Ezemvelo recognises outstanding service
Zululand resorts performed particularly well with all the Eco-Tourism categories being won by local reserves
EZEMVELO KZN Wildlife celebrated another successful year on Friday, 18 November with their annual awards ceremony held at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli ICC in Durban. Speaking at the awards, CEO Dr David Mabunda thanked all staff, even those who did not receive awards, for their dedication to the organisation and conservation.
Zululand resorts performed particularly well with all the Eco-Tourism categories being won by local reserves.
The major resort award was won by Mantuma Resort in uMkhuze Game Reserve, while the small resort award was won by uMlalazi in Mtunzini, the major camp site was Cape Vidal and the small camp site award went to Kosi Bay.
Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park was named the protected area of the year.
Lifetime achievement Dr George Hughes, a past CEO and leading marine biologist mainly researching the turtles of the Maputoland coast was awarded the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award.
Another popular winner on the evening was Bonga Maziya of the Game Capture Unit, which is very often viewed as the machine room of Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife. Maziya, a senior, extra-heavy-duty driver, has been with the unit for the past 28 years.
Game Capture’s head Jeff Cooke highlighted Mayiza’s sense of teamwork as one of his greatest assets.
He has a wonderful sense of adaptability which is a critical qualification in handling the complex world of game capture.
In all the years, Myiza has shown an enthusiasm to volunteer for challenging work and difficult trips, being happy to drive any of the fleet’s vehicles.
It is not uncommon to see him operating a rhino capture truck in the morning and delivering antelope to a buyer in the afternoon.
He has driven 12-hour stretches, safely delivering millions of rands worth of game to destinations throughout South Africa, Botswana, Mozambique and Namibia.
All the awards
External award (conservation / group) – Vertical Endeavours
External award (lifetime achiever) – Dr George Hughes
External award (environmental journalist) – Chelsea Pieterse
Honorary officers group – Durban North Best conservation manager –
Pete Reinard Achiever’s award – Ezemvelo dive unit based in Durban
Best field ranger (Magqubu Ntombela award) – Sendeni Johannes Masuku
Eco-Tourism – resort (major resort) – Mantuma Resort
Eco-Tourism – resort (small resort) – uMlalazi Resort
Eco-Tourism – camping (major camp site) – Cape Vidal
Eco-Tourism – camping (small camp site) – Kosi Bay
Protected area of the year – HluhluweiMfolozi
Support services (human resources) – Mbali Ngcobo
Support services (Information technology) – Premilla Padayachee
Support services (finances) – Bronwen Struwig
People and consevation – Bonga Maziya Scientific services – Margaret Olbers
CEO award – Nozipho Sibeko Employee of the year – Sendeni Johannes Masuku.
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