Node update - November 2005

SAEON Ndlovu Node

Joe Sibiya started work on 1 October 2005 as the Environmental Science Outreach Officer for the Ndlovu Node. His responsibilities include the development and implementation of a plan of extra-curricular environmental science for learners (grades 9 to 12), as well as a plan to develop science educators.

Joe has over ten years experience as a high school teacher in biology, over five years active involvement in the Programme for Technological Careers (PROTEC) as well as having worked in the commercial sector. He is actively involved in community affairs in both Lulekani, his home in Ba-Phalaborwa, as well as more widely in the Lowveld extending as far as Bushbuck Ridge. In addition he is an honorary ranger of the Kruger National Park (KNP).

One of the immediate and important drivers of environmental change in the KNP is elephant. As SAEON is involved in monitoring environmental change as well as promoting the drivers of this change, Node Manager Dr Dave Balfour has been involved in assisting KNP scientific services staff in developing the monitoring and research programmes focused on the elephant population in the Park.

The construction of the new SAEON Ndlovu Node Offices is showing good progress despite certain small delays. Occupation should be possible early in 2006. In a slight twist of fortune the dry conditions being experienced by the region is beneficial to rapid completion of the project as there are very few delays due to rain days.