SanParks recently announced the winners of its 19th Annual Kudu Awards, recognising journalists, conservation partners, educators and frontline staff whose work has strengthened environmental stewardship, public awareness and biodiversity protection across South Africa’s national parks.
Source: SanParks - Bontebok National Park
The awards brought together representatives from government, academia, conservation bodies and community partners. The event comes ahead of a major milestone for SanParks — the Kruger National Park will mark 100 years on 31 May 2026.
CEO Special Kudu Award
This year’s CEO Special Kudu Award was presented posthumously to the late Sharon Haussmann, CEO of the Greater Kruger Environmental Protection Foundation (GKEPF). SANParks credited her leadership in strengthening conservation partnerships and building cohesion between communities and reserve managers.
Media Awards
Best Journalist: Print — Savanna Strauss (Media24), recognised for reporting on the link between environmental health and human welfare.
Best Journalist: Electronic — two winners:
• Sikonathi Mantshantsha (Media24), for investigative work on sewage-related environmental threats in Mogale City.
• Ulrich Hendricks and Lereko Motseko (SABC), for coverage of the Richtersveld community, highlighting plant poaching, climate pressures and ecological heritage.
Innovation Award
Awarded to Jocelyn Anderson for a national programme bringing environmental learning into schools through technology-supported curricula and hands-on student projects.
Women in Conservation Award
Presented to Kutlwano Masilo for advancing youth environmental education and fostering conservation awareness through direct engagement and mentorship.
Lifetime Achievement Awards
• Kingsley Boesack – 40 years of botanical and field expertise in the Tsitsikamma Section.
• Daniel Engelbrecht – 40 years of service at Table Mountain National Park.
• Lucius Moolman – 36 years of leadership and conservation work across SANParks and the Arid Region.
In addition, 35 Chief Executive Awards<1> were presented across categories, including Best Ranger Post, Best Performing Park, Best Constituency Builder and the Shield Award, recognising internal operational excellence and service commitment.
SanParks’ leadership noted that the achievements of this year’s honourees reflect the human contribution behind conservation outcomes as the organisation looks toward the next century of protected-area management.
