SANParks celebrates employees in regional Achievement Awards

“I am very happy with the regional achievements recipients for the 2016/17 financial year, these are the people that make the national parks shine. The process of evaluating all the nominations was very intense that is why I am confident that all the people who received awards tonight are most deserving and I hope this will motivate the others,” said Lombard Shirindzi, outgoing regional manager of the northern region, at the event.

Park of the year went to Mapungubwe after assessing how they performed in all areas of the park.

“It was not an easy year for Mapungubwe, drought in the last year also came into play but the customer satisfaction, tourism stats and other conservation interventions in the park were still under control and therefore they were deserving of the award,” said Shirindzi.

Camp of the year went to Golden Gate Highlands National Park’s hotel and chalets, which continued to generate excellent revenue in the past financial year, reaffirming that hotels can indeed work in a national park.

Tintswalo Mhlongo, hospitality services manager at Mapungubwe went away with the leadership award, whilst Sidney Mikosi of Marakele took the constituency Builder Award.

Other awards were as follows:

• Ranger Post award - Moralane, at Marakele National Park

• Best Division - Golden Gate Hotel & Chalets

• Reception of the year - Glen Reenen rest camp at Golden Gate

• Residential Area of the year - Mabhete dog picket at Mapungubwe

• Special Regional Manager’s Award - Tshokolo Joseph Molefe of Marakele

Recipients will go on to compete with other regions in the organisation’s Kudu awards which will take place later this year.