On Friday 15 February the Honorary Rangers National Executive Committee met in one of South Africa’s most spectacular parks, the Golden Gate Highlands National Park. The Chairpersons from the various regions met there on Saturday 16 February.
SANParks were represented by Kevin Moore, from the People and Conservation division, and a big supporter of the HR corps. Kevin will soon be heading the portfolio of Public Awareness and Volunteers in SANParks, and is fully committed to helping HR’s reach their objectives. Also present from SANParks was Johan Taljaard, the Park Manager, as well as Victor Mokoena, duty manager in the park. They all welcomed the HR group warmly, and made them feel like part of the team.
The one important message that was carried through the two meetings was the fact that SANParks view the work that HR do in a very serious light, and the fact that we have to share the same ethos and objectives. Our balanced scorecard is based on exactly the same as SANParks, with transformation being a key factor. Kevin reported that HR’s are sometimes perceived as the ‘Rich guys who do things in the Parks’, and this perception needs to be changed with hard work and dedication from all HR’s.
Honorary Rangers must be ambassadors for SANParks, and thanks to the never-ending efforts of people like Janssen Davies, NEC Chairperson, the group is gaining more recognition from SANParks Management. This message has to reach across to all Honorary Rangers and Junior Rangers. We have to carry the flag for SANParks, together with SANParks.
Chairpersons of regions as well as National Projects gave feedback on things happening all over the country, and the Balanced Scorecard objectives were once again emphasized, we have to grow our numbers, both HR and Junior Rangers, we have to grow our PDI numbers and our contribution to SANParks as well as our contribution to Environmental Education. All these are measurable targets and the feedback that was received from the statistics were that we are on track, with minor exceptions. Chairpersons were urged by the NEC chairman to submit reports in time, and to make these reports meaningful to SANParks management. Finances play an important role in our corps, and have to be given the necessary attention to detail to ensure quality of reporting and transparency that is required. The NEC budget was presented by Andrè van der Merwe, Vice Chairman and treasurer of the NEC and accepted by the meeting.
Feedback was received from Grant Jamieson, the Chairperson of Johannesburg region regarding the progress of the Indaba at Berg en Dal Restcamp in Kruger National Park. A full program is on offer, and members who have been snoozing with bookings will be loosing out. The venue and organisation of high quality promises to make an unforgettable Indaba for 2008. Andrè Vosloo, NEC Vice Chairman and member from the Boland region gave his regions’ presentation on the 2009 Indaba, to be held in Kgalagadi. This also has the potential to become an event to remember, as the Kalahari has a certain appeal that will not be lost to HR’s.
It was not all work and no play, and on Saturday a lovely braai was hosted by Des Bothma from Free State region, the preparation and cooking was done by Andrè Vosloo, who actually missed his real calling in life, he should have been a Gourmet Chef! Over dinner, many friendships were rekindled, and new ones formed, as there were many members who were attending their first meeting.
A hearty “thank you” goes out from the NEC to all who attended, from near and far, to Des Bothma and his team for hosting the event. Also to be thanked are the Park Manager and his team for the hospitality and the friendliness in receiving us, and making it memorable, and to Kevin Moore who took time out from his schedule to attend the meetings. Last but not least, the SANParks have to be thanked for establishing a National Park in such a glorious setting, everyone present were in awe of the natural beauty of this national treasure.