Louis Willemse and Joslin Bauer proudly pose with their group of FGASA graduates.
FGASA recently attended the graduation of 12 exceptional nature guides from the Western Cape. The project was co-ordinated by Avitourism Project Manager Andrew de Blocq as part of the activities of the BirdLife South Africa’s Empowering People Programme, headed by Nandi Thobela. The FGASA accredited course was facilitated by FGASA Training Provider Louis Willemse and colleague Joslin Bauer, on behalf of BirdLife South Africa.
The trainees were selected from Khayelitsha and Mitchell’s Plain and stayed at Haarwegskloof Nature Reserve in the Overberg for the duration of their course. The graduation was hosted by the De Hoop Collection and attended by several invited guests, lecturers and sponsors. Guest speakers Michelle du Plessis (FGASA) Dr Isabel Human (BirdLife South Africa) and Ele Tshikovhi (ACSA) delivered words of encouragement as part of the ceremony. The graduates stunned the audience with their moving speeches and beautiful singing.
Dr Isabel Human (BirdLife South Africa), Michelle (FGASA) and some of the women who graduated (above).
FGASA is extremely proud of these newly qualified guides. The graduation was curated by the students and the standard of results, exemplary. A huge thank you goes to Louis who continues to train nature guides, against all odds and also to BirdLife South Africa for its support of FGASA. Well done and we wish the newly qualified guides all the best for the future.