Biography
Anele Kumalo born in Mthatha, Eastern Cape, is currently a Stewardship Facilitator for South African National Parks (SANParks), work that focuses on establishing the new Grasslands National Park in the Eastern Cape. It is anchored on creating living landscapes, where people live in an existing National Park. Prior to his current position, Anele worked for the GKS Project in Jeffreys Bay, an experience that helped cut his teeth in biodiversity stewardship and extension support provision work with local landowners. Here he also conceptualised an environmental education programme that worked with local primary schools in the surrounding Jeffreys Bay area. With over three years of experience in Protected Area expansion work, he has gained an understanding of the complex relationship humans have with their surrounding natural environment and the benefits derived. Anele attained his BTech qualification in Nature Conservation from the Nelson Mandela University in George. During his time at the university, he was a student mentor and a Supplemental Instruction leader. This helped enhance his soft skills and capabilities in relating to people from various backgrounds. As a young conservationist, Anele has great ambitions growing in the field with a keen interest of knowledge exchange.