In this article the College's Rural Initiatives for a Sustainable Environment (RISE) Unit’s manager Sboniso Phakathi shares his thoughts on the future of youth in conservation. This is the first instalment of a two-part article series which explores the very real challenges the youth of today are facing from a conservation point of view. It...Read More
After leaving school early due to circumstances at home and then trying to find his feet, Excellent Mbuso Mhangane, known to many at the Southern African Wildlife College as Mbuso, always felt he was capable of more. A true jack of all trades, he had tried his hand at various things from carpentry, windscreen fitting,...Read More
By John MakgokaOn 3 October 2022, the Field Ranger Advanced Course started at Bahnine National Park (BNP) in Mozambique. The management team at the park were hospitable and we were looking forward to begin training. Thirty current rangers attended the course in total. The first group consisted of 16 people and the second 14 with...Read More
By Altin Gysman – Head: Protected Area Integrity/African Field Ranger Training ServicesThe fifth Braveheart Ranger Leadership Development Course, which was the last course for 2022, concluded with great success. Eighteen (18) students from different areas/organisations including Mpumalanga Tourism Parks Agency (MPTA), Waterberg and Greater Kruger Environmental Protection Foundation (GKEPF) were represented during the three-week course. ...Read More
Following the tragic and senseless murder of Anton Mzimba on Tuesday 26 July 2022, we are committed to honouring his life and the work he did as a true wildlife warrior. Anton was Head of Timbavati Rangers Services, technical advisor to Global Conservation Corps (GCC) and a proud past student and friend of the College.The...Read More
Dates: 24 JANUARY 2022 – 4 MARCH 2022 On 24 January 2022, we arrived at Zinave National Park (Mozambique), after a very gruelling basic field ranger selection. Upon arrival we were formally introduced to the Mozambican staff members Chef Estevo Chiure, Chef Samuel Matepsa, and Chef Helder and to the two South African instructors from...Read More
DATE 18 OCT 2021- 26 NOV 2021On our arrival on Sunday 18 October 2021, Corporal Mbuso took us to our place of rest and welcomed us. This happened to be “Tents”, which most of us were not expecting, thinking we would be staying in proper rooms. We left our luggage and went straight to the...Read More
We started the course on 25 April 2021 which was completed on 07 May 2021. We were four male students from various nature reserves. Two of us came from Thanda Private Game Reserve, one from Klaserie Private Nature Reserve, and one of us was from the SAWC. We have learnt different operational tactics in the...Read More
A new leader steps up to manage the training of aspirant and seasoned field rangers The Southern African Wildlife College extends a very warm welcome to Mr. Altin Gysman, the new head of its Protected Area Integrity Department, which includes its African Field Ranger Training Services Unit, its K9 Unit and its Aerial Support unit....Read More
A new ranger training curriculum being piloted in South Africa thinks it could… “Being in nature humbles and rewards us on a daily basis, but it also demands that we give a lot,” says ranger Billy Moumakoe. He’s on a short break, somewhere along the fenceline of Pilanesberg National Park in South Africa’s North West...Read More
