SPAN PROJECT
Ministry of Environment and Tourism
Directorate of Parks and Wildlife Management
Private Bag 13306
Namibia
News
2009 Field Staff Awards
The Ministry of Environment and Tourism held its annual “Green Tie” Field Staff Award Ceremony in Windhoek on September 14, 2009 to honour staff who have made an exceptional contribution to conservation and go ‘beyond the call of duty’.
The event coincided with the historic National Conference on the Implementation of the Policy on Human Wildlife Conflict Management, and was attended by traditional leaders, Regional Governors, conservancy members and field staff from all corners of the country.
Officiating at the event, Environment and Tourism Minister Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah praised award winners, stating that for them, ‘conservation is a way of life, it is their calling and not just and eight to five job’.
She also commended all field staff throughout the country, stating that, in challenging conditions, and often with limited equipment, they persevered to ensure that Namibia’s Protected Areas and wildlife remained among the best in Africa.
Incident Book Award
This year the Incident Book Award was jointly awarded to two parks, being Mudumu National Park in Caprivi Region and Sperrgebiet National Park (Oranjemund). Staff who work in Mudumu are Warden Vincent Mwilima, who collected the award, and field staff Fabian Kangumu, Booysen. Sinvula, Gift Simataa, Benefactor Salushando, Matambo Singulangwa. Ranger Paulus Johannes collected the award for Sperrgebiet’s Oranjemund Office, while Warden Kosmos Shilongo was unable to attend the event.
Springbok Award
This recognises the outstanding performance of a young MET field staff member who demonstrates great potential to succeed in the field of conservation, park management and special outreach services.
Warden Riaan Solomon, based at Ganab in the Namib-Naukluft Park, received the Springbok Award for junior staff. The first runner-up was Ranger Paulus Johannes of Oranjemund in the Sperrgebiet National Park, while the Second Runner-Up position went to Samuel Thomas of Otjovasandu in Etosha National Park.
Welwitschia Award
This is a special award to a MET field staff member who demonstrates outstanding leadership qualities, shows a great work ethic and typifies someone who is innovative in his or her approach to park management.
Veteran conservationist and wilderness guru, Chief Warden Trygve Cooper, scooped the Welwitschia Award, while there were no runner-ups in the category.
Lifetime Achievement Award
The night belonged, however, to retired Principal Ranger, Chrispin Chezabulyo, who spent nearly 30 years in Caprivi Region. Hon Minister Nandi-Ndaitwah handed him a trophy and certificate, along with a symbolic walking stick carved by one of Caprivi Region’s best known wood carvers from Bukalo.
For next year’s MET Field Staff Awards, MET field staff are encouraged to start nominating their peers whom they feel deserve one of these prestigious awards.
For more information contact SPAN Project intern Augustine Ganes at telephone number 061 2842579 or send an email to: augustine@span.org.na
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