Dear FGASA member,

We are faced with challenging times in the tourism industry with the COVID-19 pandemic affecting our lives and workplaces. All our guides, training providers, assessors, mentors, corporate members and staff are confronted with stringent limiting operational procedures in lodges and reserves across Southern Africa. FGASA empathizes with all of you and wishes you all the best during this tumultuous situation.

FGASA is adopting the recommended daily practices of sanitizing and social distancing etc. and will continue to operate during our office hours.  The office will function as normal but PLEASE NOTE, we will not receive or interact with any public in the offices. However, we will post as usual via postnet, but also set up pick up and drop off delivery boxes outside our office doors for books and paperwork. Please contact us should you wish to make use of this service. The staff will work in two teams to limit the amount of people in the office but will continue to function remotely as well, to ensure all emails and phone calls are dealt with.

The April exam has been postponed to the 6th of June 2020 and the remaining 2 sittings will go ahead as planned.  Please see the FGASA website for registration cut-off dates and exam dates.  If you were registered for the 18 April exam, please email either enquiries@fgasa.org.za or qualifications@fgasa.org.za with confirmation of your preferred date going forward.

We have escalated our digital development and are currently testing our live site which will alleviate a lot of administration to make it very easy for anyone to register and manage their profile. We are exploring online options for our training providers in support of training courses that have been postponed due to learners not being able to travel.

The ARH and Dangerous Game Protocols are finalised and the implementation process has started, so this is a good opportunity for all walking guides to hop on to the planned FGASA mentored walking opportunities. We are planning some mentored walks with our mentors and assessors who now have time available to walk small groups of guides. Naturally, should more restrictions be enforced, we shall re-look this. Details of same will be communicated in the next week or so.

Thank you for your co-operation and wish you all well during the next 2 months. Stay healthy and safe.

Warm regards

Michelle du Plessis and the FGASA Team

FGASA Managing Director