Meet our Region Team Leaders 

I am a 15 year old young lady from Gauteng. My passion for wildlife photography & conservation led me to start the Young Wildlife Photographers group in June 2021. I am a SANParks Junior Honorary Ranger and have completed my FGASA Junior course. 

My wildlife & conservation achievements, so far, include winning Overall Jnr Creative Arts (Photography) at Talent Africa in 2021, Overall Snr Creative Arts (Photography) at Show your Talent 2021 and most notably being a keynote speaker at the International Women’s Blaze Trails symposium celebrating women in science, exploration and conservation in February 2022.

I photograph wildlife because our wildlife is under enormous threat and I can capture moments in time while the animals are still alive and I can keep hold of and share the memories that others may never get to experience first hand.

In doing so, I get to share the beauty of nature with others so that they are able to see it through my passion for photography.

I am 17 years old and from Gauteng. I have had a passion for wildlife my entire life and took up photography in July 2019I am also a SANParks Junior Honorary Ranger in my 4th year. Some of my other hobbies include golf, cycling and more recently birding. 

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My favorite animal to photograph is the leopard because of their unique mysterious personalities, beauty, as well as their elusiveness. My favorite destination without a doubt is the vast tract of diverse bushveld, the Kruger National Park, for reasons that could fill an entire book.

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Our wildlife is under continuous threat, and so by photographing these animals in the wild, I can create everlasting memories as well as create awareness to hopefully make an impact on people by showcasing our beautiful wildlife especially to my peers.

I hope to carry this passion throughout my life and hopefully inspire many others along the way.

My name is Mark Heystek, I'm 19 years old. I am from George in the Western Cape and my Life's an Adventure. Since a young lad I've felt called to be a barefoot birding bush boy, but now biobashing and striving to be a Zulu-boer also fits in there.

Receiving the BLSA Owlet Award 2021, being a member of BotSoc, featuring on 50|50 for discovering a new bug species and hosting the Birding Life Youth Podcast are great opportunities that have come my way. I'm trying to grow Life Adventures outdoor club in the Garden Route, guiding family-friendly stappies into nature on our doorstep.

My "snaps" of wildlife primarily go towards iNaturalist but Adventure videography is another passion of mine. The song's of Johnny Clegg & David Kramer come along on all Adventures.

With this said, I cannot see myself working anywhere but in The Bush.

My name is Justin Ponder, I am a 18 year old from the Garden Route region of the Western Cape. I was 7 years old when I first went to the Kruger Park, and since then I have been hooked on nature! 

When I was 12, also on a trip to the Kruger, I picked up Birding and after a few years, botany, arachnology, herping, and occasionally lepidoptery.

Birds remain my main interest though.I picked up photography to document my findings, which I upload to iNaturalist as a means of citizen science.I am a huge conservationist and help wherever I can with Birdlife South Africa and Botsoc (CREW).

In 2021, I was awarded the Owlet Award by Birdlife South Africa.When I’m not finishing up with school or going on some or other outdoor excursion, I work as a part time bird guide. 

My name is Luke Allen. I am 17 years old and from Salt Rock, Kwa-Zulu Natal. 

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My love for tthe bush started at a young age. My grandparents often took me to various Zululand reserves from the age of 7. This is when my love really started for birding and all wildlife.

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One of my biggest inspirations is definately Hugh Chittenden. he has spend many decades in the field studying and conserving birds across the country. 

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My favorite spot has got to be Mkhuze Game Reserve. It holds a very special place in my heart. My favorite area is the Sycamore Tree Forest where I walk looking for the Pel's Fishing Owl. My dream is empower communities through birding, guide across Africa and involve myself in the conservation of endangered habitats.

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Follow me on my journey, I'd love to share it with you

My name is Julia Bartman, I am 23 years old, I am currently working Manyoni Private Game Reserve in Kwa-Zulu Natal.

I grew up on a farm with my grandpa who loved birds and taught me all the things I know about birds today. I always enjoyed taking out my camera and coming back and showing him the birds I saw and him telling me all he knows. This is where my love for photography grew and only got stronger when I started as a field guide.

Shani Preller inspires me so much. Shani was my trails guide instructor and has always inspired me for her passion and love for nature. Shani taught me how beautiful it is to be in the presence of animals without being noticed and truly living in the moment without disturbing what’s around you.

My favorite subjects to photograph has definitely got to be birds, the reason why is because they are a challenge to photograph and it’s where my love started. I am originally from the Eastern Cape so my favorite place to take photos is Addo Elephant National Park, as well as Sibuya Game Reserve as they are based on the river and the bird life is amazing.

My current photography gear is the Nikon z50. I already have my dream job, but something I have always enjoyed is track and signs and I would love to be part of the K-9 unit to assist with tracking.

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