Tourism learners explore the KNP
For many children from impoverished families living on the border of the Kruger National Park (KNP), going to the park is an unattainable dream.
However, that dream was made possible by an initiative from KNP in a project called ‘Walk and Learn on the wild side’. A total of 200 learners from ten schools in the Mopani and Vhembe districts were invited to be part of the life-changing experience of spending a night in the park. According to Jeremiah Machavi, a social ecologist in the park, the programme aims to support conservation, eco-tourism,
and hospitality courses by giving grades 10 and 11 learners that take tourism as a subject at school, the to learn more about the practical side of tourism in the park.
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“Our aim is to give every learner an opportunity to experience nature, as well as expose them to potential tourism activities that they are likely to encounter if they continue with tourism as a career,” explained Machavi. He said their ultimate goal was to lure young people into the industry. “As management, we view these learners as the future managers that will help continue the existence of the park in the years to come,” he said.
According to him, the programme, presented twice a year, concentrates on learners that live near the KNP. “We are working in conjunction with the Department of Education to bring them into the park. Once they are here, they are taken through various workstations and show the practical side of how the tourism industry works,” he said. Interviewed after the programme, learners were visibly thrilled. They thanked the management for affording them an opportunity to be in the park. “I wish I could come here often; I like the peace and tranquility of the environment, I cannot wait to get home to tell everybody about it,” said Robert Mulaudzi from Kotama Secondary School.
