Careers beckon at Stainbank Nature Reserve

SCENES of jubilation erupted this week when 12 of the 400-strong Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife Rhino Ambassador youth learnt that they had been recruited by the internationally renowned Wilderness Leadership School (WLS), based at Stainbank Nature Reserve, to undergo a six-month youth development programme.

Disbelief and tears then greeted the subsequent news that upon graduating from this course, Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife (Ezemvelo) would formally employ all 12 of them. The lucky 12 will emerge from their training as qualified field guides (NQF level 2), including lessons in weapons competency, spoor identification and tracking as well as certification in ’leave-no- trace’ camping principles.

There were cheers, too, when 40 others were told they had been selected to attend two ‘livelihood’ workshops, offering them a two-week life skills programme, including a ‘Job Readiness’ programme dealing with such disciplines as communication skills, financial literacy and professional planning.

These announcements by the WLS signified the first statement of corporate recognition for the acclaimed Rhino Ambassador Programme started by Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife some 18 months ago. The training programme has been primarily funded by Absa Bank to the tune of R500 000.

The Rhino Ambassadors were formed by ’Ezemvelo’s CEO Dr Bandile Mkhize when he asked amaKhosi living around Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Pak (HiP), Ndumo Game Reserve and Tembe Elephant Park to help him select youth who would infiltrate their communities and towns, imparting fundamental conservation messages, including the need to value and protect rhinos.

Such was the calibre of the programme that Ms Cherryl Curry, general manager of the WLS, was alerted to the conservation potential of these youth.

“We were so inspired with the young ambassadors we encountered that I immediately approached the Magqubu Ntombela Foundation to fund taking them out on wilderness trails as the first phase of our wilderness leadership programme,” she said.

She then discussed the ambassadors’ future with the CEO of Ezemvelo. “It was clear that Dr Mkhize was desperate to find career options for the best of them. He recognised the need to provide development opportunities for those who displayed exceptional leadership qualities.”

Curry then approached Absa Bank for funding, underwritten by the need to harness what she described as this “reservoir of exceptional young conservation talent.”

For their part, Absa’s Lindiwe Rakharebe, regional executive KZN, highlighted the fact that the project’s close links with employment opportunities at Ezemvelo made for a compelling proposal.

“It was a stimulating proposal from WLS. It spoke of community upliftment and equipping people with meaningful skills to help them seek employment. Apart from all else Absa Bank was interested in nurturing local people who want to play a part in the economy and in simultaneously nurturing our pressurised, natural heritage,” said Rakharebe.

Ezemvelo’s Dr Mkhize responded to Absa’s interest in employment with what he described as “absolute glee.”

“I’ve been hoping for a sign from the market that acknowledged these rhino ambassadors. Yes, I have felt responsible for taking this ambassador programme to the next level, certainly for those who really warrant this promotion,” he said.