More than 100 youth from Mpumalanga and Limpopo have successfully completed the Tourism Monitors Training Programme, giving them the opportunity to become employed at facilities managed by South African National Parks (SANParks).

Under the empowerment programme, the 106 youth received CATHSSETA-accredited (NQF level 2- 4) National Certificates in tourist guiding, nature conservation, new venture creation, project management and education training and development practices.

The programme – facilitated through an agreement between the Department of Tourism and SANParks – is part of the greater objectives of the National Tourism Sector Strategy (NTSS), which seeks to “ensure an adequately skilled and professional tourism workforce that is able to deliver a world-class visitor experience”. During the programme, learners are placed across all South Africa’s national parks to gain theoretical and workplace training.

Speaking at the graduation ceremony at the Kruger National Park’s Berg en Dal Rest Camp on February 21, Deputy Minister of Tourism Fish Mahlalela highlighted the significance of multi-sector partnerships in fast-tracking economic growth and in creating much-needed opportunities for the youth.

“The tourism monitors you see today are an extension of the critical services that are provided by various cross-cutting sectors of our economy that contribute to tourist safety, and an enhanced visitor experience. Our collaboration with SANParks has been impactful. Not only has it amassed benefits for the conservation community, but it has offered a lifeline to the youth in the communities that border our national parks,” said Mahlalela.

Since its establishment in 2019, the programme has seen 130 of the 259 enrolees being employed in national parks.

“Through this collaboration, we have invested in the youth who will safeguard our natural resources for the benefit of generations to come. We are extremely proud of our contribution to youth empowerment, but mostly in our efforts to usher in a new understanding on the importance of conservation, and the overall functioning of our national parks,” said SANParks Managing Executive, Oscar Mthimkhulu.

A graduate of the programme, Shedron Mukhumo, who has been placed as a SANParks research assistant, said the training had broadened his career horizons.

“The programme taught me a lot about the importance of conserving and preserving our natural resources for future generations. It has also has opened my eyes to a variety of opportunities that I didn’t know existed in tourism.”

The youth are encouraged to visit www.tourism.gov.za to learn more about the skills programmes currently being advertised in the sector.