This year marks the 60th anniversary of the SANParks Honorary Rangers – 60 years of supporting SANParks in all spheres and helping SANParks to achieve its objectives. Over the years, the SHR has grown considerably, and with this growth, the organisation has had to adapt to the increasing complexities associated with a larger organisation as well as a changing and uncertain world. Five years have passed since March 2019 when members at the Special General Meeting voted for the organisation to convert its management structure from 2024 2019 % increase Total funds received R30,8 million R20,4 million 51 Administration costs R2,3 million R1,1 million 116 Volunteer hours 390 000 294 000 33 Membership 2 125 1 931 10 Hours per member 184 152 21 Direct contribution to SANParks R18,7 million R7,6 million 147 Total contribution to SANParks R100,8 million R63,9 million 88 a National Executive Committee to a National Board and an Executive Centre, thereby effectively separating governance from executive functions in accordance with the King IV™ best practice on corporate governance. Over the past five years, we have accomplished a great deal, but much work remains. We can only do this as a united organisation, ensuring that the objectives of the SHR are always the primary focus. I wish to highlight a few key performance indicators showing the growth of the organisation over the past five years between 2019 and 2024. Our total cumulative contribution to SANParks over the past five years has exceeded R370 million. We are proud to have once again achieved an unqualified audit report, with no adjustments being required by the auditors in 2024. This is a testimony to the ongoing sound financial management of the SHR. However, additional resources and focus need to be placed on risk and compliance, internal reporting (to provide more meaningful information to our management, Board, and stakeholders) and fundraising capabilities (to ensure that all fundraising activities are profitable and to continue to increase our contribution to SANParks). These will become key focus areas for the Executive Centre, to ensure that the organisation is performing optimally and to allow members to continue with their passion, volunteer work, while simultaneously ensuring sufficient capacity to attend to the operational tasks that keep the organisation functional and provide the framework for members to perform duties. I again wish to extend my sincere appreciation and admiration of all our members who continue to make significant contributions and sacrifices to provide services and support to the SHR. The organisation continues to grow in strength with the support of our regions and National Projects. Our National Projects continue to excel and provide excellent support services to SANParks. These include Project Embrace, K9 Project Watchdog, Public Education and Awareness Programme and Interpretation, Junior Honorary Rangers, Bush Camps, Conservation Services, National Skills Development and Social Economic Transformation. Other initiatives which have excelled in the past year include: • Sporting events (marathons, mountain bike events, cycling events, golf days, hiking trails) • Musical concerts held in national parks • Ranger support in all national parks • Conserving plants in the Richtersveld National Park • N’Washitsumbe roan enclosure 32 SANParks Honorary Rangers 2024 CHIEF EXECUTIVE’S REPORT Message from our leaders continued
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