Our Rangers

An introduction to the Conservation and Field Guiding Department of Pumba Private Game Reserve

All of the rangers at Pumba Private Game Reserve are affiliated with the Field Guides Association of South Africa. In addition to maintaining the highest levels of professionalism and efficiency, these rangers display a passion and energy that makes Pumba a particularly unique experience. Rangers and guides have various qualifications, including Local Guide Qualification and Level 3 Trails Guide.

In addition, Pumba Private Game Reserve encourages the furthering of their rangers’ education, and they can do the Specialist Skills and Knowledge professions in Dangerous Animals, Birding and Flowers. Thus, rangers are urged to improve their knowledge, experience and spectrum of interest on a continual basis. This benefits the safari lodges as well as international institutions like the Avian Demographic Unit, The South African Botanical Institute and the Fitzpatrick Institute of Ornithology. This knowledge is also shared with guests as they go on guided walking- and driving safaris. This educates outsiders and raises awareness regarding the personal responsibility we all have towards our environment.

To ensure that you get the most from our dynamic group of rangers, find out more about them:

Richard Pearse – Conservation Manager

Full name: Richard Walter Eric Pearse

Date Of Birth: 25 January 1977

Place of birth: Zimbabwe, Masvingo

Favorite animals: Avid birder, insects and the predators

Richard moved to the beautiful country of South Africa when he was only 9 years old. During his childhood, he was taken to several game reserves in Kenya, Botswana, Tanzania and South Africa, instilling in him a love for the fauna and flora of Africa. Having been educated at the well-respected St. Andrew’s College in Grahamstown, Richard went on to study Nature Conservation at the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University. He has since completed his Honours Degree in this course and plans to continue until he has a Doctorate. Richard has been with Pumba Private Game Reserve since 2007, when he acted as the Field Guide Mentor. Richard has well over a decade’s nature conservation experience, making him a valuable asset to any game reserve. When he is not working hard to help make Pumba the success that it is, he is photographing wildlife, sketching, rock climbing or running.

Zolani Mofu – Chief Ranger

Date of Birth: 12 May 1976

Place of birth: Patterson, Eastern Cape, South Africa

Favorite animals: Predators and high profile game

It was only when Zolani was employed at the esteemed Shamwari Game Reserve as a Conservation Assistant that he started to take a real interest in wildlife and the protection thereof. Today, he is Pumba’s Chief Ranger and is still striving to improve by participating in various educational programmes.

Graham Manser – Senior Ranger

Full name: Graham Craig Manser

Date of birth: 14 March 1980

Place of birth: Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa

Favorite animals: Predators and high profile game as well as frogging

Graham spent much of his childhood on the beautiful beaches and in the gorgeous bushveld of the Cape Province, which is where his love for the South African fauna and flora began. After matriculating from Alexander Road High School in Port Elizabeth, Graham acted as a guide on the Orange River rapids, in Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe. Since its establishment, Graham has worked at Pumba Private Game Reserve. This exposure to the growth and development of this reserve has enabled Graham to have a full understanding of and enthusiasm toward Pumba. Graham has qualified as a Trails Guide, specialising in Walking Safaris.

John De Jager – Ranger

Date of birth: 09 September 1987

Place of birth: Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa

Favorite animals: Predators, high profile game and birds

John enjoyed his childhood on a smallholding outside Johannesburg, spending much of his youth in the bush and visiting many of the parks and reserves in South Africa. He matriculated at St. Benedict’s College in 2005. Today, John is a guide, but he plans to further his education and experience so that he can continue a successful career in the nature conservation industry. His next accomplishment will be passing Environmental Management through the University of Pretoria. His passions lie in birding and photography, and John is sure to integrate these into his career.

Nomawethu Stuurman – Ranger

Full name: Nomawethu Lillian Stuurman

Date of birth: 6 February 1981

Place of birth: Alicedale, Eastern Cape, South Africa

Interested in all aspects of nature, as well as the local community interests

Nomawethu knows this part of South Africa well, having grown up just outside Pumba Private Game Reserve. She matriculated at Hendrik Kanise High School and then started studying Marketing through Border Technikon, for which she will receive a Diploma. While working as a police officer, Nomawethu qualified as a guide and got her FGASA Level 1 through a neighbouring game reserve. This was a fantastic opportunity, granted to her through the Qhorha Project. This project eventually evolved into the Bushman Sands Hotel. One of Nomawethu’s many accomplishments includes being the country’s first Xhosa female guide. Nomawethu started at Pumba as a Field Guide since 2007. Today, she works with the local community, aiding in its development and participating in social development initiatives.

Gladman Vayo – Tracker & Junior Ranger

Full name: Gladman Malusi Vayo

Date of birth: 10 June 1981

Place of birth: Grahamstown, Eastern Cape, South Africa

Interested in the High Profile Game, and smaller creatures of Pumba.

Gladman matriculated at Hendrik Kanise in Alicedale after a childhood spent on Langley Park Farm. In 2004, Gladman earned his Diploma in Tourism and is currently a member of the Field Guides Association of South Africa. His ultimate goal is to be a fully qualified guide. Gladman’s role at Pumba is to monitor the movements of the high-profile species. In addition, he represents the Pumba Pirates Football Team (sponsored and supported by Pumba Private Game Reserve).

UMZI WETHU RANGER DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM

Pumba Private Game Reserve has partnered with the Wilderness Foundation to give previously disadvantaged or orphaned individuals the opportunity to prosper in a meaningful and significant career. They were individually selected from the surrounding communities and have since been trained as field guides and rangers. After having completed an internship, Pumba employed these ones on a permanent basis. In addition to granting them a stable job, this has also allowed them to continue to improve themselves in terms of their career.

Nkululeko Mehlo – Junior Ranger

Full name: Nkululeko Mehlo

Date of birth: 04 June 1984

Place of birth: Bloemfontein, Free state, South Africa

Interested in the High Profile Game, and smaller aspects of Pumba

Vuyani Mjadu – Junior Ranger

Full name: Vuyani Lucian Mjadu

Date of birth: 14 February 1988

Place of birth: Somerset East, Eastern Cape, South Africa

Favorite animals: Predators – particularly hyaena

When Vuyani was at school, the pupils were taught about community living conditions and their responsibilities in ensuring that these were as healthy as possible. This opened his eyes and mind to his role in the protection of the environment. After matriculating, Vuyani was chosen to participate in the Umzi Wethu Wilderness Foundation Programme. As part of this, he studied Resource Guardianship in Conservation through the African Global Skills Academy (Port Elizabeth). Under the mentorship programme, Vuyani completed his FGASA Level 1 accreditation. Since working for Pumba, Vuyani continues to study and improve his career opportunities.

Portia Ciki – Junior Ranger

Full name: Portia Ntombozuko Ciki

Date of birth: 04 March 1989

Place of birth: Pearston, Eastern Cape, South Africa

Favourite Animals: Insects, and the High Profile Species

Portia completed her schooling in Pearston and was then granted a learnership to study Nature Conservation and Field Guiding. She studied with Nkululeko and Vuyani on the Umzi Wethu Wilderness Foundation Programme. Her love for nature started very early on in her childhood, not surprising considering that she grew up in rural conditions, close to the plant- and animal species around her. As a very outgoing person, Portia enjoys her job at Pumba as a Field Guide, as it enables her to mingle with people while exploring her love for her environment.