New Managing Executive of Kruger National Park

[Richprins]

Read earlier posts!

Mostly a race card thing, IMO.

[Lisbeth]

Do you mean the "children"?

[Peter Betts]

The "administrator of the page" is someone who has fired a few of us from the SP forums!

Hlaudi Voel

[Klipspringer]

Gareth Coleman became new managing executive of the Kruger National Park just before lockdown.

Here an article

https://www.pressreader.com/south-afric ... 4948847999

Interesting career
https://za.linkedin.com/in/gareth-coleman-0597622

[Lisbeth]

There are some strange considerations in this interview, but maybe they have been written in the wrong contest

He has no experience in conservation whatsoever, it is all about economical development

Strange that there has been no media release about this nomination on the SANParks' website and the article is from Sunday Times
As far as I know, there has not been anything in the SA media

Glenn Philips resigned a year ago.

[Klipspringer]

There is no doubt that it is fact, just look at the recent media statements, he is mentioned all over.

AN interview two days ago


Just strange that he was not officially introduced to the public, perhaps forgotten with all the COVID trouble

[Lisbeth]

I do not doubt that it is a fact, I only thought it strange that, as you say, there has been no official presentation

[Richprins]

Media Release: Departure of KNP Managing Executive

25 February 2022

South African National Parks (SANParks) on 22 February 2022 announced the departure of the Managing Executive Restructuring of the Kruger National Park (KNP), Gareth Coleman after completing his two-year term. He will leave the position in September 2022 after the Board approved a six-month extension to enable him to hand over to his successor.

The Acting Chief Executive of SANParks, Dumisani Dlamini made the announcement to staff through an internal memo and thanked Coleman for his contribution since assuming his position.

Coleman was engaged to stabilise the KNP and prepare a revised business model and strategy for the KNP. He took over when the country was in a total lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which impacted the timelines of his mandate.

Despite the lockdown, Coleman still managed to achieve the upgrading of KNP staff accommodation and undertook an extensive consultation process with employees and outside stakeholders on their role in the Park. This was all to inform them about a turnaround plan for the KNP which aims to keep its place among the best managed national parks in the world. The plan includes a new business model for the KNP and creating opportunities for businesses from communities adjacent to the KNP. He hosted successful roadshows which were well attended by both SMMEs and funding agencies to highlight opportunities in which they need to participate to revive the rural economy in their respective areas and thereby create job opportunities.

Coleman will spend the six-month extension of his contract finalising the strategy and ensuring a smooth handover to his successor.
Coleman expressed his gratitude at serving in the KNP, saying "it has been a privilege and an honour to serve SANParks in driving change in one of the greatest destinations and national parks in the world. When I arrived I had no illusions about what could be achieved in two years and my aim was always to try and get everyone looking forward and in the same direction, this despite it being a difficult period to lead as a result of the pandemic. I will use the final six months to work with management and employees to finalise a business model and organisational structure which will ensure the ongoing sustainability of the Park in a more participative, green and inclusive manner," concluded Coleman.

Issued by:
South African National Parks (SANParks) Corporate Communications

Media enquiries:
Reynold "Rey" Thakhuli
SANParks Acting Head of Communications
Tel: 012 426 5203 Cell: 073 373 4999 or email: rey.thakhuli@sanparks.org

Isaac Phaahla
GM: Communications and Marketing, KNP
Tel: 013 735 4363, Cell 083 673 6974 or email: Isaac.phaahla@sanparks.org

[Lisbeth]

How can you fix something which has been falling to pieces, physically and mentally, over the last decade in only two years