“These awards honour people for their meaningful contributions to the protection of the environment through various means which reflects society’s admirable social responsibility - giving meaning to the SANParks vision of ‘A Sustainable National Parks System Connecting Society’.”
As part of the awards SANParks Board Chairperson Joanne Yawitch bestowed a Lifetime Contribution Award to Anna Kamfer from Karoo National Park, in the Western Cape. Kamfer joined Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park in 1978 before moving to Karoo National Park. She has loyally served SANParks for 38 years and has helped make Karoo National Parks one of the best National Parks in South Africa.
Fundisile also bequeathed the Shield Award to the Karoo Lion Search Team for their persistence, determination, and hard work under harsh and dangerous conditions in the search of the escaped “Sylvester the Lion” in the Karoo National Park.
Associated Partners: N3 Gateway Tourism Association for the value add efforts in marketing Golden Gate Highlands National Park and making the park one of the preferred tourism destination along their management road network.
Business Partner of the Year: Cape Point Partnership with Thebe Tourism for their continued performance in growing SANParks business and exceeding targets in the 2015/16 financial year.
Corporate Contribution (Non-Profit Making Organisation): The Cape Town Environmental Education Trust, in recognition of their dedication to conservation management which includes monitoring of critical endangered fauna and flora, rehabilitation programmes, awareness raising and clean-up campaigns.
This year’s Environmental Media Award, Best Print Journalist of the Year went to Media24’s Elise Templehof for consistently providing in-depth reporting on various environmental topics including rhino poaching, mining, water scarcity and creating awareness about the impact of negative practices to the environment.
The Best Community Electronic Media/Radio Journalist of the Year went to Gladys Mathebula of Bushbuckridge Radio 88.4FM for consistently providing in-depth reporting on rhino poaching issues and creating awareness in the local communities about the impact of rhino poaching to conservation and tourism.
Anena Burger from Media24 won the Best Community Print Media Journalist of the Year for consistently providing in-depth reporting on various environmental/conservation issues and creating awareness in the local communities.
The Best National Electronic Media/Television Journalist of the Year went to Michael Appel formerly from ANN7 for consistently providing in-depth reporting on rhino poaching issues and creating awareness about the impact of rhino poaching to conservation and tourism.
Saturday’s Star Sheree Bega received the Best Journalist Hall of Fame Award for consistently exhibiting a genuine integrity and interest in environmental and conservation issues in the media covering a variety of topics.
Individual Contribution: Prof Anne Rasa for her tireless efforts and determination in the conservation, rehabilitation and awareness of the plight of the Kalahari Meerkat population.
Honorary Ranger Best Region of the Year: This is the SANParks Honorary Rangers (a volunteer organisation working in national parks) Awards and the winner is the East Rand Region, for their dedication and passion to nature conservation and their involvement in fundraising activities in accordance with SANParks vision and mission.
Honorary Ranger Best Project of the Year: The second winner in the Honorary Rangers Awards category is the Kruger National Park Rustic Camps for their efforts in nature conservation issues and contributing to SANParks through fundraising and support of anti-poaching activities and general environmental and eco-tourism programmes.
Environmental Education/ Capacity Building Award: Dyondzekani Primary School won in this category for their dedication and active teaching and implementing Environmental Education programmes in accordance with SANParks People and Conservation principles.
The Awards evening also saw SANParks staff members being rewarded through the Chief Executive Awards. A total of 36 Chief Executive Awards were given out this year ranging from the Shield Award, Best Customer Service, Best Constituency Builder, Best Ranger Post, Best Performing Camp, Best Performing Park of the Year, Best Performing Entrance Gate/ Reception, Excellent Performance in the workplace, Overall Best Performer, Best Performing Division, Best Leadership Award, CEO Special Award to the Website Community Choice Award.
