National Women’s Day in South Africa is celebrated annually on the 9th of August. Women’s Day not only celebrates the strength and resilience of women but also their impact and contribution to the country and our society as a whole. In South Africa, Women’s Day forms part of Women’s Month where we pay tribute to incredible women who have paved the way and laid the foundation to empower women and strive for gender equality.
This year’s theme is powerful. It’s “Generation Equality: Realizing Women’s Rights for an Equal Future”.
Kapama Private Game Reserve is proud of the role we play in empowering women in the very male-dominated industry of Field Guiding.
During this Women’s Month, we honour and pay tribute to our proud female Field Guides pioneering the path forward for other women to follow. All across Africa female guides are breaking barriers and challenging stereotypes by moving into a male-dominated industry.
In our Field Guiding team, we would like to introduce you to Liezel Holmes our Safari Manager who has been in the industry for over 17 years.
Included in our team is Queen Manyike, a young guide from the local community – Acornhoek, which surrounds Kapama Game Reserve. Let’s find out a bit more about Queen,
“My name is Queen Manyike and I’m 26 years young, I’m from Acornhoek Mpumalanga in the rural areas of Tintswalo village, I’m a proud female Field Guide, currently working at Kapama Private Game Reserve at River Lodge. Nature is my passion. Growing up visiting my father in the Klaserie Private Nature Reserve Headquarters and attending Eco Children’s holiday workshops enhanced this passion and appreciation a lot. I want to see myself grow in this industry and become a professional photographer and Field Guide and inspire other young women out there to follow their passion as anything is possible.”
Liezel together with Queen were both featured in Hi-Tec SA’s “Against the odds” campaign. Women who are passionate about the outdoors. It’s a campaign inspired by South Africans who are constantly pushing the limits of their capabilities. Incredible people who are proving over and over what the human spirit is able to overcome when one’s head is in the right place. Watch the full clip here