Conservationists honoured at awards ceremony

THE third Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife Excellence Awards evening was held at the Sibiya Casino on Thursday, 14 November where they honoured their staff as well as external organisations and individuals for the efforts in the conservation field over the last year.

The guest speaker was Mpho Mkwana, the chairman of ArcelorMittal South Africa who gave a motivational address.

The recipients of the awards covered the whole of KZN, but many of the awards came Zululand’s way.

Eleven field rangers from Tembe Elephant Park, Ndumo Game Reserve and Ozabeni were recipients of Laurel Wreath Certificates of Meritorious Service. They came under fire while carrying out their duties.

In the Ecotourism Individual award Bumba Bongani Mkhize was rewarded for his knowledge, neatness and enthusiasm when dealing with the public.

Enseleni Nature Reserve was acknowledged as the Protected Area of the Year after scoring a rating of 85% effectiveness which was the highest of all protected areas.

Although the achiever award went to Jeffrey Cooke, the manager of Game Capture, he paid tribute to the whole team who has maintained a high standard in game capture and translocation.

Logistics officer, Sbonelo Gumede received the CEO Award for his high level of enthusiasm which often spills over into weekends or after hours.

Gumede, as part of the Communications Department, is the voice behind many public functions.

Trophy recipients

Internal awards

Best conservation manager – John Crowson (Southern Maloti Drakensberg Park World Heritage Site)

Best field ranger/Magqubu Ntombela – Bhekinkosi Mkhwanazi (Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park)

Best general assistant – Khehla Nzimande (Makhamisa Section, iMfolozi Game Reserve)

Achiever award – Jeffrey Cooke (game capture)

Ecotorism award – Mpila Resort (Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park)

Ecotourism award (individual) – Bumba Bongani Mkhize (Ndumo Resort)

Protected area of the year – Enseleni Nature Reserve

Human resources award – Tessa Khumalo

Infra-structure and special projects – Nduduzi Blessing Sikhakhane (Working for the coast, St Lucia to Ballito)

People and conservation – Nandipa Thobela

Scientific services – Jenny Longmore

CEO Award – Sbonelo Gumede

Office of CEO – Ignatia Khuzwayo

Employee of year – Bhekinkhosi Mkhwanazi (Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park)

External awards

Individual – Olivia Taylor (Maloti Drakensberg Vulture Project)

Group – North Durban Honorary Officers

Corporate – Cheryl Ogilvie (Ndumo Goldfields Community Programme)

Community project – Sunshine Pre-pirmary School, Sodwana Bay

Eco-friendly School – Mkhize Combined School (Giant’s Castle)

Environmental journalist – Larry Bentley (Zululand Observer)