iSimangaliso graduates make their mark
The 332 000ha park has some 620 000 people living on its bounderies.
APART from the nature conservation aspect of its work, the iSimangaliso Wetland Park is having a profound impact on the upliftment of their neighbouring communities.
The 332 000ha park has some 620 000 people living on its bounderies, of which 57 have received support from iSimangaliso’s Higher Education Access Programme to date, with 15 of these already having graduated.
Bronwyn James, an iSimangaliso Senior Manager, said: ‘As part of iSimangaliso’s drive to develop local skills for tomorrow’s CEOs and park managers, we are thrilled with the outstanding successes of this programme and the positive impact it has had on the lives of our young neighbours.
‘iSimangaliso not only provides financial support to its students; through its contracted partnership with the Rural Education Access Programme (REAP), the programme also provides academic and pyscho-social support to the students, which has proven invaluable.’
According to Nick Swan, Technical Officer for the Higher Education Access Programme, iSimangaliso offers students opportunities beyond the academic.
‘Each year all students are called to participate in an annual workshop, where iSimangaliso staff present information on the park, and students participate in creative and interactive activities.’
Another programme-enriching component is the two-week, work-based experience for students beyond their first study year, designed to assist in bridging the tertiary study to the world of work.
Students normally spend one week with iSimangaliso staff and one week with tour operators who operate in the park.
As far as possible, the experience is related to the student’s study area.
The programme was started in 2010 with funding from the Andrew Murray Trust.
Since then, it has been funded through iSimangaliso’s Global Environment Programme, supporting study in courses related to conservation and tourism, such as life sciences, environmental sciences, commerce, accounting, tourism, hospitality, computer science, cultural and heritage tourism, journalism, civil engineering, town and regional planning and law.
Eligible students must have secured a place to study in a tertiary education facility, be a member of iSimangaliso’s neighbouring communities, and have an interest in pursuing a career in conservation and tourism.
The number of students has grown from 10 in 2010, to 27 in 2011, 45 in 2012, 48 in 2013 and 47 this year.
