KNP Achievement Awards

[DinkyBird]

.... are happening tonight.

Wonder which camp will win best camp

And who the other winners will be

[Crested Val]

I wonder..........................?

[RosemaryH]

Exciting evening for all involved. I can imagine the buzz....

Can't wait to find out who the winners are

[wildflowergirl]

[DinkyBird]

Scientific Services team

Croc gate

Pafuri Border Camp team

Skukuza team

[Hugh]

Well done to you all

[hilda]

Congratulations and well done to all!

[RosemaryH]

Congrats and Well Done to all

[Goronta]

Well done

[DinkyBird]

Saturday, May 27, 2017

MEDIA RELEASE

KNP AWARDS ITS ACHIEVERS FOR EXCELLENCE

The 18th Kruger National Park (KNP) Achievement Awards took place last night, 26 May 2017 in Skukuza.

“There’s a saying that our achievements are shaped by the strength of the foundations we set, and that the foundation of excellence is built with the quality of your actions and the integrity of your intent. We are all making a contribution to the business of this organization; the only thing that distinguishes each one of us is our individual input and the extent thereof. The KNP Annual Achievement Ceremony is an event wherein we honour employees who excelled in their respective field of work in the past year or over a long period by showing a great deal of determination, productiveness and good attitude to their work, said the KNP Managing Executive, Glenn Phillips.

Awards were given to KNP Staff members who either excelled in the categories of “outstanding in the workplace” and “outstanding service to clients” in the past year or over a long period. Other awards categories given were: “Lifetime Achievement Award”, “Bravery Award”, “Leadership Award”, Ranger Post of the Year”, “Camp of the Year”, “Bush Camp of the Year”, “Department of the Year”, “Entrance Gate of the Year”, “Wilderness Trails Camp of the Year”, “Special Team Effort Award”, “Camp of the Year”, “Appreciation Awards”, Environmental Education Contribution Award and “Managing Executive Special Awards”.

Total SA, which has supported the event since its inception, awarded the “Total SA Top Service Award” for the best performing petrol station in the Park.

All the finalists went through a selection phase based on a set of stringent assessment criteria. Apart from their extra mile achievements, individual nominees had to possess qualities such as independent and progressive thinking, initiative and creativity, a positive approach to work, leadership and ability to interact at all levels regardless of training and skills. The awards for facilities were judged on areas such as overall performance, implementation of various systems, financial performance and management, guest complaints and compliments, compliance to policies and general neatness of the facility.

[Elsa]

My congratulations to all those winning the awards, well done!

[DinkyBird]

Kruger National Park
Achievement Awards Ceremony
2017

Programme

PROGRAMME DIRECTOR:
Mr. Bheki Nxumalo

18:00 – 18:30 Arrival of guests
18:30 – 19:00 Background music as guests are ushered into the main hall.
19:00 – Programme starts

Band introduction –

1. WELCOME AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT- Mr. William Mabasa - Acting Head of Communications - SANParks

ENTERTAINMENT

2. KEYNOTE ADDRESS: Mr. Glenn Phillips, Managing Executive: KNP


3. TOTAL SOUTH AFRICA TOP SERVICE AWARDS: Ms. Nyameka Makonya GM: Strategy - Total SA

ENTERTAINMENT

STARTER SERVED

4. PRESENTATION OF KRUGER NATIONAL PARK AWARDS

4.1. CONSERVATION MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT
(ME, KNP Mr. Glenn Phillips and Dr Freek Venter GM: Conservation Management)

Category: Outstanding Service in the Workplace
• Lodric Baloyi
• Januario Fernandes
• Dr. Edward Riddell
• Dr. Marisa Coetzee
• Michele Hofmeyr

4.2. TECHNICAL SERVICES DEPARMENT
(ME, KNP Mr. Glenn Phillips and Mr. Blake Schraader GM: Technical Services)

Category: Outstanding Service in the Workplace
• Knox Sumbani
• Piet Van Wyk
• Clement Gwarada
• Grievance Segodi
• Nic Barnard
• Joel Mkhabela
• Mechanical Section

