By Kopano Dibakwane & Lwazi Raul-Shongwe
Being a ranger has never been an easy job, it need to be a calling and have love over it. Over 2 200 Honorary Rangers celebrated 60 years anniversary of volunteering for the SANParks (South African National Parks).
According to SANParks Communication Officer, JP Louw said , volunteers are based in 31 regions around the country and they work in all 20 national parks.
Louw said that the Honorary Volunteers organisation was started in 1964, providing strategic assistance to SANParks, and its membership was formalised into the Association of Honorary Rangers with 301 founding members in 1987.
The National Chairperson of the Honorary Volunteers Organisation, Paul Colditz, said the dedication of the volunteers is born out of a deep love for nature and the country’s natural heritage.
“ They work with a commitment that is inspiring and a privilege to experience,” said Colditz.
The members have reportedly contributed an average of over 285 000 volunteer hours each year, with a total of over 2 million hours, since 2016. It is also reported that the approximate value of volunteer hours and asset contributions to SANParks is estimated to have exceeded R515 million over the last 8 years.
The volunteer duties are said to have been initially intended to assist rangers with physical tasks in the parks, but the scope has broadened to include fundraising, education, and support for rangers and K-9 units. The major share of funds raised has been reportedly allocated to conservation, ranger support and anti-poaching initiatives, as identified by SANParks.
The Chief Executive Officer(CEO) of SANParks Honorary Rangers, Jimmy Telle, said the mission of the SANParks Honorary Rangers is to support SANParks to develop, expand, manage and promote a system of sustainable national parks that represents biodiversity and heritage assets.
“ This is achieved by the strong working relationship between SANParks and the SANParks Honorary Rangers, enhanced further by the passion of volunteer members,” said Telle.
According to Louw, several commemorative events and fundraising campaigns are planned during 2024, culminating in a week of festivities at the National Indaba in the Garden Route National Park between 9th and 14th September 2024.
The events will reportedly allow members of the public and businesses to support and actively participate in conservation projects in South Africa’s national parks through donations, sponsorship, or attendance at events.
