News

The 18th Kruger National Park (KNP) Achievement Awards took place Friday 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.

Issued By

Communications & Marketing Department – Kruger National Park.

Media Enquiries

William Mabasa
Acting Head of Communications – SANParks
Tel: 013 735 4363/012 426 5170, cell: 082 807 3919
Email: [email protected]

Reynold Thakhuli
GM: Media, PR and Stakeholder Relations – SANParks
Tel: 012 426 5203; Cell: 073 373 4999
Email: [email protected]

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

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.

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

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