Our late President, Nelson Mandela declared 10th August would be celebrated as Women’s Day. This has been extended to use August to engage with women who work in what could be seen as male-dominated industries. To wrap up the month, these are edited versions of the interviews I conducted with female guides on behalf of FGASA.
I started with Michelle du Plessis, Managing Director of FGASA about her role in the guiding industry.
D.B: Tell us about Michelle in Grade 12? Did you know what you wanted to do? Or did your career path have many twists and turns?
MdP: I never really knew my exact path but working with people and travel always had to be in the mix. I started off studying an Arts degree and then teaching however, my teaching journey quickly diverted to hospitality as the travel bug bit! Life’s experiences, opportunities, leadership, and hard work carved my career to where I currently find myself.
D.B: You are managing director of FGASA, is this your dream job?
MdP: This is definitely my dream job where I can combine my qualifications, career experiences, and successes with working in the natural environment, funny how the wheel turns. I now have the privilege of really utilizing my training qualification, naturally supported by sound business management, hospitality experience, and an incredible FGASA community.
D.B: Is there an average working day for you?
MdP: There is no average working day for me. My workdays start really early and I am driven by a work ethic that often makes it hard for me to slow down and take a breather. My duties involve financial management, governance, marketing functions, liaison with Government institutions, and Cathsseta. Add to that mix Internal and external communication, regional office management, member care, meetings, and admin duties and you will see that I have my hands full daily. And there are only 24 hours in a day! Managing the team and all strategy projects is next on the list but the best part of my day is when I can be out there in the field with our Training Providers and guides.
D.B: How has the current pandemic and lockdown affected FGASA and the guiding industry in general?
MdP: The effect on guiding has been devastating as thousands of guides and trackers have lost their jobs, the worst though is the effect on their passion and commitment to making a difference to their guest’s lives. It has waned somewhat but there is a collective energy out there that will keep our guides motivated to conquer the COVID-19 cloud. The lockdown has negatively impacted our FGASA team as we have had to make difficult business decisions to keep our costs down as we weather the storm. The upside though is the fact that FGASA has fast-tracked all our digital development, and this has created incredible opportunities for both learners and Training Providers
D.B: Are there any areas of your bush skills that you are currently working on?
MdP: I have a long way to go and am always seeking new information from our guides. Tracking is my main passion but I love birding. My large family and I enjoy camping and ANY opportunity for an ‘off-the-beaten-track’ trip is welcomed by everyone.
D.B: What words of advice do you have for young women who might be considering joining the guiding industry?
MdP: Stay true to yourself, don’t compromise, start at the bottom and work your way up….work very hard and do what is necessary to make a difference to all people around you. Lead by example and assume full responsibility for all your actions. FGASA provides a very clear qualification path for guiding and so take this route and glean from all the experience that is available to you.
My name is Kimberlee Le Hanie, and I have been a guide for 3 years.
D.B: What made you decide to be a guide?
K.L.H: Guiding was something I discovered after visiting Marataba as a guest 4 years ago, before this I was in the corporate world as a pharmaceutical rep, I’ve always had a deep love for wildlife and nature and during my stay, I fell completely in love with the life of a guide, it was a huge eye-opener for me so I decided to follow my dream and make the big change and I haven’t looked back since.
D.B: Do you feel that you are in a male-dominated industry or have perceptions changed?
K.L.H: I do think that perceptions have changed a lot about females in the industry as more women play a part in mentorship roles and attaining some of the highest qualifications which are truly inspiring!
D.B: How do guests react to female guides?
K.L.H: I feel, in my experience, that guests are more likely to just want someone who will give them the amazing experience they hope for when coming to the bush.
D.B: Is there still an animal on your list that you would like to see?
K.L.H: The only animal I haven’t had the privilege of seeing is an Aardvark and it’s most certainly on my list!
D.B: What words of encouragement would you give to young women who are thinking about joining the industry?
K.L.H: My advice to any female wanting to be a guide is to decide. Decide on what your dream is and then don’t stop until you’ve accomplished everything you set yourself, and then keep going. The journey is incredible, filled with growth and unforgettable memories!
