News

South African National Parks (SANParks) mourns the loss of Mzwandile Max Fihla, the former Park Manager for Golden Gate Highlands National Park (GGHNP) in the Free State Province.

According to SANParks CEO, Fundisile Mketeni, Mr Fihla passed on Sunday, 19 July 2020 after a short illness. At the time of his passing Fihla was the Transitional Advisor for the Socio-Economic Transformation (SET) division looking after SANParks’ Frontier and Garden Route Regions covering Addo Elephant, Camdeboo, Mountain Zebra, Karoo, Tsitsikamma, Knysna and Wilderness National Parks.

Fihla started his career in SANParks as a Park Manager for GGHNP in 2016 and his passion for projects contributing to socio-economic development for people living adjacent to national parks resulted in his deployment to Port Elizabeth to begin in his current position.

Mketeni said Fihla was a visionary who worked tirelessly to ensure that previously excluded individuals become beneficiaries of meaningful projects in our national parks… “he led from the front with a great work ethic and love for the people.”

“He led the SET programmes in the two regions with great passion, enthusiasm and dedication. On behalf of SANParks Board, Executive Management and all staff, I would like to convey my deepest condolences to his family, relatives, friends and colleagues”, concluded Mketeni.

Funeral arrangements will be announced in due course.

Issued By

South African National Parks (SANParks) Corporate Communications

Media Enquiries

Reynold “Rey” Thakhuli
SANParks Acting Head of Communications
Cell: 073 373 4999
Email: [email protected]