Celebrating Growth

Posted on Wed August 27, 2025.

This year has been filled with exciting changes at Cango Wildlife Ranch. We have welcomed new team members, celebrated well-deserved promotions, and seen students and casual workers step into permanent positions. Each story reflects dedication, growth, and a deep passion for wildlife and conservation. Our Ranch family has grown stronger than ever.

We are proud to celebrate the following staff members who have taken on new titles and responsibilities in 2025:

Students and Casual Workers Promoted to Permanent Positions

 

  • Montay Arries – Maintenance Assistant (10 March) 
  • Hermanus Ekstraal– Animal Assistant (10 March) *unavailable for a photo
  • Lesley Ann Jelander– Animal Assistant (01 May) 
  • Pippa Fourie – Animal Caregiver (01 June) 
  • Jackie Coltman – Kitchen Assistant (04 June) 
  • Yulan Kuyler – Wildlife Guardian (01 August)
  • Jennifer Barnard – General Cleaner (07 August) 
  • Jonathan Menzies – Wildlife Guardian (15 August)

Staff Promotions 

  • Dedré Rupping – Zoological Manager (01 May) 
  • Navin Winster – Head Wildlife Guardian (01 May)
  • Garrett Eriksen – Academic Programme Coordinator (01 May)
  • Pieter Hall – WAV Manager (01 July)
  • Jacques Coetzee – Assistant Maintenance Manager (28 July)
  • Zizipho Mey – Maintenance Admin Assistant (01 September)
  • Allan Plaatjies – Team Lead Maintenance (01 September) 

New Employees

  • Arno Engelbrecht – Feed Coordinator (09 March) 
  • Mandla Diamond– Maintenance Supervisor (05 May) 
  • Tsepiso Marenene – Assistant Curator of Sustainability (01 September) 
  • Vivian Hendricks – Team Lead Maintenance (01 September) 
  • Lu-Shane Uithaler – Team Lead Maintenance (01 September) 

Each of these individuals plays a vital role in the daily care of our animals, the smooth running of our operations, and the continued success of our conservation and education efforts. Their growth reflects the values we hold dear; dedication, passion, and commitment to making a difference.

To our newly promoted and newly appointed team members, congratulations. We are proud of your achievements and excited to see all that you will accomplish in your new roles.

Further Reading

When Words Matter Most Fri June 26, 2026

In the weeks following the devastating floods that impacted Cango Wildlife and the Greater Oudtshoorn community, support arrived in many forms. Volunteers rolled up their sleeves. Businesses donated supplies. Friends offered encouragement. Then came an unexpected message from South African motivational poet and storyteller, Fanie Walkenshaw better known as Left Sleeve. Having followed the impact of the floods, Left Sleeve reached out to Cango Wildlife with a simple but heartfelt offer. He...

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Collaboration At The Heart Of Klein Karoo Tourism Fri June 26, 2026

Every memorable visitor experience is built upon a network of passionate people, unique attractions, welcoming accommodation, exceptional food, and businesses that believe in promoting not only themselves, but the destination as a whole. It is this spirit of collaboration that formed the foundation of the recent Big Tree Marketing Educational, hosted by Cango Wildlife in partnership with Oudtshoorn & De Rust Tourism. Held on 23 June 2026, the evening brought together leading...

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Conservation Begins With Community Fri June 26, 2026

Protecting wildlife means protecting the ecosystems they depend on, supporting the communities that live alongside them, and inspiring people to become ambassadors for the natural world. True conservation recognises that people and nature are deeply connected, and that caring for one inevitably means caring for the other. During their recent educational programme at Cango Wildlife, students from Loop Abroad experienced this connection firsthand. While their time in South Africa was centred around...

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