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

A Little Piece Of Africa, Forever Wed September 30, 2026

Some memories are captured in photographs. Others come home with you in a slightly more permanent way. For Australian volunteers Jamie, Hayley and Jess, and Cango Academy student Zenny, their time together in the Klein Karoo was marked with an experience they will quite literally carry with them forever.

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From Cango To Kruger: Sharing The Story Of Project ZOA Wed September 30, 2026

Cango Wildlife CEO Douglas Eriksen recently took Project ZOA to a new audience, delivering the keynote address at the 18th NRF-SAEON Graduate Student Network Indibano in Hazyview, Mpumalanga, on 16 September 2026. The South African Environmental Observation Network (SAEON), a research platform of the National Research Foundation, brings together scientists working across South Africa’s terrestrial, marine, freshwater and atmospheric environments. Its Graduate Student Network connects Master’s and PhD researchers from across the...

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Planting For The Future: Arbor Month Takes Root At Cango Academy Wed September 30, 2026

The final day of Arbor Month brought with it a fitting moment of growth at the newly opened Africa Skills Cango Academy, as representatives from the Garden Route District Municipality joined the Cango team for the handover and planting of indigenous trees. The Garden Route District Municipality donated 35 indigenous plants, comprising 20 Karee trees and 15 Spekboom, to be planted at the Academy. The initiative formed part of Arbor Month and...

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