I’m Elly Gearing, an Aussie who followed her heart into the wilds of Africa! It wasn’t by mistake, however. I’m a zoologist and just as researchers travel from around the world to study Australia’s native wildlife, I’ve had an innate fascination with that of Africa ever since I was little. Hence I sought out opportunities to take part in overseas animal behaviour research, which is where my love of the continent began.
D.B: What made you decide to be a guide?
E.G: Great question… In South Africa, with the wealth of fantastic game reserves and large animals on your doorstep, safari guiding has become a well-established profession. In Australia, however, this type of role is not something your mind immediately jumps to when considering potential career options post-university. I was working for the University of Pretoria five years ago when my colleague recommended a training company for me, and I enrolled in a course the minute I got home. Guiding ticked all the boxes for me: it was a career that would allow me to take people out into the bush every day and share my passion for nature and wildlife with them. It was a no-brainer!
D.B: Do male and female guides have different strengths and weaknesses?
E.G: I’m not sure we can attribute strengths and weaknesses to gender, as these are typically more personal. Female guides may be naturally inclined to respond to most situations with empathy and sensitivity, both with guests and animals, and are extremely perceptive to their client’s needs. That’s not to say that an all-female team would be more successful than an all-male team – what’s important here is curating a team of guides whose strengths and weaknesses balance and complement each other.
D.B: What have been some of the highlights?
E.G: Highlights for me come in the form of seeing my guests’ faces immediately after I’ve successfully facilitated a special animal encounter; safely bringing them up close with a 6-tonne elephant bull, for example. This is the rewarding nature of what I do – little compares to the feeling of knowing that you have just created a lifetime memory for someone.
D.B: Is there still an animal on your list that you have not seen?
E.G: I have been fortunate to have seen most of the unusual animals on my bucket list since working in the Klaserie, but the animal that still eludes me is the caracal. There have been a small handful of sightings in our area, so hopefully one of these days I get lucky!
D.B: A question that I have to ask…Land Rover or Toyota Land Cruiser?
E.G: The age-old debate… I’m Team Land Cruiser, for their remarkable reliability. Our Cruisers get put through their paces out in the bush every day and are so resilient. At the end of the day, what it really comes down to is the skills of the driver.
D.B: What words of encouragement would you give to young women who are thinking about joining the industry?
E.G: The most exciting thing about entering a male-dominated industry as a woman is that you get to be a trailblazer, a leader, and an inspiration to other women who follow you. Work on developing an unshakeable sense of self, stand by your values, and don’t be afraid to back yourself and your abilities. Know that your knowledge and skills may be questioned along the way. That’s great! After all, there is little more empowering than being underestimated and going out there and proving them wrong.
My name is Shiluva Khosa and I graduated from EcoTraining in July 2020. However, for the past 6 months, I have been doing my in-service training at Kapama River Lodge in Hoedspruit. I have also just recently got a permanent job with Isilimela Game Lodge located in Balule game reserve as a guide.
D.B: What made you decide to be a guide?
S.K: My aspirations to work with wildlife also the fact that I love challenges and being a female guide is a bit of a challenge because it is a male-dominated industry.
D.B: Do male and female guides have different strengths and weaknesses? And if so what might those be?
S.K: No, it is the same, however, female guides might experience a bit of stereotype in the workplace given most people do have the idea that guides are mostly men. But in my opinion that women possess the same strengths and abilities to do whatever our male colleagues can.
D.B: Do you feel that you are in a male-dominated industry or have perceptions changed?
S.K: Yes sometimes I do because it still shocks people that I am a young African female guide. They believe maybe I belong in an office in front of a computer.
D.B: Is there still an animal on your list that you would like to see?
S.K: A Secretary bird
D.B: How do guests react to female guides?
S.K: Often guests do not expect female guides and I still find that I have to prove my capabilities at the beginning of a game drive, However, once they realize that I am knowledgeable and engaging they relax and enjoy my company and our experiences together.
D.B: What words of encouragement would you give to young women who are thinking about joining the industry?
S.K: You need to have a sense of purpose to educate and inspire your guests well as have a passion for nature.
