Our Rangers

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

Pumba Private Game Reserve is home to a unique group of young dynamic individuals, who all have a common interest in nature and conservation, whether they have individually studied it as a career, or who have established an interest in conservation while operating as professional Field Guides. All of Pumba Private Game Reserves Rangers are affiliated with the Field Guides Association of South Africa who uphold a high degree of professionalism, by setting very high standards of grades, of which all of our Field Guides are striving to obtain. The standards vary from the Local Guide Qualification to Level 3 Trails Guide, Field Guides wanting to become more specialist can further their careers by doing the Specialist Skills and Knowledge professions in Dangerous Animals, Birding and Flowers. All the Field Guides and the reserve benefit by having an onsite National Field Guiding Assessor, ensuring that a high degree of professionalism is maintained.

It is an exciting era to be apart of for our Rangers. The world is ever changing, with the boom in the human population, global warming, and the never ending story of species extinction. All play a vital role in conservation on the reserve, and within our communities bordering us. Rangers are allocated interesting research projects to do, which not only benefit the reserve, but well known International Institutes such as the Avian Demographic Unit, The South African Botanical Institute and the Fitzpatrick Institute of Ornithology, to name a few. In between game drives and additional guest activities, each ranger is out in the field wanting to make a difference, in ensuring our reserves flora and fauna prosper.

As the months go by at Pumba Private Game Reserve, review the Conservation Departments quarter monthly update, which has been prepared by the Conservation Manager and the Reserve Director for your interest.

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-pearse Richard was born in Zimbabwe where he lived with his family for 9 years, before they transferred to South Africa. Having done most of his schooling in the Eastern Cape at St. Andrew’s College in Grahamstown, Richard persuade his first move in working towards becoming involved in Conservation, where he got a degree in Nature Conservation through the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, based in George.
Since then Richard has obtained his Honours in Nature Conservation, and wants to further this degree into a Masters and Doctorate. Pumba employed him in 2007 as a mentor to the Field Guides, developing them in their professions, and now he fulfils the responsible role of the reserves Conservation Manager. Richard has been involved in the Field Guiding and Conservation Industry for 12 years. His love for wildlife and conservation was embedded during his child hood years, through being exposed to reserves in Tanzania, Kenya, Botswana, Uganda and South Africa. Richard is an active member of the Field Guides Association of South Africa (National Assessor) and the Game Rangers Association of Africa. Richard thoroughly enjoys the physical work entailed in conservation management , as well as the daily challenges that nature imposes on him, he does it for Pumba and our future generations, ensuring that our last wild areas left in South Africa prosper. Richard apart from getting involved in all phases of conservation and guiding, is an avid photographer of wildlife, birds and scenery, and also enjoys sketching. If it is not fulfilling the creative side of his brain, then it is rock climbing and 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

zolani-mofu Zolani was born in the small town of Paterson in the Eastern Cape, adjacent to the Addo Elephant National Park, were he was educated up to high school. In 1997 Zolani was employed as a Shamwari Conservation Assistant, which is where his inspiration and interest in conservation started. Being an avid listener of music, and reading books, Zolani, as the reserves Chief Ranger, would like to further his development within Pumba by getting involved with Educational Programmes that will expose people to biodiversity conservation, and the environment, which is so vital for all.

Jonathan Pledger – Assistant Chief Ranger

Full name: Jonathan Alec Pledger

Date of birth: 18 August 1982

Place of birth: Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape, South Africa

Favorite animals: Predators especially leopard, insects, reptiles and birds

jonathan-pledger Jonathan was born and raised in Port Elizabeth, where he attended Alexander road high school where he matriculated in 2000, after which he studied for a marketing management diploma through Nelson Mandela University. His passion has always been nature, with a diploma in marketing behind him; he decided to follow his heart. He did his FGASA level 1 exam, a first aid course and an advanced off road driving course, after being employed by Pumba as a host. Almost four years later and still with Pumba Private Game Reserve Jonathan has done his trails guide exam. He has a good knowledge and experience in reptiles especially snakes. Jonathans passion for nature eminated from his father who is an avid birding enthusiast especially in raptor studies. Jonathan will be doing his FGASA level 2 exam in June, as he feels it is essential to keep learning. He also has a keen interest in birding and stargazing. Jonathan has been assistant chief ranger for the last 2 years.

