March brought several immersive opportunities for our Future Rangers, including a first-of-its-kind experience for six of our Grade 12 students. The dynamic group of female leaders spent a weekend at Selati Nature Reserve, job shadowing the Wildlife Research Team. Over two nights at the reserve’s volunteer camp, they were introduced to the intensive, science-based management of a 27,000-hectare “closed system” reserve. This pilot trip proved to be deeply valuable, both for the students and for our broader mission.

The group participated in daily game drives with a purpose. Using iPads and a specialized app, students recorded wildlife sightings, including the number of animals, their condition, and behaviour. Each student took a turn capturing the data – an activity that required careful observation and encouraged more thoughtful engagement with the environment than the usual passive observer role of a conventional game drive. Pricillia sits in the front seat as she confidently takes control of the iPad.

The Future Rangers also worked through footage from camera traps located throughout the reserve. For several students, this was their first time working behind a desktop computer. The footage offered a unique look at seldomly-seen wildlife, such as bush pigs and honey badgers, while also showing the role that technology and data management play in modern conservation work. For some, the idea of contributing to conservation from an office rather than out in the field sparked new interest in potential career paths.

The highlight of the trip was undoubtedly the on-foot encounter with a male cheetah on a kill. Nicorate, from Mahlale High School, used a telemetry device to help track the animal’s location, a task she took on with great enthusiasm. Once the approximate location was found, the group quietly approached and spent time observing the cheetah, who remained calm and unfazed by the human presence. This experience is undoubtedly etched into each Future Ranger’s memory forever.

The weekend also included a practical introduction to drone technology and its role in monitoring wildlife and reserve management. The students left with a deeper understanding of the many ways people contribute to conservation – from fieldwork and data collection to analysis and technology.

This experience was made possible by the continued support of our donors and the valuable partnerships with organisations such as Selati Wilderness Foundation. Collaborations like this provide meaningful exposure to conservation in action and help prepare the next generation of environmental stewards.

We have successfully completed five Kruger National Park day trips in 2025. This month, the Mahlale and Sokisi High School Explorers eagerly embarked on their respective excursions, rewarded with incredible sightings of elephants, lappet-faced vultures, wild dogs, and hyenas. A heartfelt thank you to our valued conservation partner, Kendra Carano, for contributing her excellent photography skills to capture the day’s highlights.

A standout surprise of the day was the delicious lunch, generously provided in partnership with the Cattle Baron restaurant in Satara. Quintessential South African cuisine was served, giving the students a chance to reflect on their incredible sightings while sharing another rare and meaningful “first time” experience: dining out with friends.

Siyabonga Tivana, Siyabonga Ngwenya, Senky Mnisi and Khensile Ngobeni from Sokisi High School – looking satisfied indeed!

ShareScreen Africa and GCC have partnered to deliver online information sessions exploring the many career paths available to our Future Ranger Graduates (Grade 12s) after high school. The ShareScreen Africa team connects universities, scientists, researchers, technical specialists, and conservation experts with our promising Future Rangers by hosting insightful webinars.

The first ShareScreen session was presented to each of our Grade 12 students who are preparing to apply for tertiary studies in 2026. The focus topic was how to go about pursuing Environmental Sciences at the Tshwane University of Technology. The next session will explore opportunities offered in the guiding industry through FGASA. This is a fantastic addition to the program and marks the beginning of a fruitful long-term partnership!

With the first of four terms complete, here’s a special mention of our top performer from each school:

Help us continue to provide transformative experiences for students like Boithabiso, Owami & Nwayitelo…

For $20 a month, you can support a student to enroll in the Future Rangers Program, which covers conservation lessons, dedicated career guidance, field trips, overnight experiences, transportation, meals, and access to our digital learning platform, Vumba.

Supporting the Future Rangers Program not only impacts these young conservationists but also gives you access to exclusive updates on their progress, both in the classroom and on the ground, where they experience the wonders of wildlife firsthand.