My name is Shanré Scheepers and I have been guiding for almost 4 years.
D.B: What made you decide to be a guide?
S.S: When I was in high school and was faced with the question “what will you become”, I did not have a firm answer. I knew I wanted to be happy and that I was an all-rounder, and I decided, after two years at TUKS, to ask my parents what 7-year old Shanré wanted to be. They both emphasized the fact that I always loved wildlife. Cats, dogs, elephants, or sheep, if it had four legs I loved it. I have always been appreciative of the wilderness areas in Southern Africa, where we went on family adventures. After some brainstorming, and with my parents looking at “bush homes”, I made the change and escaped the city buzz and ventured into the world of the warm Limpopo wilderness. I had the privilege of experiencing the behind-the-scenes aspects of living and working in the wilderness, and soon after obtained my qualifications to become a guide.
D.B: Do male and female guides have different strengths and weaknesses? And if so what might those be?
S.S: We’re all human, we all have strengths and weaknesses no matter the gender, but what stands out is our attitude towards our strengths and weaknesses and how we improve and adapt daily, and the willingness to learn, to be an open book, to complement one another when standing together as a unity. But one thing is certain, when we look at males and females all together, as an entity; we all have a common goal – to share the wilderness.
D.B: Is there still an animal on your list that you have not seen?
S.S: A Cape Clawless otter.
D.B: How do guests react to female guides?
S.S: More often than not I have had great reactions from guests. It’s all about how you make someone feel, as well as your eye for detail. A sensitive and empathetic approach goes a long way.
D.B: What words of encouragement would you give to young women who are thinking about joining the industry?
S.S: Embrace your feminine energy. Be an open book willing to learn and grow every day. Never think you know it all, every day has something new to teach you. Don’t take things personally, and strive to be the best version of yourself, staying kind, humble, and friendly. Working amongst the wild is honourable work. Interacting with the animals, the land, your guests, co-workers, and your employer, is as rewarding as seeing seeds start to germinate and grow into a beautiful plant. (If you have green fingers like me!). Also, I encourage you all to have fun and remember that you are wilderness ambassadors if you do decide that guiding is for you. I love what I do, and do not regret entering the industry. Every day is filled with new possibilities, paving the way for growth, adventure, and amazing memories.
My name is Marguerite Strydom and I have been guiding for 3 years.
D.B: What made you decide to be a guide?
M.S: I’ve always wanted to be a teacher, and what better way than teaching in nature? Not only teaching guests but also learning new things.
D.B: Do male and female guides have different strengths and weaknesses? And if so what might those be?
M.S: We do! Male guides definitely have physical strength. A weakness for many female guides might be that many perceptions have still not changed. I truly feel that female guides give a different experience to guests from a female perception which I think is more appreciated now then it was in the past. Respect your fellow male colleagues but do not believe for a moment that you are any less capable as a guide.
D.B: Do you feel that industry is still male-dominated or have perceptions changed?
M.S: The industry is changing and definitely becoming more female-dominated. I must say that the male guides in the industry show a lot of respect towards the female guides (shout out to all the male guides supporting our female guides.)
D.B: What has been your best/most unexpected sighting?
M.S: Seeing a pair of Boomslang mating. A rare and exciting experience.
D.B: What words of encouragement would you give to young women who are thinking about joining the industry?
M.S: The best advice I can give to future female guides is don’t be afraid of anything, do the best you can, and don’t think for a minute about failure. Just take one step after the other, and in the end, you will find success. There is a quote that I would love to share: “People will throw stones at you, don’t throw them back, collect them all and build an empire.”
My name is Tovhi Mudau, a Zoologist by qualification studying towards my honours in Environmental management. I have been guiding for 5 years.
D.B: What made you decide to be a guide?
T.M: While at University, the opportunity to study Zoology arose and because of my inclination to nature I decided it would be a great additional subject. At that point my plan was to go into medicine after completing my Bachelor of Science, however, when I began studying Zoology it was like a great awakening. At that moment I decided that this was the direction my life would take, so I continued with Zoology as my major all through to my final year. I then created a checklist of what I wanted to do and what problems I wanted to solve. I wanted to work with and study animals and their behaviour. I wanted to educate and bring awareness to people about animals and our planet and finally, I wanted to live in the bush. I then realized guiding checked every box and more and the rest, as they say, is history.
