The Eastern Cape Parks and Tourism Agency (ECPTA) in partnership with the Wildlife College hosted a pass-out parade for 45 youths that the two organisations trained to become field ranger cadets. This pilot initiative was undertaken by ECPTA to assist with youth development and unemployment within the rural communities that share comanaging rights with ECPTA for its 15 provincial nature reserves spread across the Eastern Cape.
The youths were trained to be a resource for provincial reserves like Mkhambathi, Dwesa Cwebe, Hluleka, Silaka, Great Fish, Thomas Baines, Tsolwana, East London Coast, Ongeluksnek and others. All trainees will be employed at ECPTA-managed nature reserves in areas like Mthatha, Port St Johns, Gqeberha, East London, Matatiele, and Queenstown to mention a few.
