Members must complete the Introduction to Marakele National Park course to qualify for performing duties in this park. Photo © Carolien du Plessis SDNP addresses the relevant training needs of SHR members and applicant members through a structured process of skills development (training), as prescribed in the SHR constitution. The Skills Development National Project (SDNP) endeavours to improve the quality of services rendered to SANParks, and to nature conservation, by an educated and well-informed corps of SHR members. In addition, a contribution is made to national training and the promotion of the conservation skills and knowledge required to protect our natural resources and cultural heritage. The project also ensures that conservation duties performed by members in our national parks are more enriching, enjoyable and satisfying for members who have received training. The training and appointment of suitable instructors for each course is run by the Instructor Development Working Group under the guidance of Cedric Hapgood- Strickland. In 2023, new instructors and applicant instructors were appointed for the SANParks and SHR course, the Introduction to Marakele National Park course, the Introduction to Mapungubwe National Park course and the Junior Honorary Rangers Facilitators’ course. During the year, 122 courses were offered under the auspices of the Skills Development National Project (SDNP). This compared to 97 in 2022/2023 and 92 in 2021/2022. The number of members who passed the various courses – and in so doing, qualify to do duty in the various parks – amounted to 1 498 with two sets ofresults still outstanding. This will take the number of successful members to well over 1 500 for the year, surpassing the 2022/2023 number of 1 285 and the 2021/2022 number of 1 364. Most importantly, the SANParks and the SANParks Honorary Ranger Course delivered 482 successful members, compared to 308 and 314 in the previous two years, respectively. The committee continues to explore both online and in-person training avenues to facilitate refresher courses and to achieve national training targets. Contact Geoff Lautenbach geoffl@uj.ac.za SANParks Honorary Rangers 2024 97 SKILLS DEVELOPMENT NATIONAL PROJECT
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NTI0MzQ=