World Ranger Day: A Call to Protect South Africa's Biodiversity
Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Dr Dion George, honours South Africa’s rangers and called for stronger support to help them protect the country’s rich biodiversity at a World Ranger Day event at Table Mountain National Park on Thursday July 31. With him is South African National Parks (SANParks) managing executive for Parks Property Senzeni Mokoena and with them is environmental monitor Du-wayne Philander, from Tokai.
Image: Fouzia Van Der Fort
In honouring rangers across the globe, Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Dr Dion George, called for stronger support to help them protect the country’s rich biodiversity, and highlighted crimes, including the illegal harvesting of abalone, poaching rhinos, succulent plant theft, and the culling of wildlife.
Rangers killed or injured in the line of duty were commemorated and celebrated for the work that they do to protect the world's natural and cultural heritage ,at Table Mountain National Park (TMNP) on Thursday July 31, on World Ranger Day.
"Today, we gather not just to celebrate our rangers, but to reflect on what their work demands, what it protects and what it deserves in return," said Dr George.
"Rangers do not just have a job. They have a calling. They stand on the frontline of climate resilience, economic survival, and environmental security," he said.
Pictured in front, from left, are South African National Parks (SANParks) Rangers Thembel Makhasi, Antonio Williams, and Katlego Poss.
Image: Fouzia Van Der Fort
Dr George said in recent months - hikers and residents raised real concerns about crime in Table Mountain National Park.
"Reports of attacks, theft, and intimidation have surfaced in what should be a safe and welcoming public space," he said.
He said that these problems could not be ignored.
"It is an open-access space, part of a city with deep social and economic divides. The safety issues reflect the wider crime problems in Cape Town and across South Africa," he said.
Lighting a candle in memory of park rangers who died or were injured in the line of duty. Pictured, from left, are South African National Parks (SANParks) board chairwoman Pam Yako, Karoo National Park field ranger Armond Nel, Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Dr Dion George, and South African National Parks (SANParks) Cape Region general manager Bongani Mnisi.
Image: Fouzia Van Der Fort
Dr George said that robberies peaked with 133 cases being reported in 2023; this fell to 57 cases last year, and 47 cases were reported in earlier this year.
"Theft followed similar patterns, with spikes in late 2023 and early 2025. These facts show that, while the risk is real, efforts to manage crime in the park are progressing," he said.
Dr George said he met with enforcement partners.
"I have asked tough questions and instructed SANParks to intensify safety efforts in the park. This includes visible patrols, increased presence, and meaningful community engagement," he said.
SANParks has increased its conservation staff by 43 percent over two years, raising the number of rangers in the park to 111.
The Sea, Air, and Mountain Special Operations Ranger Unit has grown from 18 to 40 rangers since 2021.
Dr George said last year the unit carried out 670 strategic patrols on land, 58 joint patrols with the municipality, SAPS, and community groups, and 71 rapid responses to safety incidents.
They conducted 105 marine patrols.
These efforts led to five arrests on land and seven at sea, including an arrest of a suspect linked to a dozen armed robberies in the park.
"But enforcement alone is not enough. We need cooperation across all levels of government, support from communities, intelligence-led policing, and a unified drive to reclaim public spaces. This park, and every SANPark, belongs to all South Africans. It must feel that way," said Dr George.
South African National Parks (SANParks) board chairwoman Pam Yako said rangers were expected to conserve the environment.
"We believe in SANParks that we are the custodians of the mountain on your behalf and also the world's behalf, because of the biodiversity that we have been endowed with as part of the Cape Floristic Kingdom," she said.
Ms Yako said the commemoration formed part of SANParks Vision 2040.
"By 2040 we would like to see a little more harmony, between what the aspirations of our communities are, the work of people in biodiversity and conservation, including other interests, community, economic and of course technology plays a critical role," she said.
Table Mountain National Park (TMNP) ranger Sergeant Peter Smith, field ranger Katlego Poss and field ranger Nosibulelo Magida.
Image: Fouzia Van Der Fort
New to being a ranger TMNP field ranger Katlego Poss, said that rangers today would like to stop fighting with visitors, cultural, traditional, and recreational park u.
He said that they have moved from ensuring that visitors adhere to the rules, to conservation, and that now they needed to take the "mountain to the people".
Mr Poss said Capetonians, especially the youth, need to understand the importance of biodiversity.
"If we understand each other, then we don't have to fight so," he said.
His colleague field ranger Nosibulelo Magida, from Delft, agreed with him.
"I did not know what I was going to study after matriculating. All I knew was I just did not want an office job but when I went university I learned this thing and I love it. I don't think about it as work," she said.
Ms Magida said their job was to ensure visitor safety, they have access and pay gate fees and are responsible for enforcement; keep the baboons away from the visitors.