SANParks honours staff excellence in Garden Route

KNYSNA NEWS - SANParks' Garden Route National Park rangers and conservationists were honoured at its annual regional awards ceremony, held at Villa Castollini in Brenton-on-Sea on Friday 31 October.

The prestigious event recognises staff excellence across the park's three main sectors: Wilderness, Tsitsikamma and Knysna.

The celebration brought together 150 staff members and stakeholders to acknowledge dedication, passion and exceptional service.

Awards were presented across multiple categories, including Excellent Performance in the Workplace, Best Constituency Builder, Lifetime Contribution, Overall Best Performer, Regional General Manager's Award, Leadership Development Award, Leadership Award, Best Ranger Post, Best Performing Camp of the Year, Best Performing Park of the Year, and Best Performing Division.

A highlight of the evening was the presentation of the Regional General Manager's Award to human capital management officer Cheryl Wiley in recognition of her 35 years of dedicated service. Wiley has been a cornerstone of the park's human resources office and will retire at the end of November.

Four long-serving employees were also honoured with the Lifetime Contribution Award. Regional communications manager Phokela Lebea received the Overall Best Performance Award for his exemplary contribution to the park's mission.

Wilderness Section earned the Best Performing Park of the Year Award, while the Storms River Mouth Rest Camp from Tsitsikamma Section was named Best Performing Camp of the Year.

All regional winners will now represent the Garden Route National Park at the prestigious SANParks Kudu Awards to be hosted in Gauteng later in November.

SANParks expressed gratitude to The Water Club for sponsoring certificates and trophies and to Camping RetrEats for contributing premium retreat vouchers valued at R72 000.

The support of the broader Garden Route business community was also acknowledged for making the event a resounding success.

The Wilderness Section walked away with Best Performing Park of the Year Award. Photos: SANParks

From left to right: Victor Mokoena, Regional General Manager Garden Route, Cheryl Wiley, HCM and Dr Stef Freitag-Ronaldson, General Manager Scientific Services.