D.B: Do you feel that you are in a male-dominated industry or have perceptions changed?
T.M: Indeed, the guiding industry is male-dominated. However, because of the women who went in ahead of us and broke boundaries set to exclude us, we can do what we love, and create platforms for those who will come after us.
D.B: What have been some of the highlights?
T.M: In a career where your office is outdoors and you share your workspace with some of the most remarkable animals known to man, every day becomes a highlight, in addition to the magical moments you can have in nature, you are working with people who are on vacation and are actively choosing to be happy 99.9999% of the time, which makes my work that much more enjoyable.
D.B: Is there still an animal on your list that you would like to see?
T.M: In our beautiful continent I have a long list of animals I still want to see in the wild including gorillas, aardwolf, many really amazing birds species, meerkats, and a caracal to name a few, outside of Africa my list is endless but if I had to give my top 5 I would love to still see tigers, kangaroos, jaguars, pandas, and polar bears. I also have a substantial list of aquatic animals I would like to see in their natural habitat.
D.B: A question that I have to ask…Land Rover or Toyota Land Cruiser?
T.M: I have driven both the Land Rover Defender and Land cruiser off the beaten track, crossing rivers, hugging drainage lines, in sand a child walking would get stuck in, zipping out of danger, in muddy patches and in all honestly neither of them necessarily outperforms the other. Perhaps it’s the great driver behind the wheel that is capable of making them both do what she wants them to do? They both have an unstoppable off-roading ability which cannot be disputed. If anything, the Land cruiser is a bit bigger which makes it more comfortable in terms of legroom and space however if you are ever stuck between a rock and a hard place, I would prefer a vehicle a little bit more slender to manoeuvre out. For their overall performance, they both score a 9/10.
D.B: What words of encouragement would you give to young women who are thinking about joining the industry?
T.M: There is no manual to being a guide there is just knowledge you get given, what you do with that knowledge and how you interpret that knowledge is what defines you from others, so be yourself. Own your being and don’t try to impersonate other guides. Yes, you can be inspired by others but create your own guiding style that is true to you because it will be authentic, and the benefits of that are you become more confident, clear, enthusiastic, comfortable, and energetic. Finally remain at a state of ‘becoming’ and never settle with ‘being’. This can be achieved by continually allowing yourself to grow, shed the things that don’t work, and adopt more things that do. Nature is in a state of metamorphosis, and what worked then may not apply now, so be adaptable and hunger for knowledge and truth.
My name is Alexandra Ross but known affectionately to friends and colleagues as Ally and I have been a guide for 3 years.
D.B: What made you decide to be a guide?
A.R: Not only was it my passion for the outdoors, birds, and conservation, I realized I was running out of time to pursue my dreams! I have had a lifelong love affair with the African bush, from when I was a little girl. My first safari to Thanda Thula in KZN had me besotted over all things wild and my parents constantly remind me of my proclamation of my future career toward the end of our trip. “I want to be a ranger.” After packing bags and leaving the city in 2017, I never looked back. The freedom and serenity I felt being in an environment that had always felt like home, was magic. I knew I was in the right place.
D.B: Do male and female guides have different strengths and weaknesses?
A.R: I believe we do. We are only human and even outside of this industry men and women in any industry will fair differently. From a physical aspect, not all of us ladies stand 2m tall and can do the same heavy-duty activities that our male colleagues are capable of. That said, I’m sure I’m not the only woman who will attest to this but we make sure that we work twice as hard to match the strength and stamina of our male counterparts, whether it be digging holes, changing tires or moving trees. We work hard to make it look easy. Women have added pressure and there is an ever-looming perception of “little ladies” in the bush, but, in my opinion, it spurs us on to work on these stereotypical weaknesses. Being more in tune and emotional with our guests is a strength that is regularly seen in female guides. It is ingrained in the female psyche to be more tender and gentle-spirited with guest’s emotions. However, I believe with the ever-increasing number of female guides entering the industry, inspires men to focus in on the areas where their female counterparts may outshine them.
