Thuleka is a 37-year old mother and has been employed at the Eastern Cape Parks & Tourism Agency since 2007. Her professional history includes her four-year position as a Field Ranger at Fort Fordyce Nature Reserve, before enrolling at the Southern African Wildlife College (SAWC) where she attained an Advanecd Certificate in Nature Conservation in 2010.
In 2011, Thuleka was appointed as Section Ranger in a supervisor role based in Baviaanskloof, and in 2014 she was transferred to Island Nature Reserve. She started working at ECPTA as Section Ranger nine years ago and was appointed as Acting Reserve Manager for several periods. She has worked sincerely and passionately to achieve the set targets for the reserve and bring stability to the natural environment in which she works.
A diligent employee, Thuleka was recognised with the Employee of the Year award and in 2015 she received the Woman of the Year award. In 2017, after 10 years with the ECPTA, she achieved her Long-Term Service award, and in 2018 she received a leadership award for the contribution she has added to the organisation.