4.3. FINANCE DEPARTMENT
(ME Mr. Glenn Phillips and Mr. Krawitz Dennison GM: Finance Department)

Category: Outstanding Service in the Workplace
• Annah Mlangeni
• Ionia Du Plessis
• Nqaba Metiso


4.4. SCIENTIFIC SERVICES DEPARTMENT (ME Mr. Glenn Phillips and
Mr. Danie Pienaar - Scientific Services Department)

Category: Outstanding Service in the Workplace
• Dr. Danny Govender
• Chenay Simms
• Veld Condition Assessment Team

4.5. HUMAN CAPITAL DEPARTMENT
(ME Mr. Glenn Phillips and Mr Simon Marutha

Category: Outstanding Service in the Workplace
• Frank Mkhabela
• Millicent Bali


4.6. VETERINARY WILDLIFE SERVICES

(Dr. Markus Hofmeyr)
Category: Outstanding Service in the Workplace
• Ben Fanyana Baloyi

4.7. COMMUNCATIONS AND MARKETING
(ME Mr. Glenn Phillips and Mr. William Mabasa, Acting Head: Communications; SANParks)

Category: Outstanding Service in the Workplace
• Sinna Mphatse
• Lerato Mathole

4.8. PEOPLE AND CONSERVATION
(ME Mr. Glenn Phillips and Ms. Helen Mmethi, GM: People & Conservation).

Category: Outstanding Service in the Workplace
• Matimba Maluleke
• Rirhandzu Baloi
• Lindiwe Chuma
• Nkateko Chauke
• Riana Harmse

4.9. RANGER SERVICES

(ME Mr. Glenn Phillips and Chief Ranger Mr. Nicholas Funda)

Category: Outstanding Service in the Workplace
o Doctor Manganye
o Magezi Freddy Chauke
o Verah Mashele
o Sipho Zitha
o Edward Machete
o Promise Lusenga
o Robert Bryden
o Edward Xibhurhi Masambu
o Marques Mulhovu
o Bangani Bethuel Makwakwa
o Hanyi Samuel Ndlovu
o Lucky Lexon Ndlovu
o Pikani Jeoffrey Kubayi
o Selby Marangrang Magopane
o Thulani Hlongo
o Mkhacani Daniel Chavalala
o Gezani Thomas Shivambu
o Gabriel Mobe
o Solly Mazibila


4.10. MARULA REGION
(ME Mr. Glen Phillips and Ms. Lucy Nhlapo RGM: Marula Region)

Category: Outstanding Service in the Workplace
• Thomas Ngwenya
• Jackson Ngobeni
• Aita Mokgane
• Thoko Shakoane
• Confidence Ndlovu
• Nosipho Mkhize


Category: Outstanding Service to Tourists/ Customers/ Clients
o Johannes Ndzhovela
o Dorcus Nxumalo
o Thabelo Mphaho
o Elias Chauke
o Faith Mkonyeni
o Edward Ndlovu
o Phindile Mathebula
o Jacob Mdlovu
o Dominique Khoza


4.11. NXANATSENI REGION
(ME Mr Glenn Phillips and Mr. Reuben Ngwenya RGM: Nxanatseni Region)

Category: Outstanding Service in the Workplace
o Susan Mmola
o Bassie Marivate
o Alpheus Chauke
o Alfred Nelukalo
o Azwinndini Ramashia
o Elina Mona
o Rodgers Hobyane
o Carel Nkuna
o Solly Ramulongo
o Samuel Mathebula
o Tinyiko Baloyi

Category: Outstanding Service to Tourists/ Customers/ Clients
o Sydwell Shirinda
o Michael Chauke
o Titus Nkuna
o Patrick Mugwedi
o Lerato Khoza


