GARDEN ROUTE NEWS - SA National Parks is celebrating their roses among the thorns this Women's Month by celebrating some of their longest-serving members, and Knysna Plett Herald fired some quick questions in their direction.
After 21 years' service in Sanparks, Eugenia Mkhatshwa, a senior section ranger in the Tsitsikamma section of the Garden Route National Park (GRNP), speaks openly about her role as a senior ranger in a demanding park.
Q: How did you become a ranger?
A: Growing up in the Eastern Cape between the borders of East London and King Williams' Town, I naturally wanted to become a forester. After tertiary training, I joined the Department of Forestry as a forest conservator in 1998. I was one of the people transferred from the department to Sanparks.
Q: Your favourite place in the park?
A: I absolutely love going to the viewpoint, part of the multi-day Dolphin Hiking Trail, to take a deep breath when I feel overwhelmed. There I can look the combination of forest, fynbos and ocean right in the face. It makes protecting the mountain-to-ocean catchment that is Tsitsikamma worthwhile.
A: Any advice to future rangers?
Q: Passion is what will sustain you, so it's important to have an unshakable love for nature. Then it's crucial to be able to listen, be patient especially for young women. You'll start out feeling small and then grow into your role which by the way, you have to carve out for yourself in a male-dominated world. You'll need layers upon layers of tolerance, patience, preparedness to put in hours of work that you may not necessarily see outcomes of.
Section ranger in Goudveld Dominique du Toit has been working for Sanparks for 16 years both in marine and forest areas. She is based in an activity hub attracting more than 80 000 visitors.
Sanparks Goudveld section: Dominique du Toit
Q: How did you become a ranger?
A: When I was younger, I was always involved in camping, Brownies (Girl Scouts), girl guides, hiking clubs and I somehow suspected I'd end up working in nature. I wasn't sure how but took baby steps after matric to study towards a diploma at the Cape Town Technikon. I then went to work for Forestry in the Eastern Cape and then for Timbavati for another four to six years. Then I moved to the Southern Cape to work for the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry, then over to Sanparks.
Liesl Wagner, a field ranger in Windmeulnek which is part of the Wilderness section of the park, was one of the rangers at the forefront of the recent fires that affected the area. Although there were no major losses on hiking trail huts, the park lost an ablution and lapa facility at nearby Platbos. She is also part of the team rebuilding the area after the fires and says the workload has almost doubled as a result of the fires.
Sanparks Wilderness section: Liesl Wagner
Q: How did you become a ranger?
A: I've been working for Sanparks for 13 years. I began as a general worker for about two years and then became a field ranger. What inspired me was my love for nature but my father had worked for Sanparks before. I'd watch my father get up to work early in the morning and that is heartwarming.
Q: Favourite place in the park?
A: Windmeulnek has the best views of the Outeniqua Mountains! Tracking spoor is often fascinating as there are large mammals in the area.
Q: How have things changed since you started your job?
A: As a young supervisor, I have learnt over the years that people may change, but having an approach to dealing with people is always better. It's also important to exhaust the carrot approach before using the stick. So I've found having an open mind, listening with an intention to support and not defend, can go a long way in building relationships.
