Rural learners to benefit from landmark partnership

SOUTH African National Parks (SAN-Parks) and education nonprofit the Good Work Foundation (GWF) have signed a landmark agreement that will increase access to conservation education and skills training for young schoolchildren and jobseekers living near national parks.

- STAFF REPORTER

Under a memorandum of understanding, GWF plans to expand its digital learning campuses adjacent to key national parks across the country.

The organisation already operates five campuses in Mpumalanga, providing digital education to schoolchildren and skills-based training to young jobseekers, a central campus in Hazyview and four satellite campuses surrounding the Sabi Sands Game Reserve. There is also a campus in the Free State town of Philippolis.

SANParks, which manages 21 national parks, is partnering with GWF to bring this education and skills training model to rural and township communities near several parks, starting with the Greater Kruger National Park.

The partnership will be piloted at GWF's Hazyview campus, serving as a gateway hub to the Kruger National Park, where learners will gain digital skills, conservation knowledge and job opportunities. Additional campuses are planned to meet high demand in the Greater Kruger area.