ENTERTAINMENT

MAIN COURSE SERVED
AWARDS CONTINUE

4.12. MANAGING EXECUTIVE SPECIAL AWARDS
(ME: Mr. Glen Phillips and Risk Coordinator- Mr Danny Thwala, Risk Coordinator)

• South African Air Force Aerospace Control Officer
• Elson Ntibane (Bushman Wilderness Trails)
• Dr. Freek Venter

4.13. SPECIAL TEAM EFFORT AWARD
ME, KNP – Mr Glenn Phillips & GM: Media, PR & Stakeholder Relations SANParks - Mr Reynold Thakhuli)

• Special Rangers & Air Services
• Satara Rangers

4.14. DEPARTMENT OF THE YEAR
Mr Glenn Phillips, ME KNP
(GM, Scientific Services – Mr Danie Pienaar & team to the stage)

• Scientific Services

4.15. CAMP OF THE YEAR
ME, KNP Mr Glenn Phillips
(RGM Marula – Ms Lucy Nhlapo & team to the stage)

• Skukuza Rest Camp

4.16. WILDERNESS TRAILS CAMP OF THE YEAR
Mr. Glenn Phillips
(RGM Marula – Lucy Nhlapo & team to the stage)

• Sweni Trails Camp

4.17. BUSH CAMP OF THE YEAR
ME KNP – Mr Glenn Phillips
(RGM Nxanatseni Reuben Ngwenya & team to the stage)

• Pafuri Border Camp

4.18. RANGER POST OF THE YEAR
ME KNP – Mr Glenn Phillips
(Chief Ranger - Nicholus Funda & team to the stage)

• Nwanetsi Ranger Post

4.19. ENTRANCE GATE OF THE YEAR
ME KNP – Mr Glenn Phillips
(RGM Marula – Lucy Nhlapo & team to the stage)

• Crocodile Bridge

4.20 . ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION CONTRIBUTION AWARD
ME KNP – Mr Glenn Phillips (GM: People & Conservation, Ms. Helen Mmethi to the stage)

 Mlilo Primary School
 Nxanguyintshwa Primary School
 Masoyi Home Based Care Project

Entertainment

DESSERT SERVED

4.21. LEADERSHIP AWARD
Mr Glenn Phillips & Mr Danny Twala – Risk Coordinator

• Winslow Ntlhamu

4.22. BRAVERY AWARD
Mr. Glenn Phillips, Mr Nicholus Funda & Ms Karin McDulling – SA Airlink
In recognition of your bravery for reacting quickly when protecting a fellow colleague from being attacked by a leopard during an all-night standing patrol along the Letaba River in July 2016 in the Kruger National Park.
• Michael Baloyi – Field Ranger from Phalaborwa

4.23. APPRECIATION AWARDS
ME KNP – Mr Glenn Phillips

• Capt. Francios Vermaak
For his continued effort in ensuring that *** poaching cases are properly investigated, well presented and prosecuted with a high percentage of conviction and stiff sentences imposed in both District and Regional Courts.

• Mr Grant Coleman
In appreciation for his outstanding service towards the Kruger National Park’s K9 (Canine) Centre through his exceptional dedication in caring, maintaining and continuously sourcing funding for the Centre.

• Team Warburgia
In appreciation for their commitment and unfailing determination to succeed in the propagation of the endangered Pepperbark Tree; thus enabling the distribution of the plant to local communities and Traditional Health Practitioners, in turn, reducing illegal harvesting from the Kruger National Park.

• Inkomati- Usuthu Catchment Management Agency & Crocodile Catchment Operations Committee
In appreciation for the teams’ work and cooperation in the past years wherein benefits of the CROCOC’s work allowed both the Crocodile and Sabie Rivers to keep flowing during the most extreme drought in the region.

• RESILIM-O
In appreciation of the work done by the RESILIM-O programme in the provision of river management tools and capacity wherein shift water demands from the Blyde Dam to the De Hoop Dam was made possible allowing the Olifants River to keep flowing into the Kruger National Park and beyond.

