Meet the team

After working on a fair number of reserves across South Africa, I realised the need for properly managed and funded monitoring programs on reserves which had priority species. Following this Jo, Simon and I got together and established Wildlife ACT in Zululand in 2008.

Growing up in rural Africa, I have always been aware of the fact that wildlife conservation efforts and community development needs did not always meet. This is when I made the decision to leave the 9 to 5 world and help establish Wildlife ACT. You can call me Jo!

After completing a degree in Zoology at Stellenbosch University, I moved to Zululand where I was employed as a Black Rhino monitor. It was during this process that we noticed the need for the enhancement and outsourcing of existing monitoring programs, now called Wildlife ACT.

I was born in the old-world seaside suburb, Fish Hoek, Cape Town. Living in close proximity to the ocean, I was incredibly lucky to always have an interaction with nature and the outdoors. At the end of the day, I am motivated by my passion for conservation.

Nicole works for a wide range of types and sizes of organisation. She aims to provide a pragmatic and efficient service to all of her clients. She has been working for NGOs for 24 years, and has seen many changes in NGO legislation and the NGO environment, in that time.

I grew up in Minnesota, home of the great outdoors. Drawing upon 4 years in public policy research, a 25-year career in investment banking, and a decade of board service in the education field, I am fortunate now to spend more time on conservation issues I care deeply about.

Growing up in Cape Town with the mountains, valleys and ocean surrounding you, it is difficult not to have a real appreciation for the intrinsic value of nature. Inspired to ensure that the natural world continues to function, I embarked upon an adventure I’ve never looked back on.

Ever since a passionate, young female ranger took the 11-year-old me on an unforgettable night drive in the Kalahari, my eyes have been opened to the possibilities of my future and there was no turning back.

Since childhood I’ve had a powerful pull towards the wild. Growing up visiting reserves has been one of the most eye-opening experiences and has had a huge impact on my becoming a conservationist.

Born and raised in KZN, I grew up enjoying annual trips to local and national reserves with my family. With an innate love for the written word and animal kingdom, Wildlife ACT is the ideal space for me to use my skills for an exceptional cause.

I decided there was nothing else I would rather do than preserve our beautiful land and chose a career in Nature Conservation. My third year was a real eye-opener which I spent in Senegal.

A Capetonian now but a farm girl by heart. I grew up on a farm in the KZN Midlands and some of my fondest childhood memories are from my time in the Drakensberg. I'm an avid wildlife enthusiast and love being outdoors. Getting the opportunity to work for Wildlife ACT is hands-down a highlight...

I have been bookkeeping in the tourism industry most of my life, so it’s great to work for a company that employs this for such a great cause. This is definitely the greatest (and most interesting) job I have ever had and I’m gaining knowledge that I love sharing with my kids.

I have been working for Wildlife ACT since 2010, and I have come to know some amazing people over the years! Wildlife ACT is very lucky to have such incredible supporters. My husband and I are currently based at the Ranger’s Outpost in the remote Wilderness section of iMfolozi.

I joined the Wildlife ACT team in July 2014 after spending nine years as a winemaker on my family farm in Stellenbosch. I am particularly lucky to be a part of a rather large pack of African Wild Dogs.

After high school I volunteered with Wildlife ACT and could not believe that you could have a job where you spent your days out in the bush looking for Painted Dogs and other endangered animals. I loved the experience so much so that it motivated me to pursue a career in conservation.

I studied at the University of Pretoria and obtained my undergraduate degree BSc Zoology in 2015. The following year I obtained my postgraduate degree BSc (Hons) in Wildlife Management. South Africa is such a wildly beautiful country and I feel so lucky to live in the thick of it, whilst doing...

Since I've started at Wildlife ACT, I have already learned so much in my time here and my appreciation for nature and the great people I get to work with, has grown exponentially.

Thembani is one of Wildlife ACT’s most recent recruits. A knowledgeable and energetic coordinator, Thembani brings experience from the Greater Kruger landscape to the Community Conservation and Coexistence Programme.

