CCFA Intern Update – May 2023

Our two 2023 Greening Young Futures interns have been busy with their six-month placements since the beginning of April at Nyosi Wildlife Reserve. We caught up recently with Akona Ngalo and Vuyisanani “Tshatshu” Busakwe to find out how their internships are going…

Have you enjoyed your internship at Nyosi so far?

Akona: I have enjoyed it!

Tshatshu: Very much enjoyed the experience. The team spirit and morale are great at Nyosi. All employees are keen to help and teach me things and go out of their way to facilitate this.

What are the various aspects that you’ve been involved in and learning about?

Akona: I have been involved in many hospitality aspects such as the wine & gin tasting – Antonio has been helping and guiding me, and I have found it very interesting and enjoyable. Busi has been showing me how to be a Barista and Anele has started to introduce me to the booking system. I have also had the opportunity to interact with Indalo and learn about plans and projects they are doing. I was also given the opportunity to host an event in the Villa and attend to all the guests for a day meeting.

Tshatshu: Kitchen – cooking and baking with DJ. Blackie is teaching me about plants and even lent me a nature guidebook which I found super interesting and made me start to research FGASA however the tuition fees are very expensive.

What is the highlight from your first month of internship?

Akona: Game drives with field guide Abi. Abi teaches me about the landscape and animals.

Tshatshu: I would like to answer Q3&4 together.

What are you looking forward to the most as part of your internship?

Akona: Learning more especially nature and how to conserve nature and keep it going.

Tshatshu: At Nyosi the staff take excellent care of the maintenance and are extremely hardworking. This continues to inspire me and is highlighted daily. Thus, makes every day a highlight and I look forward to all the learning which is still to come.

Are you excited to start working together with Indalo on the Greening the Community follow-ups at the schools in KwaNobuhle?

Akona: YES! If we involve young minds, we can preserve nature for the next generation.

Tshatshu: VERY! I know a lot of schools and teachers where we will be doing our follow-ups. I am grateful to give back to the community and to do something special for the community to show them to get involved in good things. (He expressed often that he loves working at Nyosi and then going home to soccer training. He is actively trying to be involved in wholesome work and after-work activities. Many of these peers and younger have resorted to drugs and crime).

What message would you want to share with the pupils at the KwaNobuhle schools?

Akona: School is NB we need to take care of nature. We are also nature therefore going green is the way forward.

Tshatshu: Try to be positive, and don’t allow peers to pressure you. Be active i.e., play sports and get involved in good community activities i.e., talent show.

Have you had people from your community asking questions about your internship experience so far? If so, what are they interested to know?

Akona:  Friends, family and fellow churchgoers have expressed – interest in coming to experience Nyosi to see what is happening here.

Tshatshu:  Currently I only see my friends on weekends as my daily routine does not allow for seeing friends – I come to work and go back to soccer practice followed by home. However, I have often updated my WhatsApp status or on weekends friends have been asking about my experience.

Has your internship experience so far impacted your career ambitions?

Akona: Originally, I wanted to be a teacher as I am good at teaching people things. Since being in a hospitality space I learnt more and realized how much work there is to be done in this industry. Being a Game ranger is something I am also interested in.

Tshatshu: I would love to have a career where I can maintain a balance of work and sport. My ideal would be to work and still be able to play soccer after work. Careers which have started to interest me are guiding, veterinary, nursing, and social work.

What is your favourite wild animal and why?

Akona: Elephant – as it is big and strong (like me!)

Tshatshu:  Giraffes – their patterns are amazing.

We are looking forward to following the rest of Akona and Tshatshu’s internship journeys, as they continue to be exposed to various aspects of ecotourism, hospitality, conservation, community projects and more!

