Albert Machaba leaves Kruger National Park

[Lesego]

Albert Machaba leaves Kruger National Park

The Regional Ranger in the north of Nxanatseni region of the Kruger National Park (KNP) Albert Machaba said farewell to the staff of the KNP on 10 December 2016 during his farewell function.

“The work of a ranger requires a team effort, nerves of steel and to some extent, support from both internal and external stakeholders. Through changes in terms of your work environment, you should expect that you will at times come under tremendous pressure. Everybody expects nothing but honour and integrity from you as you protect the wildlife in this sacred place called the Kruger National Park. Please keep abreast of conservation issues, stay on your toes, and represent us well”, he said to the fellow Ranger colleagues during the event, which took place at the Shingwedzi hangar.

Machaba served 20 years with South African National Parks (SANParks) as Regional Ranger for various ranger sections of the KNP under Conservation Services (now referred to as Ranger Services).

In his address on behalf of SANParks Management, the KNP Managing Executive, Glenn Phillips thanked Machaba for his contribution to conservation in the KNP.

“We thank him for his efforts and hard work spanning over the two decades, and through his tenure he served as a beacon by raising aspirations of his peers. We wish him well with his retirement and hope that we will still see him in his unofficial and sometimes official visits,” he commented.

Under Ranger Services, the KNP is divided into 22 ranger sections, each section managed by a Section Ranger who is assisted by a group of field rangers. Over and above these 22 sections, there are Regional Rangers (with Albert Machaba one of them) who manage a number of ranger sections including the Environmental Crime Investigations, Special Operations and Air Services Units.

Editor’s Note:
Albert Machaba graduated from Qwaka Agricultural College in KZN with a diploma in Nature Conservation in 1975. His working career began the same year at the then Former Homeland Venda government under the Department of Agriculture and Forestry. Machaba moved ranks as he started as Junior, Senior, then Principal Conservation Officer and eventually Acting Assistant Director. His duties at the Department involved working with communities on wildlife crime awareness issues such as subsistence poaching.

In 1996, he applied for a Regional Ranger position in the KNP, scooped the job and started working based at Punda Maria. This made him the first black person to hold such a senior position in the Park; considering the way things were at the time.

Machaba later moved to the central part of the Park in the same position, was based at Satara wherein he worked until 2005. He then requested to move back in the far north of the Park based at Shingwedzi so he could work closer to his hometown Thohoyandou and worked there until retirement.

He has played an instrumental role in the advancement of women in conservation and under his leadership; two women became section rangers in the far northern part of the Park and continue to make him proud with their hard work.

Issued by:
South African National Parks: Kruger National Park - Communications & Marketing Department

Media Enquiries:
William Mabasa
SANParks Acting Head of Communications
Tel: 012 426 5170, cell: 082 807 3919
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Ike Phaahla
SANParks Media Specialist
Tel: 012 426 5315; Cell: 083 673 6974
E-mail: [email protected]

[Elsa]

Thanks for your dedication and tremendous work for the park over the years Albert and may I wish you a very happy retirement.