25 MAY 2018, PLATINUM BUSHVELDER Tel: 081 309 3876 / 072 026 0414, Fax: 011 252 6669, E-mail: [email protected] / [email protected] P03 A woman at the frontline of conservation Limpopo – At 32 years old, Lucrescencia When asked whether Lucrescencia thought motivation behind joining the ranger force. school at Completa de Shambuli, then Macuacua is one of three women who not that she would be able to successfully She said: “I needed an opportunity to get secondary school at Escola Secondaria. only completed this year’s ranger training complete the course, she said, “I was employed, but I also wanted to honour my $IWHU VFKRRO VKH FRPSOHWHG D FHUWL¿FDWH course in Limpopo National Park but mentally prepared to succeed when I mother who loved animals. She named her in Wildlife Management at Instituto Medio passed with the second highest score in applied for this job and had the courage to cat after me. It has always been my desire de Fauna e Ecoturisme Armando Guebuza her class. make it work.” to honour her.” and then started her university education. This is no small achievement considering During the course she was injured, but When Lucrescencia was 14 years old, “I have 23 courses passed already and I that the course is known to be one of the this did not discourage her at all, “The her mother, who took care of her family wish to complete my studies, but for now toughest, most challenging and male by selling tomatoes and vegetables in I would like to focus on the job that I have dominant ranger training courses on offer. training was not what I expected. The Maputo, passed away. “Her wish was that just acquired for which I am so grateful”. Having completed a ranger training course interview session was easy as I knew most my sister and I attend a multiracial school. Of the three women who have now presented by the Southern African Wildlife RI WKH DQVZHUV EXW WKH SK\VLFDO ¿WQHVV She always encouraged us to go to school. successfully graduated as rangers, College and supported by the Limpopo assessment was a challenge, especially When she died I wanted to realise her wish Lucrescencia and another ranger will be National Park anti-poaching units, she and when I got injured. I gained courage when for us to all attend school and be educated.” deployed to Limpopo National Park and her fellow ranger graduates now stand 7KLV ZDV QRW DQ HDV\ GUHDP WR IXO¿O whilst the remaining female ranger will be ready to take on the role as guardians of the instructors made me an example of Lucrescencia’s father did not like the idea posted in Banhine National Park. Mozambique’s conservation areas. persistence and courage to others. When of his daughter getting an education. After Across southern Africa, thousands of men From the more than 400 applicants, 154 ZH FDPH RXW VHFRQG RQ WKH ¿QDO GD\ LQ her mother’s passing, she and her sister and women step up every day to protect Mapai it gave me even more courage.” individuals were interviewed from which ¿UVW OLYHG ZLWK WKHLU QHLJKERXUV DQG WKHQ the critical resources and natural heritage 120 were selected to go through gruelling It was during the last day of the selection with her aunt in Mafuyane, Inhambane. contained within the region’s conservation mental and physical testing for a week. week when the candidates were split into “We helped her sell beans and peanuts so areas. Within an environment where so Lucrescencia was one of the top 40 HLJKW JURXSV DQG JLYHQ D ¿QDO WHVW ZKLFK that we can survive, we also had to collect much focus is currently being placed students selected to complete the rest of the involved a 17km run. The last 5km of the water with 20l (buckets) and sold it in the on the implementation of conservation course which focused on both the practical run was a casavac (casualty evacuation) neighbourhood so that we could buy books technologies and innovation, let us not and theoretical aspects of anti-poaching exercise that simulates carrying a wounded and go to school.” forget that there is no substitute for the operations, such as patrolling, road-blocks, colleague. Realising her mother’s dream of a formal passion and drive of the rangers, such as gate controls and arrest procedures. Lucrescencia’s bravery stems from her education, Lucrescencia attended primary Lucrescencia, who hold the front lines.

From left: Limpopo National Park project manager, Peter Leitner and RSHUDWLRQVPDQDJHU(ULF0DGDPDODZLWK/XFUHVFHQFLD$OEHUWR0DFXDFXD Dórcia Smione Mongoé and Gilda Jorge Chitlango, who are the only three female students to complete the course. Lucrescencia is one of the top three students in her class. Man met mes gesteek tydens plaasaanval Bela-Bela – Christo Janse van Vuuren en sy vrou is op hul plaas, Marula Oase buite Bela-Bela, oorval deur vier verdagtes op Dinsdag, 22 Mei sowat 4uur die oggend. Een van die aanvallers was gewapen met ‘n mes. Christo het geraas op sy stoep gehoor en uitgegaan om te kyk wat aangaan. Hy is aangeval en gesteek. Geen besittings is geroof nie. Christo is hospitaal toe gehaas. Geen verdere inligting was beskikbaar teen saktyd nie.

Thabazimbi : Swartklip : Northam : Ellisras (Lephalale) : Mogwase : Moruleng Lucrescencia Macaucua expressed the appreciation of the rangers for the opportunity. From left: Lucrescencia Macuacua with Gilda Chitlango and Dórcia Mongoé, displaying their newly aquired skills during a pass-out parade. BUSHVELDER

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