D.B: Do you feel that you are in a male-dominated industry or have perceptions changed?
A.R: Most certainly, perceptions within this industry have changed in leaps and bounds. Not only has it become more of a skilled profession but many reserves have embraced the idea of female guides. Sabi Sabi Private Game Reserve was one of the first lodges to employ and promote females guides. Sabi Sabi is all about the right person for the job regardless of gender. Today they still follow this philosophy and I am one of seven female guides currently employed at Sabi Sabi. Together we are building on the ground-breaking work by the women who came before us.
D.B: Is there still an animal on your list that you would like to see?
A.R: Aardvark. While they are common on our reserve they are predominantly nocturnal and spend most of their time feeding in the late hours of the night into the early morning. All about being in the right place at the right time, I suppose!!
D.B: A question that I have to ask…Land Rover or Toyota Land Cruiser?
A.R: Is this a trick question? Toyota of course, David. In my opinion, it’s a personal preference. Should you have a fleet of Land Rovers you’re bound to say they amazing. However, I enjoy our fleet of Toyotas.
D.B: How do guests react to female guides?
A.R: In my time in the industry, I have received many different reactions. Many are surprised, especially if it’s their first time on safari, they tend to expect a man. Others are quite happy and become really comfortable with a female guide during their stay. We often hear that guests enjoy the gentle nature, empathy, and elaborate explanations of the female guide on safari. Never expect a woman to leave out even the smallest of details. I do believe no matter the opinion on arrival, what we do in those first few seconds with them creates the perception of the “female guide”.
D.B: What words of encouragement would you give to young women who are thinking about joining the industry?
A.R: The advice I have any for a woman who aspires to become a field guide it would this; be confident and believe in your self-worth. Allow your passion to shine through in your body language. Learn to change tires on your cruiser BY YOURSELF. Your rifle is a tool; learn to use it accurately and with confidence. Embrace your soft side, this goes a long way with your guests. Be empathetic and gentle, laugh with them. Share your stories and dreams with them you will find friends in faraway countries. Remember that you and you alone have the power to become great. There is something special about a woman who excels in a(perceived) “man’s world”. Be her. Be there. Dominate with grace and never back down from a challenge in the field.
Margaux Le Roux, FGASA Field Guide and runner up in the FGASA Safari Guide of the Year 2019. I also hold a Btech Ecotourism Management (Cum Laude)
D.B: How long have you been a guide?
M.L.R: Since 2007.
D.B: What made you decide to be a guide?
M.L.R: Growing up with nature enthusiast parents, we would spend most of our holidays either in the Kruger National Park or in other remote wilderness areas. My love for the bush started there, and I was about eight years old when I told my dad I wanted to live and work in the bush. I’m also very passionate about people, and I could not see a better marriage of passions other than by combining my love for the wild and for people, and becoming a Field Guide seemed like a natural fit and calling.
D.B: Do male and female guides have different strengths and weaknesses?
M.L.R: I don’t think that gender determines strengths and weaknesses, but that strengths and weaknesses have more to do with a person’s character and skills, and in guiding a lot of these skills can be learned and practised, especially under the guidance of strong mentors. At the beginning of my guiding career, I felt that I had to compete with my male colleagues just to be seen as an equal, but it was really during the last couple of years, and in particular during Safari Guide of the Year 2019 that I came to the realization that I don’t have to compete with my male colleagues. I came to the understanding that “I am a lioness. I am a lioness, not a lion. I do not possess the strength of a lion, but my meekness is not a weakness. I am not supposed to do everything a lion can do, but neither is a lion supposed to do everything a lioness can do.” In reality, our differences in strengths and weaknesses should be used to complement each other rather than compete with each other.
D.B: Do you feel that you are in a male-dominated industry or have perceptions changed?
