SKUKUZA – It’s not often that tourism students get first-hand experience in the running of one of the country’s biggest tourism destinations. However, pupils from communities bordering the park were treated to an all-expenses-paid trip last week, courtesy of the KNP, SANParks Corporate Social Investment, the provincial Department of Education and Total SA.
The Walk and Learn on the Wildside programme exposes grade 10 and 11 pupils taking tourism as a subject to conservation and tourism-related careers.
It was launched in September 2008 and is held annually in March and September, coinciding with National SANParks Week.
A total of 400 pupils from the Ehlanzeni, Bohlabela, Mopani and Vhembe districts spent a night in the park and enjoyed sunset drives, presentations, site visits and a bush braai.
Among them were pupils of Mambane Secondary School in Naas and Oasis College in Ngodini near White River, who visited the KNP last Sunday.
Various tertiary institutions such as Tswane University of Technology and Inkangala TVET College, as well as SANParks, informed pupils about careers in the tourism and hospitality industry and the requirements thereof.
Presentations were also lots of fun as they were taught about different table settings, restaurant etiquette and had delicious meals at the Cattle Baron restaurant to put what they learnt into practice.
“The waitresses and waiters gave us excellent service. Compliments to the chef for the delicious meals,” said Debrah Mpila from Oasis College.
During a sunset game drive pupils learned about the various habits of the animals, and sighted some of the Big 5, including a few of the endangered rhino.
They also got a glimpse of how the different workstations, such as reception, housekeeping and rooms, operate.
After all the learning and fun, each school had to do a presentation on the entire experience and they were judged on their performance.
Apart from the joy of being away from school for a day, the children were grateful for being chosen to partake in such an experience and to represent their schools.
“Our experience here at the Kruger National Park was adventurous and useful because we got a chance to communicate and learn about careers in tourism. We also got a chance to socialise and communicate with pupils from other schools and other backgrounds. Our experience was wonderful and we are going to share it with our fellow brothers and sisters at school,” said Simphiwe Khoza, a pupil from Mambane Secondary School.
KNP management concluded its special SANParks Week activities with a visit to Shongwe Hospital on Friday. Keep an eye on this week’s Corridor Gazette to find out how much the kids in hospital enjoyed this rare treat.
