MPUMALANGA – Field rangers who dedicate their lives to protecting wildlife and preserving South Africa's natural heritage were honoured during Mpumalanga's Provincial World Rangers Day celebration held at the Chief Albert Luthuli Songimvelo Nature Reserve on Friday, 31 July 2026.
The event, hosted by the Mpumalanga Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, Land and Environmental Affairs (DARDLEA) in partnership with the Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency (MTPA), recognised the courage, commitment and sacrifices of rangers working on the frontline of conservation.
The celebration brought together government officials, conservation stakeholders, tourism representatives, community members and field rangers to acknowledge their role in protecting biodiversity and ensuring future generations continue to experience the country's natural heritage.
The event was also supported by the Eswatini National Trust Commission (ENTC), the institution responsible for nature conservation in Eswatini. Representing the organisation, Teddy Ncamiso Dlamini delivered a message of support, highlighting the importance of cross-border conservation and tourism collaboration. Eswatini forms part of the TriLand Route, a trilateral regional tourism partnership between the MTPA, the Eswatini Tourism Authority (ETA) and the Mozambique Institute of Tourism (INATUR).
Rangers recognised for dedication and sacrifice
The programme included the presentation of awards recognising outstanding performance and commitment, including Best Shooter, Best Male Magazine Loading and Unloading, Best Female Magazine Loading and Unloading, Best Performing Region and Project Managers.
Certificates of appreciation were also presented to rangers in recognition of their dedication, bravery and continued contribution to protecting wildlife, natural resources and protected areas.
Among the recipients was Mirriam Boroko, who received the Best Shooter award. Boroko said the achievement reflected her continued dedication to conservation but called for greater recognition and career development opportunities for field rangers.
"I have won the Best Shooter award three times in a row over the past years. While we appreciate the recognition, we would like MTPA to also recognise our commitment and dedication through opportunities for growth and promotion," she said.
Boroko said continued support and recognition would motivate field rangers to continue performing at their best while protecting the country's natural heritage.
Boroko joined the Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency (MTPA) in 1991 and has served as a field ranger since then. She is currently stationed at Loskop Nature Reserve. The event also paid tribute to the late J.J. Masinga, a field ranger who lost his life in the line of duty. His family received R50 000 as a gesture of appreciation for his sacrifice and contribution to conservation.
Two vehicles were also handed over to parks officials to strengthen conservation operations and support field rangers working on the ground.
Delivering the keynote address, Mpumalanga MEC for Agriculture, Rural Development, Land and Environmental Affairs Khethiwe Moeketsi praised field rangers for their dedication, describing them as symbols of courage, sacrifice and selfless service.
The MEC said the celebration was particularly fitting during Mandela Month, as rangers continue to demonstrate values of commitment and service to society.
"Our field rangers are living examples of Madiba's values. Through their dedication, resilience and willingness to place themselves in harm's way to protect our country's natural heritage, they demonstrate that true leadership is found in service to others," said Moeketsi.
She said rangers remain central to protecting South Africa's biodiversity but continue to face growing challenges, including illegal mining, poaching, climate change, habitat destruction and human-wildlife conflict.
"Illegal mining presents one of the most serious threats to protected areas. Illegal miners often operate in remote areas, making them difficult to detect and apprehend. Rangers frequently encounter heavily armed criminal groups, placing their own lives at considerable risk," she said.
Moeketsi acknowledged operational challenges affecting rangers, including shortages of vehicles, equipment, communication systems and other essential resources.
"As government, we recognise that effective conservation cannot succeed without well-trained, properly equipped and adequately supported rangers," she said.
She called on communities to work with authorities by reporting illegal activities and supporting conservation efforts.
"Protecting our natural heritage is a shared responsibility."
Rangers highlight operational challenges
Speaking on behalf of field rangers, Tumelo Nkadimeng, a field ranger and assistant manager, said rangers remain committed to protecting wildlife and natural resources despite difficult working conditions.
"Field rangers are the guardians of nature. They patrol our reserves, prevent poaching, control illegal activities and help conserve biodiversity for future generations," he said.
He highlighted operational challenges, including shortages of vehicles, firearms, radios, staff and suitable accommodation.
"We have shortages of staff and resources, which include vehicles. We also have shortages of firearms in some nature reserves and shortages of radios," he said.
Nkadimeng also raised concerns about limited career development opportunities, saying a lack of training and promotions affects morale among field rangers.
"We cannot have a field ranger who works for more than 10 years without moving to a senior position. That thing will demoralise you," he said.
He called for stronger support from management and communities, emphasising that conservation requires collective responsibility.
"Conservation is not only the responsibility of rangers; it is the responsibility of everyone in this country."
Tourism stakeholders call for greater investment
Chief Albert Luthuli Local Tourism Organisation chairperson Banele Nhlabathi raised concerns about challenges affecting Songimvelo Nature Reserve, including resource shortages and declining tourism activity.
Nhlabathi said rangers require adequate tools of trade, including vehicles and equipment, to effectively respond to illegal activities threatening conservation.
He also called for surrounding communities to benefit from conservation through tourism and agricultural opportunities.
"Let us create revenue for people around Songimvelo and ensure communities benefit from conservation."
He suggested that initiatives such as planting chilli crops to assist with elephant management could create opportunities for local farmers while strengthening conservation efforts.
Mayor praises rangers' commitment
Acting Executive Mayor of Nkangala District Municipality Cllr Bheki Buthelezi praised rangers for their bravery and commitment to protecting the country's natural resources.
Paying tribute to the late J.J. Masinga, Buthelezi said rangers continue to make sacrifices while safeguarding wildlife and natural heritage.
"Rangers are foot soldiers whose boots are always on the ground as the first and last line of defence, protecting our natural heritage from all kinds of threats," he said.
The acting Mayor thanked the MEC for choosing Songimvelo Nature Reserve as the venue for the celebration and called for stronger cooperation between government, conservation agencies, communities and other stakeholders.
He also supported calls for improved resources for field rangers, saying they require proper tools to combat poaching and other environmental crimes.
Protecting nature for future generations
The World Rangers Day celebration highlighted the important role played by field rangers in protecting South Africa's wildlife, ecosystems and natural resources.
Speakers called for stronger partnerships between government, conservation agencies and communities to ensure protected areas remain safe while continuing to contribute to tourism and local economic development.
Closing the event, Mpumalanga MEC for Agriculture, Rural Development, Land and Environmental Affairs Khethiwe Moeketsi thanked field rangers for their dedication and sacrifice.
"We hold our environment in trust for future generations, and our rangers have accepted this responsibility with selfless pride and dedication," she said.
"Your service is deeply valued and your sacrifices do not go unnoticed."
The MEC also highlighted government's commitment to strengthening conservation efforts and supporting field rangers across the province.
Newly appointed MTPA board member Professor David Mabunda assured stakeholders that plans were already in place to restore Songimvelo Nature Reserve and strengthen conservation efforts.
"We will not allow Songimvelo to decline. The fundamentals of turning Songimvelo into a viable, profitable and functional conservation asset are strong, and no one will be able to dismantle them," said Mabunda.
Mabunda also welcomed government's intervention against illegal mining, saying the deployment of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) alongside the South African Police Service (SAPS) to combat illicit mining was already yielding positive results through daily arrests. He said protecting conservation areas remains critical to safeguarding South Africa's natural heritage, noting that Section 24 of the Constitution places environmental protection at the centre of sustainable development.
