News

SANParks” Northern Region Parks (Mapungubwe National Park & World Heritage Site outside of Musina, Marakele National Park situated outside of Thabazimbi and Golden Gate Highlands National Park situated in the eastern Free State) celebrated their employees at an Achievement Awards function that took place on Friday, 18 August 2017 at Mapungubwe National Park.

Regional Achievement Awards take place in SANParks as a way of recognising those employees that go the extra mile at park level to make the national parks what they are and further encourage excellent performance and ensure a continuous quality service for the stakeholders.

Speaking at the event, the outgoing Regional Manager of the Northern Region, Mr Lombard Shirindzi, said “I am very happy with the regional achievements recipients for the 2016/17 financial year. These are the people that make the national parks shine. The process of evaluating all the nominations was very intense; that is why I am confident that all the people who received awards tonight are most deserving and I hope this will motivate the others”.

The most popular award of the evening is usually the 'Park of the Year' award, which went to Mapungubwe National Park, after assessing how they performed in all areas. “It was not an easy year for Mapungubwe National Park, drought in the last year also came into play but the customer satisfaction, tourism stats and other conservation interventions in the Park were still under control and therefore they were deserving of the award” said Shirindzi.

'Camp of the Year' went to Golden Gate Highlands National Park”s hotel and chalets which continued to generate excellent revenue in the past financial year and therefore re-affirmed that hotels can indeed work in a national park.

Ms Tintswalo Mhlongo,Hospitality Services Manager at Mapungubwe National Park went away with the Leadership award whilst Sidney Mikosi of Marakele National Park took the Constituency Builder Award. Beside Excellent Performance in the Workplace awards, the other categories awarded are as follow:

• 'Best Ranger Post' award – Moralane at Marakele National Park
• 'Best Division' award – Golden Gate Hotel & Chalets in Golden Gate Highlands National Park
• 'Reception of the Year' award – Glen Reenen Rest Camp in Golden Gate Highlands National Park
• 'Residential Area of the Year' award – Mabhete dog picket at Mapungubwe National Park
• Special Regional Manager”s Award – Tshokolo Joseph Molefe of Marakele National Park

All these recipients will go on to compete with other regions in the organisation”s Kudu Awards, which will take place later this year.

Park Manager of Mapungubwe National Park, Mr Conrad Strauss, flanked by the Regional Manager of the Northern Region, Mr Lombard Shirindzi�and Park Manager of Golden Gate Highlands National Park, Mr Mzwandile Fihla and Park Management receives the 'Park of the Year' award.

Issued By

SANParks Northern Region

Media Enquiries

Divhani Maremba
Northern Region Communications Manager, SANParks
Tel: (012) 426 5304, ; Cell: 074 588 5789
Email: [email protected]