News

Girls from local schools in Knysna look forward every year to a careers day in conservation organised by SANParks. This after People & Conservation Officer, Nondumiso Mgwenya upped environmental education initiatives to focus on girl children three years ago.

This year, an internal women’s forum supported the initiative as part of Women’s Month celebrations. SANParks approached local High Schools requesting girls to write essays on conservation and biodiversity, those with winning essays are invited to a careers day at SANParks.

“For three years in succession, we’ve asked women managers to share their journey with the girls and give them some exposure to what they do in SANParks,” says Mgwenya. The managers are from all divisions with a focus on the organisation’s core pillars- conservation, tourism, socio-economic development and support services.

This year we requested each staff member contributes a goodie bag with essentials for girls including sanitary towels and cosmetics. Certificates of appreciation were handed to the girls and the day was topped off with a boat trip around the Knysna estuary by the Park’s marine rangers.

Participating schools this year included Murray High School in Plettenberg Bay, Concordia High and Knysna Secondary School.

The Garden Route National Park’s three sections including Knysna, Wilderness and Tsitsikamma will host learners along with all SA citizens during SA National Parks Week. Says Regional Communications Manager, Nandi Mgwadlamba ‘we approach schools in the Garden Route and organise talks and outings every day of the week for them to experience National Parks. The Garden Route is an outdoor classroom educators should not miss.’ Schools are invited to a free access week in the Garden Route from the 08- 15 September 2019.

Issued By

South African National Parks (SANParks)

Media Enquiries

Nandi Mgwadlamba
Regional Communications Manager
Tel: 078 702 9663
Email: [email protected]