The South African National Parks (Sanparks) recognised deserving conservationists at this year’s annual Kudu Awards ceremony.
This event, held at the Gallagher Convention Centre in Midrand on Thursday, 28 November, is in its 18th year and recognises internal and external stakeholders that have an exceptional commitment to sustainability, improving livelihoods, and achieving real change in the national parks.
“Awareness of conservation issues is of vital importance and to better protect the national parks, we need to work together and find solutions to challenges such as anti-poaching and climate change and educate and inform the public,” stated Genevieve Maasdorp, communications manager of the Sanparks arid region.
“The event saw conservation heavyweights join to celebrate those who have gone the extra mile to protect and conserve our country’s biodiversity.”
The winners from the arid region for the 2024 Kudu Awards are:
Excellent performance in the workplace:
- Theoline Farmer (|Ai-|Ais/Richtersveld Transfrontier Park);
- Calvin van Wyk (Augrabies Falls National Park);
- Eldrin Harmse (Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park);
- Eric Mienies (Kgalagadi);
- Hanel Franken (Kgalagadi);
- Anthea Mouton (Kgalagadi); and
- Andries Renoster (Mokala National Park).
Best customer service:
- Sonia van Wyk (Augrabies) and Jan Neels (Kgalagadi).
Lifetime contribution:
- Koos Josob (|Ai-|Ais/Richtersveld).
Research, initiative and innovation:
- Pieter van Wyk (|Ai-|Ais/Richtersveld).
