HOEDSPRUIT: Queen of the bush
She dreams big for her future, hoping within the next five to ten years, to own her own Environmental Education Centre or Lodge.
- Queen Manyike, born and raised in Acornhoek, received a scholarship from Bushwise Field Guides to undertake her FGASA training at the beginning of the year.
Queen has always dreamed of working in the bush,”I grew up loving nature at a very young age and my love for it kept flourishing as I was continuously visiting my Dad at Klaserie Private Nature Reserve.”
The safari guide in the making was born in Tintswalo Village and educated at schools in the Acornhoek area.
She attended Funjhwa Primary School from Grades one to four, Ndabeni High Primary School from Grade five to seven and then Magwagwaza High School from Grades eight to twelve.
After completing her Grade 12, Queen went on to study Resolving of Crime at the New Learning Vision Academy College in Thohoyandou.
In 2016, she went to the Southern African Wildlife College in KNP to study Youth Access: Introduction to Nature Conservation and Environmental Education.
She has previously worked as a Environmental Educator at Eco-Children in Klaserie Nature Reserve.
The scholarship opportunity came about after her former boss introduced her to Sophie Niemann, the Director of Bushwise.
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Sophie interviewed Queen and saw she had great potential. Queen was asked to complete an entrance exam and passed with an impressive 89%, earning her the scholarship position.
When asked about her relationship with nature, Queen told the HOEDSPRUIT HERALD, “My reason for loving nature is because it provides beauty, calm and serenity and greatly provides life. Nature teaches you that there is nothing wrong with you. When you are in nature, you don’t have to look in mirrors. Instead, you’re either focused on the setting around you, or on what you are doing, like climbing, setting up a tent or gardening.”
Queen says she is enjoying every moment of her Bushwise training and commends the trainers, “Though it comes with determination and hard work, the facilitators are open and friendly. I feel they are doing an amazing job. Without them, who is going to pass on the knowledge to us, the [next] generation?”
She explains that her favourite moment to date was participating in the Tracking Course with Colin Patrick, where she managed to pass the assessments with an impressive Level 3.
Once her training is complete, Queen hopes to carry out her practical placement at either Senalala Luxury Tented Camp or Camp George Safari Camp.
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Queen was fortunate to visit both camps when she was just 13 years old and says she has admired them ever since.
She hopes to deliver the best to her guests and leave them with great memories of their stay in the bush.
She dreams big for her future, hoping within the next five to ten years, to own her own Environmental Education Centre or Lodge.
Best of luck Queen, keeping aiming for the top!