I grew up next to a game reserve and listened with fascination to the stories my granny and father shared about the bush, but the decision to become a Rhino Monitor came to light when I was lucky enough to help with the introduction of Black Rhinos to a game reserve as part of the WWF Black...

Ever since I was a child, I have spent every moment dreaming of working in the bush. It’s very exciting for me be to be joining such an amazing team of people and I look forward to meeting you all along the way.

I am so passionate with my current career as a Priority Species Monitor thanks to Wildlife ACT. My dream has came true! Let's keep the good work rolling and save our precious species we have on earth.

How fortunate I am to have been given the incredible opportunity to work for an organisation I have spent so many years dreaming to be a part of. An organisation which is making a considerable difference each and every day in the conservation and preservation of endangered species.

After Volunteering at Shamwari Game Reserve and the Pre-Vet Program in Chintsa, I was ready to start my career in conservation. Wildlife ACT invited me for an onsite interview, and I jumped straight at the opportunity to work for the company and all the good they are doing.

After completing my MSc studying Black Rhino ecology, I joined Wildlife ACT to gain some real-world conservation experience. I completely fell in love with the team, the work and the bush and have never looked back!

My dream came true when I was offered the position with Wildlife ACT as their Conservation Training Course Coordinator and finally filled my need and longing to have a large impact in the conservation of our wildlife and natural world.

I’ve always been a bit wild at heart—drawn to paths less travelled and inspired by the beauty of the natural world. Being part of Wildlife ACT allows me to combine my love for writing with the mission to inspire meaningful action and conserve our incredible wildlife.

I was born in Hlabisa, a town in Northern KwaZulu-Natal (Zululand). I grew up and attended school there, after which I moved to Durban to study Public Relations through UNISA. Public Relations was not what I really wanted to do - my real desire was to work in the outdoors.

I have recently joined the Monitoring Team and I’m so happy to be part of Wildlife ACT. I've committing myself to having a positive impact on saving our endangered and priority species.

Close to the Drakensburg mountains, I grew up on a farm. This allowed me to be surrounded by animals, nature and adventure constantly. From a young age it was engrained in me that we must respect and love the land. This has largely shaped the person I am - it also sparked my love of animals!

After completing my diploma in Nature Management, I explored different career paths. I had the opportunity to gain great experience at a prestigious Safari Lodge, but it wasn’t until I applied to be a monitor for Wildlife ACT that I knew this is what I was destined to do!

Elsabé grew up in the Eastern Cape province following which, she pursued a BSc Biodiversity & Ecology at Stellenbosch University.

I was born in northern Zululand in the small town of Manguzi, KwaZulu-Natal. My homestead is situated just outside of Tembe Elephant Park, and I grew up waking up to the sounds of elephants trumpeting and the morning roars of lions.

Makhosi officially joined Wildlife ACT in 2019 under the guidance of a long-serving mentor in KwaJobe.

I completed FGASA level 2 and since I started this adventure, I have never looked back. I am proud to be a part of such an incredible team.

I became part of the pack in 2023 and it has been a truly eye-opening experience and has really highlighted the importance of being nature-connected.

Dumsile has been with Wildlife ACT since 2019, and plays a very important role within the Community Conservation Programme of the organisation.

Zime has been with Wildlife ACT since July 2023, firstly as an Intern where her love for nature and working with communities has grown, to her current employment as a Community Conservation Liaison based in Hlabisa.

Sboniso has been involved in conservation for many years. Even before joining the Wildlife ACT Team Sboniso had started a few of his own wildlife ambassador clubs. Here he teaches community members about conservation which involves discussing ways to encourage sustainability and reduce...

Nzuzo began his journey with Wildlife ACT as a conservation ambassador with the Candover Community Ambassador Club back in 2018 under his mentor, Zama Ncube.

Nhlakanipho joined the Wildlife ACT team at the end of 2022 as a Community Conservation Monitor, playing an important role in the Human-Wildlife Coexistence Programme.

I was lucky enough to have been born in Zululand to bundu-bashing parents who love to travel. Being piled into the back of a Land Rover with my brother and waking up in a different country is certainly a major highlight of my childhood.