30 July 2019 

The Minister of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries, Ms Barbara Creecy, will lead the World Ranger Day commemoration at the Ranger Memorial at the Kruger Gate to the Kruger National Park on 31 July 2019. 

Minister Creecy will be joined by the Chief Executive of SANParks, Mr Fundisile Mketeni, senior members of the SANParks management and traditional leaders at the wreath laying ceremony and formal commemoration. 

World Ranger Day commemorates rangers killed or injured in the line of duty, and celebrates the work rangers do to protect the world’s natural and cultural treasures. The Day is observed annually on 31 July.  

South Africa annually joins countries around the world in reflecting on the courage of, and sacrifices made, by rangers  -- by honouring fallen rangers and standing with those rangers who continue to bravely undertake their role on the frontline every day. 

Game and field rangers stand up to poachers almost daily as they battle to end the decimation of wildlife species, ranging from the poaching of rhino and abalone to the illegal removal of plants such as cycads and Proteas. But, their role is also to conserve our precious, endangered and varied biodiversity.  World Ranger Day also gives pause to celebrate this role of the ranger. 

The first World Ranger Day was observed in 2007 on the 15th anniversary of the founding of the Interantional Rangers Foundation. South Africa is a member of the Game Rangers’ Association of Africa (GRAA), an associate of the IRF. 

Media are invited to attend. 

Details are as follows: 

Date:  31 July 2019 

Time: 09:30

Venue: Rangers Memorial, Kruger Gate, Kruger National Park 

To RSVP contact: 

Eleanor Momberg, Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries on 083 400 5741 or emomberg@environment.gov.za 

Or 

Sesane Mabuza, SANParks at 013 735 4000 or sesane.mabuza@sanparks.org

For media inquiries contact:

Albi Modise
Cell: 083 490 2871