Vusi is living his wildest dream

Vusi Sibuyi passed with flying colours and stood out above the rest with top marks in his class in a six-week field ranger’s training course offered by SA Wildlife College.

He started working for Olifants River Game Reserve (ORGR) in Balule at the main gate as a guard.

According to Susan Harwood from ORGR, his “can-do” and “on the ball” attitude impressed the management team and got him noticed.

Vusi was then invited to join ORGR as a junior ranger.

“In this position, Vusi further impressed both the warden and head of the anti-poaching unit, mainly due to his enthusiasm and work ethic.

“Vusi was keen to further his qualifications so he approached the warden for a loan to study at the college, at which time the board suggested approaching the Balule Outreach Trust (BOT).

“Vusi’s course was funded entirely by the BOT, without hesitation – and the rest, as they say, is history,” she said.

As the breadwinner of his family (comprising his parents and two brothers) Vusi is delighted that he will soon be promoted to a senior field ranger which will not only allow him to fulfil his dreams of protecting wildlife but also to become more effective in providing for his family.

“I feel this career was a calling.

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I am passionate about nature and determined to preserve the wonderful flora and fauna we are gifted, currently and for the generations to come.

“I hope to inspire my two brothers into following in my footsteps and thank everyone involved for giving me this thumbs-up to making a difference in the area of conservation,” he said.

The BOT was established in 2012 to raise funds and engage in community development programs in the Hoedspruit and Phalaborwa communities.

“From small beginnings, in 2013 we have established a firm relationship over several years with our two major beneficiaries – Southern Cross School in Hoedspruit and South African Medical Expeditions (SAME) through their After School Child Care Centre in Sigagule Village.

“Covid-19 has, without warning, brought with it different challenges for which solutions have been urgently sought and we are currently concentrating on providing funds for much-needed food, masks and sanitisation within the communities.

“In addition to SAME, we are supporting Nourish, an NPO operating in Sigagule with funds for making masks, and the Apostolic Faith Mission and the Maseke Community with funds for food parcels, both of whom operate in communities within the Phalaborwa region,” said John Anderson, founder and chairman of BOT.

He thanked donors for their support over the years for their continued support in the mission to uplift families and individuals within the communities of the greater Balule area.

“The valuable support from our own community and external sources, is the life- blood which determines our success, both now and in the future.”