• Department of Water & Sanitation
In appreciation of the work done during the severe drought period by the Department of Water & Sanitation towards the implementation of preliminary ecological reserve flow for the Luvuvhu River which could have posed a threat to the Makuleke Ramsar Wetlands thus affecting Kruger National Park.

• Mr Johan van Heerden
In appreciation of your continued support and commitment towards the upgrade of the Letaba Elephant Hall and ensuring the project was completed on time

• Mr Nico Kleyn
In appreciation of your continued support and commitment to the upgrade of the Letaba Elephant Hall and ensuring the project was completed within the allocated timeframe regardless of the tight timelines.

• Jock Environmental Monitoring Unit (JEMU)
In appreciation of the Jock Environmental Monitoring Unit (JEMU) for their assistance in monitoring their Jock Safari Concession and surrounding areas in order to supply Section and Regional Rangers with accurate up to date information on suspicious activity and environmental related issues.

• Dr Carlos Lopes Pereira
In appreciation of your excellence in Strategic Environmental Protection and law Enforcement interventions and the realization that Wildlife and Nature are under serious threat from overexploitation due to lack of awareness, poverty and activity of crime syndicates

• Orlando Chauke – (Capricorn Voice)
In recognition of his diverse style in the writing of Kruger National Park stories with particular focus on the tourism and conservation developments in the northern part of the Park. Orlando has over the years continued to produce positive articles for the Park and has also helped in the publicizing of the KNP products which are less known to the local communities.

• Slindelo Masikane – (Jacaranda FM)
In recognition of her constant responsible coverage of conservation issues especially the anti-poaching efforts in the KNP; which continues to stimulate an interest from the public.


4.24. LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
ME KNP – Mr Glenn Phillips, Mr Blake Schraader – GM: Technical Services & Karin McDulling – SA Airlink

• On 17 May 1971, the first two black rhinos were reintroduced to the park since their kind became extinct in the 1940s.

• Anthrax broke out in the northern areas of the park during September and October 1971. The small population of roan antelope was nearly wiped out. Kudu were also very badly affected.

• On 1 February 1972 Commercial Airways commenced a daily air service from Johannesburg's Rand Airport to Skukuza.

• Despite some apprehension, the National Parks Board approved the institution of wilderness trails in the park in June 1977. The first wilderness trail (Wolhuter) was opened in July 1978 near Malelane in the south of the park. It proved to be very popular and more trails were opened soon afterwards. The Olifants Trail opened in November 1979, followed by Nyalaland (August 1980) and Bushman (August 1983)

• By 1980, it was becoming clear that the National Parks Board needed to take a hard look at the racial discrimination against visitors from different race groups.

• The park's tourist infrastructure was significantly expanded and modernized during the Eighties. Starting in 1983, ten new camps (Jock of the Bushveld, Berg-en-Dal, Biyamiti, Talamati, Roodewal, Shimuwini, Boulders, Mopani, Bateleur and Sirheni) were built over the following decade.

• Apart from Berg-en-Dal and Mopani, these new camps were relatively small. Existing camps were modernized and expanded. New tar roads were also built between Skukuza and Malelane Gate, between Lower-Sabie and Tshokwane Picnic Spot and between Phalaborwa Gate and Mooiplaas Picnic Spot. The Doispane road between Skukuza and the present Phabeni Gate was also tarred.

• In the mix of all these happenings, a gentle giant arrived with nothing else in mind, but to give selfless service to the Kruger National Park.

o He joined the organization on 19 July 1971 as a General Worker in Technical Services as part of the building team constructing bungalows in Satara Rest camp. (1971 – 1977)

o In 1977, after completion of the building project he was assigned to a team responsible for the plumbing installations in camps such as Shingwedzi, Roodewal, Phalaborwa Gate, Crocodile Bridge, and Golden Gate Highlands National Park in the Easter part of the Free State. This work he continued to execute with due diligence and skills until 1998.

o In 1998, he was assigned to the Skukuza Camp maintenance team wherein he continued to serve the camp with distinction until to date where his main duties include general maintenance and plumbing works.

o The anticipated date for his retirement is 31 October 2017 after a successful 46 years of service.