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-manser Graham was brought up in the Cape Province, which has formed the foundation for his interest in nature and our wilderness areas. At a young age Graham was exposed to beautiful beaches and the African bush. After completing his schooling at Alexander road High in Port Elizabeth, he knew that pursuing a career as a Field Guide was his future. Graham has been exposed to many forms of guiding starting off on the rapids of the Orange River, to Overlanding in Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe. After being exposed to Southern Africa for 5 years, Graham is fortunate to be one of the few employees to have been with Pumba since it began, 5 years ago, and has born witness to endless game introductions, as well as actively getting involved with field work and guiding. He has chosen to further his career as a Field Guide by having recently acquired his Trails Guide qualification endorsing him to specialise in Walking Safaris, and looks forward to furthering his development with the Field Guides Association of South Africa

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-de-jager John grew up on a agricultural small holding outside Johannesburg, where he matriculated at St. Benedict’s College in 2005. John in his childhood times spent a lot of time in the bush with his family, which entailed visiting many of our countries beautiful National Parks, from the Cape to Mpumalanga. John’s childhood experiences, combined with his hobbies of photography, music and birding have given him good grounding to further his career in the guiding industry. Becoming a guide, for John, is only the first step in a long career out in the wild. He trained under the mentorship of Johan Fourie who is well known in the guiding and conservation industry, having represented SANParks for many years. John is currently looking into furthering his career in conservation by studying Environmental Management through
the University of Pretoria

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 Stuurman Nomawethu, being the last born in her family, was brought up in the little town of Alicedale which borders Pumba. Nomawethu was educated in Alicedale matriculating at the Hendrik Kanise High School in 1999. In 2000, Nomawethu pursued at Diploma at the Border Technikon in Marketing, which she looks forward to completing in the near future. Nomawethu is a very sporty woman, having received an award in 2002 as Best Ladies Cricketer in her province for the year. She first pursued a career in Guiding while working for the Police in Alicedale, which she accomplished through a bordering game reserve, where she obtained her FGASA Level 1 qualification, this opportunity was given to her though the Qhorha Project which later developed into the birth of the Bushman Sands Hotel. Nomawethu was the first qualified Xhosa female guide in South Africa. In 2007 she was welcomed into the Pumba Team, as a Field Guide. Nomawethu is now dealing with community development and social responsibilities, with the reserve working out in our surrounding local communities, assisting in bettering there living standards.

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 Vayo Gladman grew up on Langley Park Farm near Grahamstown, which is were he completed his primary school learning. He then furthered his education in Alicedale at Hendrik Kanise, were he received his Matric exemption. Gladman is an avid reader and represents the Pumba Pirates Football Team, which is sponsored and supported by Pumba Private Game Reserve. This grounding has enabled Gladman to associate with many people which he enjoys. In 2004 Gladman completed a Diploma in Tourism and has now joined up as a member of the Field Guides Association of South Africa, representing the team as a Local Guide, though he is very interested in progressing through the different levels provided by the association to develop into a fully qualified guide. Gladman has been employed at Pumba for 4years and currently fulfils the important role of monitoring the movements of the High Profile species of wildlife at Pumba, while he develops his skills as a Ranger. Gladman says, “I love working at Pumba, it is were I grew up, and an area I am familiar with, and this is were my love for nature developed. For me it is a pleasure to be up close to the animals. I am very honoured to represent Pumba as a member of the Conservation Department.”

UMZI WETHU RANGER DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM

The below mentioned individuals are a very special part of this young dynamic team of rangers, they have been given a new lease to life and have been given a great opportunity to work in an exciting reserve, through the partnership of the Wilderness Foundation and Pumba Private Game Reserve. Nkululeko, Vuyani and Portia were individually selected from bordering local communities, in a drive to upskill previously disadvantaged, or orphaned individuals. As mentioned earlier they all have been equipped with the required skills to fulfil their roles as Field Guides and Rangers, and are all permanently employed by Pumba following the success of their Internship Programme. They have been with Pumba for over a year, and are continually bettering themselves in their chosen professions.

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

vuyani-mjadu Vuyani was born in Somerset East in the Eastern Cape where he successfully completed his schooling. This is were Vuyani was first exposed to conservation where the schools were encouraged to uplift the living conditions of their local communities. On completing matric Vuyani was selected to join the Umzi-Wethu Wilderness Foundation Program where he studied “Resource Guardianship in Conservation” through the African Global Skills Academy based in Port Elizabeth. It was at the Conservation Academy where Vuyani was exposed to the practicalities of conservation and guiding, and through acquiring further knowledge under the mentorship program, he successfully completed his FGASA Level 1 accreditation.
After studying the theory in the Conservation, Guiding Industry, Pumba Private Game Reserve selected Vuyani for development into a Field Guide. Vuyani wants to develop further, by preparing himself to accomplish the FGASA Trails Guide qualification which will enable him to conduct Walking Safaris.

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 Ciki Portia Ciki was born in a small town called Pearston situated between Somerset East and Graaf-Reinet in the Eastern Cape, where she completed her matric. Portia studied alongside Nkululeko and Vuyani on the Umzi-Wethu Wilderness Foundation Program by being granted a learnership to study Nature Conservation and Field Guiding.
Having been brought up in rural surroundings, Portia has always had a love for nature. Pumba Private Game Reserve has provided the platform for her to develop as a Field Guide and encourage her further growth as she strives to complete her Level 2 FGASA later on in the year. Portia is an extremely outgoing person, who likes to learn and experience new things.