Tsitsikamma park wins top awards

Update

GARDEN ROUTE NEWS - Tsitsikamma National Park has made history by taking two top awards in the prestigious SANParks Kudu Awards, the first awards for this section of the Garden Route National Park since it was established nearly 50 years ago.

Tsitsikamma walked away with the Best Performing Park of the Year and Best Ranger Post of the Year.

In addition, Grant Grootboom, hospitality services manager for Tsitsikamma National Park and Melanie de Morney, Garden Route bio-technician, both received Excellent Performance in the Workplace awards.

The Kudu Awards and the Chief Executive Awards recognise SANParks employees as well as many stakeholders and disciplines that play a role in strengthening conservation in South Africa.

The Best Performing Park of the Year award was made for 'outstanding staff efficiency, professionalism, excellent customer relations, tirelessly working towards improved tourism, financial health as well as great stakeholder management'.

Tsitsikamma's manager, Victor "Vic" Mokoena, said he was "truly humbled to be at the helm of this amazing team". It is Mokoena's second Best Performing Park award. He previously received this accolade in 2016 when heading the Golden Gate National Park. Mokoena paid tribute to his mentor of over 20 years, Janssen Davies, a former chairman of the SANParks Honorary Rangers.

"Janssen taught me an amazing lesson about leadership and said, 'Vic, build a team that shares a common vision and masters the art of interdependence'.

"In that way it acknowledges that the mission is common, regardless of differences, and unique, and includes buy-in from stakeholders and communities all around national parks," said Mokoena.

"I honestly attribute our success to a team that consciously recognises that its role is to 'manage' a system of a national park in a manner that demonstrates servant leadership - and inclusion of people into the landscape for equitable benefit and coexistence with the system."

Regional general manager for the Garden Route National Park Vuyiswa Radebe said the park is as good as its employees.

"I am proud of the team (Tsitsikamma National Park) and Scientific Services for the dedication they continue to show in their various roles. It is true that hard work always leads to success," said Radebe.

Tsitsikamma National Park staff celebrate their Best Performing Park of the Year award.