in 2012, 2015 and 2018 I was (nominated/selected) as an Acting Reserve Manager until I was officially placed as a Reserve Manger. My passions also fall outside the confines of work, I play squash as a hobby and my husband and I have recently founded a ministry Lost and Found Fellowship which is targeted at the poorest of the poor.