Additional information:

• Our Legacy Conservation Project at Nyosi Wildlife Reserve
• Greening Young Futures 
• Greening the Community
• A Holistic Rewilding Approach

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Introducing Dr Dean Allen 

The Community Conservation Fund Africa (CCFA) is pleased to announce that Dr Dean Allen has accepted the role of ambassador for our organization. Originally from England, Dean has made South Africa and more specifically the Eastern Cape his home. A best-selling author, public speaker, and historian, he is currently writing a book about how the Eastern Cape became a wildlife tourism destination and is thus well-placed to represent the CCFA in the work that we do.

Speaking of his new role, Dean said, “What a privilege and honour to become an ambassador for such a worthy foundation. The CCFA strives to give back to both community and wildlife in Southern Africa and promote sustainability in everything it does. This is something I passionately believe in. Having interviewed many conservationists in the course of my research, I’m well aware of the vital work that is being done and what still needs to be done to make a difference. If I can help in any way to share this message as a CCFA ambassador, then I’ll be more than happy.”

As a best-selling author, public speaker, and historian, Dean brings a unique perspective to CCFA’s mission of giving back to both the community and wildlife in Southern Africa while promoting sustainability in everything we do. His knowledge and passion for conservation make him the perfect fit to represent CCFA in the work that we do. We are thrilled to have him as part of our team and are grateful for his commitment to our cause.

CCFA is committed to protecting the environment and supporting communities in Southern Africa. By partnering with local organizations and individuals, we are able to develop and implement programs that promote sustainable conservation practices and benefit both people and wildlife. As an ambassador, Dean will play a vital role in helping us spread the message about our work and the importance of conservation.

We are delighted to welcome Dr Dean Allen as our ambassador and look forward to working with him to achieve our goals and make a meaningful difference in the lives of communities and wildlife in Southern Africa.

Additional information:

• Visit Dean’s website: https://www.deanallen.co.za/ 

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A lifetime award

On March 9th, 2023, our Chairman, Adrian Gardiner, was awarded the prestigious Global Humanitarian Award by Global Humane. As the Community Conservation Fund – Africa NPC, we are incredibly proud of Adrian and his contributions to the conservation industry and the communities in which we operate. The award was presented to Adrian by American Humane President and CEO, Dr Robin Ganzert who spoke in recognition of all that Adrian has achieved for animals, people and conservation. American Humane has been committed to helping ensure the safety, welfare and well-being of animals all over the world since its inception in 1877. 

Adrian Gardiner has been a leading figure in conservation and sustainable tourism in Africa for over three decades. He founded the Mantis Collection, a group of luxury hotels and eco-lodges that prioritize sustainable tourism practices and have a positive impact on the local communities and wildlife. Adrian’s vision for sustainable tourism is one that values the environment and the people who call it home, and his work has inspired countless others in the industry to follow in his footsteps.

In addition to his work with the Mantis Collection, Adrian is the Chairman of the Community Conservation Fund – Africa NPC, an organization that works to conserve wildlife and support rural communities in southern Africa. The CCFA has a holistic approach to conservation, recognizing that the health and well-being of communities and ecosystems are interconnected. Through partnerships with local communities and conservation organizations, the CCFA has successfully implemented programs that benefit both people and wildlife.

One such program is Greening the Community, an initiative focused on long-term empowerment and environmental sustainability for the local community of Kwa Nobuhle in Nelson Mandela Bay, Eastern Cape. Its primary objective is to promote environmental awareness practices at the grassroots level, with a particular emphasis on inspiring change and motivating young people to take an active role in creating a prosperous future for all. The CCFA youth development initiative, Greening Young Futures, was born out of the Greening the Community project.

Another program that the CCFA has implemented is the Cheetah Rewilding Project at Nyosi Wildlife Reserve, the home of our CCFA Legacy Project. The project is an ambitious undertaking aimed at reintroducing captive cheetahs into the wild while simultaneously empowering community members. By doing so, the project aims to establish a direct, mutually beneficial connection between endangered wildlife and the local community.

Adrian’s leadership and vision have been instrumental in the success of the CCFA and its programs. His commitment to sustainable tourism and community-benefit conservation has not only benefited southern Africa but has also set an example for the global tourism industry. The Global Humanitarian Award is a well-deserved recognition of his contributions, and we are honoured to have him as our Chairman.

