Ntwanano has recently gone through the entirety of the FGASA Apprentice Trails Guide Programme and come out the other side having passed his FGASA Lead Trails Guide Practical Assessment with flying colours. In the year and a bit, it took him to achieve this qualification, he has grown immensely as a walking and vehicle-based guide. He has also gone on to achieve his CyberTracker Trailing Level II, (his Track and Sign Level I obtained whilst a student at the NJ More Field Guide College), and his Situational Awareness and Animal Behaviour knowledge increased ten-fold with his progress trailing. Tchagra Trails Wilderness Consulting was fortunate enough to be a part of Ntwanano’s journey towards becoming a FGASA Apprentice Trails Guide. Here is what Ntwanano had to say about his journey to this point:
Dating back all I can remember was I used walk around with my siblings going to the bush, and sometimes to fetch the goats…’ Ntwanano had to know the individual sound of each goat that belonged to his family. If one was lost, he had to track it via its spoor and sound. He had to know exactly where each goat liked to feed. ‘I constantly walked around barefoot, climbing trees and just always looking for a way to see far distances so I can see and locate where our goats were feeding.’
During secondary school, Ntwanano played sport and was involved in local poetry. ‘By this time, I had no idea about Bush School, or shooting, but then when I got to Varsity level, I ended up choosing Ecotourism Management…[after Safety Management was unavailable.] Every term, in each semester, we were given the chance to go to the reserve for three nights as guests. I liked how the Guides and Trackers were teaching us about bush life, about animals, trees, birds, insects, etc.’
Ntwanano was drawn to how the Guide and Tracker made it easy to understand the bush and he asked for their contacts, determined to finish his Ecotourism Management Course and work in the bush.
‘I told myself that I have to finish the course so [I] can become like those people working in the reserves. Just after the completion of my Varsity Diploma, I got an offer from NJ More Field Guide College under the Timbavati Foundation for six months theory and six months practical, where I met Mr. Rector Nkuna, who was also my facilitator at the college. [Mr. Nkuna] helped me to build my courage and self-esteem. He helped me ensure that I passed my exam with the extra mile he went each day making sure I learned something new. He taught me bush life and taught me all the tracks and signs, and tips on how to track. He would say, “Don’t drink water” when I lost the track. If I kneeled down to see the track on the trail, he would say, “Lift up your head and see into the distance” to check for some disturbance. I have taken all the tips and tricks he has taught me about tracking and also for walks. He did a great job ensuring that I got [to] where I am now.’
Ntwanano has been with Africa on Foot in the Klaserie Private Nature Reserve, part of the Lowveld’s APNR – Associated Private Nature Reserves – since 2023. He started as an Intern after his time as a student at NJ More Field Guide College as a bursary student, where he achieved his FGASA Nature Site Guide NQF2 Qualification, ARH and his 10 Mentored Hour Evaluation to enter in to the FGASA Apprentice Trails Guide Programme.
‘Africa on Foot Lodge is a place where you can do walks almost every day, so for me [being] here at Africa on Foot made me realise that I’m on the right track or direction. I joined as an Intern where it took me about a year and a couple of months before I could be assessed [toward FGASA Lead Trails Guide Practical Assessment at the end of the Apprentice Trails Guide Programme]. I would walk with different guides [and Mentors] who have been in the bush for quite some time.
I learned from all these people and take notes from them, practice on a daily basis while on walks. Africa on Foot is a great place, [it] helped me to understand where I need to improve… I would ask after every walk where I need to improve and in most cases the people [were] nice and they always see the positive in me, which encourages me to go forward and never look back. When there was a Workshop from FGASA [they asked me] to join the walk which was not easy because of the pressure, knowing full well I’m leading the experts of the bush.’
(The Workshop was the one of the Mentor Workshops for the updated Trails Guide Protocols. Ntwanano\s group was filled with many Industry stalwarts and senior guides. Not an easy group to put yourself out there so courageously.)
‘But then here I am. I managed to complete the hours and encounters required from me to be a fully qualified Trails Guide.’
Ntwanano, you did yourself proud on your Assessment, and the growth you have shown over the past year and a bit has been phenomenal. As a Mentor and Assessor, I am so happy at the walking guide you have become. You are skilled, humble, joyful and a someone I really enjoy being on foot with in the bush, tracking just a few of us or with clients on a wilderness experience. Keep climbing, this is what you are meant to be doing!
Well done Ntwanano, from all of us at FGASA!! Ntwanano has FGASA Nature Site Guide NQF2 and now has passed his FGASA Lead Trails Guide Practical Assessment after having completed all Mentored Hours and Encounters within the FGASA Apprentice Trails Guide Programme. This gives him the FGASA Apprentice Trails Guide Qualification, allowing him to walk clients on his ace. When he achieves his FGASA Field Guide NQF4 in the near future, he will automatically be called a Trails Guide.
Written by: Ntwanano Baloyi and Noelle van Muiden