We congratulate Mr Ananias Jamie Mulhovo for his lifelong commitment to the iconic Kruger National Park and wish him a restful time during his retirement.

• Ananias Jamie Mulhovo (Technical Services Department)


5. VOTE OF THANKS: Mr. Reynold Thakhuli
GM: Media, PR and Stakeholder Relations: SANParks.


End of the Programme

[DinkyBird]

Ananias Jamie Mulhovo (middle) received the Lifetime Achievement Award. Congratulating him are SA Airlink Skukuza Airport Manager - Karen Mc Dulling, Ananias’s partner and KNP Managing Executive – Glenn Phillips

[DinkyBird]

Bravery award went to Ranger Michael Baloyi at Phalaborwa Section
With him are KNP Chief Ranger - Nicholus Funda, SA Airlink’s Ms Karen Mc Dulling, Michael’s partner and KNP Managing Executive, Glenn Phillips

Skukuza Rest Camp received the Camp of the Year award
Skukuza Staff members: Conference Coordinator – Nosipho Mkize, Receptionist - Nomuso Shandu, Housekeeper - Audrey Mbowane, General Worker – Aita Mokgane, Skukuza Camp Technical Services team – Veli Ngwenya and Anthony Jones, Marula Region Housing Officer – Britz Marumo and Skukuza Hospitality Services Manager, Phuti Namethe.

Bush Camp of the Year went to Pafuri Border Camp
Punda Maria and Pafuri Border Camp staff members: Punda Maria Hospitality Services Manager, Garth Holt, Receptionist - Michael Chauke, Nxanatseni Regional General Manager- Reuben Ngwenya (back), Head Guide at Pafuri Border Camp - Carel Nkuna, Front Office Manager - Faith Nkuna, Seargent Chabalala – Pafuri Section, Virginia Hut Attendant - Tinyiko Baloyi Trade Worker - Solly Ramulongo Duty Manager Punda Maria - Sydwell Shirinda

Wilderness Trails Camp of the Year went to Sweni
Marula Regional Manager – Lucy Nhlapo, Trails Assistant – Jacob Mdlovu, Regional Activities Coordinator – van Rooi Moreku and Managing Executive, Glenn Phillips.

Entrance Gate of the Year went to Crocodile Bridge Gate
Marula Regional General Manager - Ms Lucy Nhlapo, Crocodile Bridge Camp Hospitality Services Manager – Steven Nel and KNP Managing Executive, Mr Glenn Phillips.

[DinkyBird]

Ranger Post of the Year went to N’wanetsi Section
Chief Ranger - Nicholus Funda, N’wanetsi Section Ranger – Robert Bryden with one of his field rangers and the Managing Executive, Glenn Phillips

Department of the Year went to Scientific Services
KNP Managing Executive - Glenn Phillips, Acting Senior General Manager: Scientific Services – Dr Izak Smit, SANParks Acting Managing Executive: Conservation Services – Danie Pienaar, Abiotic Scientist – Tertia Strydom, Invansion Ecology Scientist – Dr Llewellyn Foxcroft (at the back), Disease Ecology Scientist – Dr Danny Govender and GIS Analyst - Chenay Simms

Special Team Effort Awards went to teams under Ranger Services as follows:

• Special Rangers and Air Services Sections
• Satara Rangers

Photo 9: Special Team Effort Awards went to teams under Ranger Services as follows:

• Special Rangers and Air Services Sections
• Satara Rangers

Total SA top service for best performing petrol station went to Lower Sabie
Lower Sabie staff members with their Regional General Manager: Marula - Lucy Nhlapo receive the award from Total SA General Manager: Strategy – Nyameka Makonya

Environmental Education Contribution award went to three teams:

• Mlilo Primary School

• Nxanguyintshwa Primary School

• Masoyi Home Based Care Project

Leadership award went to Letaba Camp Duty Manager, Winslow Ntlhamu