As the CCFA, we recognize that conservation is not a one-person job. It takes a collective effort from individuals, organizations, and communities to make a lasting impact. However, having a leader like Adrian Gardiner at the helm inspires us to continue working towards our vision of a world where people and wildlife thrive together.

We hope that Adrian’s recognition by Global Humane will inspire others to take action towards conservation and sustainable tourism. As a conservation organization, we believe that everyone has a role to play in protecting our natural resources and ensuring a sustainable future for generations to come. By working together, we can make a difference and create a world where people and wildlife can coexist in harmony.

Additional information:

• Our Legacy Conservation Project at Nyosi Wildlife Reserve
• Our official ecotourism partner, Mantis

How to support the CCFA

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A “hand-in-paw” journey

CCFA’s commitment to community empowerment through our Cheetah Rewilding Project is that for every cheetah we rewild, we empower a community member. With the arrival of our first captive cheetah around the corner, we are pleased to introduce our first ‘Cheetah Champion’, Anele Ntshiyane.

Anele is a 28-year-old mother of two from the township of KwaNobuhle, which borders Nyosi Wildlife Reserve, home to our CCFA Legacy Project in Nelson Mandela Bay. She provides a glimpse into her family life growing up, “I grew up in a family that is warm, living with my mother and sister. My mother passed on in 2016, so I now I live with my siblings and my two boys.”

A Greener future

In 2021 Anele was selected as part of a group of 20 youths from KwaNobuhle to participate in our youth development initiative – specifically the Siyazenzela Livelihoods, Leadership and Resilience course by Wilderness Foundation Africa. It was the first time this course was presented at Nyosi Wildlife Reserve. Anele found out about the course through a friend and jumped at the opportunity to send her CV and apply for a placement. This course forms part of our Greening Young Futures youth development initiative.

Reconnecting with Nature

Nyosi Wildlife Reserve was the perfect venue for fostering a connection with nature for the students. Home to at least four vegetation types, the land is rich in biodiversity which the CCFA and Nyosi teams are working to reinforce. Nyosi Wildlife Reserve is where Anele found her love for nature, especially as she was selected by our partner Indalo NPC for a six-month internship at the reserve after graduating from the Siyazenzela course. “This was a wake-up call for me as I knew little about plants, but through Indalo I got to learn a lot about plants through the planting programs we did through various schools in KwaNobuhle, playing our part in Greening the Community by planting a total of 600 trees,” Anele explains.

An Opportunity Earned

Anele impressed the management of Nyosi Wildlife Reserve and accepted an offer of employment as a guest relations officer. This is the perfect stepping stone to achieving her dream of becoming a safari field guide: “The dream of becoming a field guide came through the program. Learning about nature, the behaviour of the animals in the wild and actually physically being out in the wild – it became the place I want to be. My journey to becoming a field guide is a dream that I am most certain will come true.” As fate will have it, Anele’s journey to achieving her dream is linked with the journey of a specific cheetah.

Symbiosis with Wildlife

We are thrilled that Anele has been selected as our first ‘Cheetah Champion’. She will walk a ‘hand-in-paw’ journey with our first captive cheetah in our Cheetah Rewilding Program. Anele’s name for her cheetah companion is Nkanyiso, meaning ‘Light giver’ in Xhosa, as she will light the path for future captive cheetahs to follow in her rewilding tracks. Funds raised for this project will support both Nkanyiso’s rewilding journey and Anele’s journey to becoming a field guide. Anele will serve as an ambassador for wildlife conservation in her community and inspire other youths to explore careers in conservation.

Additional information:

• Cheetah Rewilding Project
• Meet the first-ever cheetahs in our rewilding project
• Cheetah Conservation Challenges
• Our Legacy Conservation Project at Nyosi Wildlife Reserve
• Our official ecotourism partner, Mantis

How to support our Cheetah Rewilding Project

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