WESSA - 90 Years of People Caring for the Earth

Growing up with a passion for conservation, I used to look forward to reading African Wildlife magazine in particular the articles written by Dr Keith Cooper. Little did I know that many years later I would take over his position as National Director of Conservation at WESSA. After spending close on 16 years in the Kruger National Park, firstly, as a field assistant doing carnivore research, then as a Wilderness Trails ranger and later promoted to a senior section ranger, ensured that I had a good practical conservation grounding. WESSA had also supported the concession process in the Kruger National Park, which had been fairly controversial because many people did not understand the concept and felt that the Kruger National Park was being sold off. I ended up being the general manager of Jock Safari Lodge, the first concession to be granted in the Kruger National Park. I left the Lowveld and spent two years lecturing a Game Ranging and Lodge Management Diploma course at Damelin in Durban. I responded to a newspaper advertisement where the WESSA position was advertised and was granted an interview with the then CEO, Malcolm Powell. I was offered the position and asked to attend the annual planning session at the end of January 2006, even thoughIwasonlystartingat thebeginning of February 2006. Just by chance I was seated next to Andy Gubb who was the Western Cape Regional Manager at the time. Malcolm had started the proceedings by announcing that they had filled the post for the National Director of Conservation and he wanted to introduce the new candidate. Andy was mumbling saying that he wondered why he had not been consulted and was wondering which idiot had been appointed. When Malcolm mentioned my name the “idiot” sitting next to Andy got to his feet to be introduced to the WESSA staff. This definitely broke the ice and Andy and I worked closely together for many years that followed. It was such a privilege to have this opportunity and being able to move a passion for CONSERVATION By Bryan Havemann 2006 - 2010

22 | 90 years of people caring for the earth

23 | 90 years of people caring for the earth