01/06/2025
𝗥𝘂𝗻𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗿𝗮𝗱𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗵𝗼𝗻𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗥𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆
A big shout out to Ndzalama Maluleke who is raising funds for the SANParks Honorary Rangers this . Ndzalama hopes her Race4Charity will honour the SANParks Rangers from her village near the Kruger National Park. She aims to “raise awareness of the challenges Rangers face, celebrate their contributions to conservation and community, and inspire others to support their cause.” Please support Ndzalama’s worthy cause here: https://ow.ly/m5U050W0Bba.
Here is her inspiring story:
“I grew up in a small village in Limpopo about 10 km from the Kruger National Park,” she tells us. “The park’s close proximity to our village—meant that many of the local men were recruited as Rangers. While this offered some economic relief to our rural communities, it was more than just employment. The men from our villages understood the terrain intimately; they grew up with the land, its rhythms, its dangers, and its beauty. For them, becoming a Ranger was not simply a job—it was a calling.”
“On bad days, it was not uncommon to hear tragic news of a neighbour, a relative, or a childhood friend who had been injured—or even killed—by a wild animal or in encounters with poachers,” she recalls. “But on good days, the village would be alight with pride over stories of bravery: a Ranger protecting a rhino herd from poachers, rescuing an injured elephant, or narrowly surviving a surprise encounter with lions. These stories shaped my understanding of courage and purpose.”
“For me, SANParks Rangers represent an extraordinary balance of valour, humility, resilience, and service. Their work is physically and mentally demanding, yet they remain steadfast—guardians not only of our country’s rich biodiversity, but also of a deeper heritage tied to land, memory, and community.”
“It is in honour of these the Rangers—that I am running the Comrades Marathon. This race, much like the work of a Ranger, demands endurance, discipline, and heart. Each kilometre I run is a tribute to their sacrifice, to their quiet strength, and to the legacy they leave behind. Through this journey, I hope to raise awareness of the challenges Rangers face, celebrate their contributions to conservation and community, and inspire others to support their cause.”
Funds raised for SANParks Honorary Rangers through Race4Charity go towards ranger support and K9 anti-poaching initiatives in our national parks.
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