M.L.R: In many areas, it still is a male-dominated industry, with not just co-workers and industry dictating it, but even guests themselves. It is not uncommon to have a request from guests where they state they would prefer having a male guide. I blame society for that because just as with racism we still perpetuate the belief that you have to look and act in a certain manner to be good and competent at your job. I feel that if we stop gender stereotyping at home, it need not filter through to the working environment. Teaching people tolerance towards others starts at home, and I feel we should support and encourage each other where possible.
D.B: Is there still an animal on your list that you would like to see?
M.L.R: I am very fortunate in the sense that I have spent a considerable amount of time guiding in the Kalahari where I had the opportunity to see rarer mammals like aardvark, pangolin, Damara mole rats and even striped polecats. For Southern Africa, I would say I wouldn’t mind seeing African striped weasel and Black-footed Cat. My ultimate wish list species would be to see jaguars in the Pantanal.
D.B: A question that I have to ask…Land Rover or Toyota Land Cruiser?
M.L.R: It depends on the terrain. Short wheel based Landy’s are very good over rocky mountainous terrain but generally, I prefer the comfort and reliability of the Land Cruisers. And oh my, the purring sound that a Cruiser makes when you start the engine always gets me excited for Game Drive…
D.B: How do guests react to female guides?
M.L.R: It depends on the guests. Some are shocked, some don’t seem bothered. I do find it funny when guests automatically assume I’m a front of house staff member, but once it’s time for Safari and I walk in with my rifle to go out on drive I can, at times, see the look of amazement on their faces. Again, this perception will only change once we change it within ourselves, and when we raise children that are more respectful and tolerant of each other.
D.B: What words of encouragement would you give to young women who are thinking about joining the industry?
M.L.R: Follow your passion and calling in life. Don’t be discouraged by thinking you do not fit the typical ‘mould’. Find fabulous mentors wherever and whenever you can, and don’t be scared to ask for help if you need to. Most importantly, remain humble and teachable.
My name is Chantelle Venter and my qualifications: SKS Dangerous Game, SKS Birding, FGASA Assessor. I am currently the Head Guide at Singita Kruger National Park, where I enjoy sharing my experiences on walking safaris as well as my interest in birding and photography.
D.B: How long have you been a guide?
C.V: 24 years.
D.B: What made you decide to be a guide?
C.V: I wanted to follow my passion so that I would not have to “work” again for another day. I can truly say that I have the best job in the world. The diversity in skills that you learn, and keep learning is endless. I also love working with people from all walks of life. Being able to share memorable wildlife moments is incredibly rewarding.
D.B: Do male and female guides have different strengths and weaknesses?
C.V: I believe that all people have different strengths and weaknesses and that everyone has to figure out how to overcome their individual obstacles and challenges. You can only improve on your weaknesses and play to your strengths if you know what they are, so it is important to know yourself. I have had the privilege to meet and work with many top guides in the industry (both males and females).
D.B: Do you feel that you are in a male-dominated industry or have perceptions changed?
C.V: When I started guiding 24 years ago, I faced a few challenges initially. Perceptions have changed a lot since then, as there are a lot more female guides operating in Southern Africa. I also believe that perceptions don’t matter if you act in a confident, humble, and respectful manner. If you are competent in what you do, and always give your best, people will notice, and your gender will not be an issue.
D.B: And a favourite highlight?
C.V: Seeing a smile on the face of a guide who has just qualified, after many hours, days, weeks, and even years of training. I particularly love walking and training upcoming trails guides.
D.B: Is there still an animal on your list that you would like to see?
C.V: I have been fortunate to work in some of the most incredible wildlife areas in Southern Africa, but would still like to see a Blue duiker and a Striped weasel.
D.B: A question that I have to ask…Land Rover or Toyota Land Cruiser?
C.V: Both. Land Rovers are brilliant for off-roading. They have good clearance and manoeuvrability. Toyotas are extremely reliable and have more space in the front of the vehicle for your guiding kit.
D.B: What words of encouragement would you give to young women who are thinking about joining the industry?
C.V: If you ever feel like doubting yourself…work a little smarter and harder. The necessary support is there…just go for it.
To find out more about what FGASA offers the guiding industry and why it is important to become a member, visit their website: https://www.fgasa.co.za/
