by Nelisiwe Khusi
GCBR interns gain hands-on experience in project management through practical mini projects. Rita Liebenberg, the Gouritz Corridors and Restoration Programme Manager, introduced the mini-project concept to give interns a real-world experience in managing projects. Each intern selects and implements a mini project of their choice over a six-month period, with a budget allocation of R20,000. Here’s an overview of the process:
- Submit Concept Note
Interns develop and submit a concept note, outlining their project idea and objectives. - Present to the GCBR Team
Interns present their concept to the GCBR team, who provide feedback on feasibility and financial viability. - Develop a Project Execution Plan
Following feedback, interns create a detailed execution plan and allocate their budget accordingly. - Project Implementation
Interns implement their project over six months, adapting to challenges and delivering key objectives. - Submit Closeout Report
Each intern submits a report summarizing activities, findings, skills learned, budget use, and recommendations for future projects.
2023 Intern Projects
Last year, Yaaseen Bodhanya, Lee-Ann Pretorius, Leila Moosajee, and Nelisiwe Khusi focused on impactful environmental and community projects. The interns showcased creativity and resourcefulness by securing additional funding and support, engaging external volunteers, and adapting to challenges with flexibility. The GCBR team provided guidance throughout, ensuring valuable learning experiences for each intern, an overview of their projects is provided below.
Yaaseen Bodhanya: Ytterbium GNSS Device
The GCBR relies on spatial data for its various projects, but the current GNSS device used for data collection is not as accurate as one might think, limiting effective use. To improve data accuracy and accessibility across the GCBR region, this project focused on creating multiple, high-precision GNSS receivers. The devices were designed to integrate smoothly into GCBR workflows and be distributed to staff in various locations. The project included four phases: sourcing and constructing a prototype, developing software for device communication, validating the prototype, and building additional units based on the validated design.
Lee-Ann Pretorius: Heidelberg Community
Lee-Ann’s project focused on creating a community-friendly green space in Heidelberg to provide a safe area for children and residents of all ages to enjoy. Situated near the Duivenhoks Library and an existing park, the project aimed to enhance community wellness and encourage outdoor recreational activities. Key objectives included fostering community upliftment, promoting environmental awareness, and creating a valuable green area that would appeal to diverse age groups. After obtaining a Minor Works Permit from the Hessequa Municipality, Lee-Ann successfully implemented this green space to benefit the Heidelberg community.
Leila’s Project (Enviro-Lit Workshops):
Leila’s project focused on environmental education and skills development for unemployed youth (aged 18-35) through workshops and a weekend camp. Activities included:
- Canva and digital marketing training.
- Upcycling workshops to create art from waste material in collaboration with Magpie.
- An introduction to woodwork by Lima Designs, combined with discussions on cultural and environmental topics.
Nelisiwe Khusi: River Health Monitoring Programme within the Gouritz Cluster Biosphere Reserve (GCBR) Region
This project aimed to establish a pilot river health monitoring program for the GCBR region, focusing on continuous data collection to assess long-term river health. Current River Health Programme data is outdated and often limited to snapshots of prevailing water quality at the time of sampling, lacking a comprehensive long-term view. A number of sites, especially within the region, remain under-monitored due to challenges. With GCBR’s established relationships with landowners through restoration activities, this project can leverage those connections to gain access to key river sections for monitoring. Given that much of GCBR’s conservation work centers on river systems and wetlands, understanding the health of rivers, fish populations, and aquatic invertebrates is essential.
The projects primary objectives were:
- Collect continuous river health data,
- Assess long-term trends in river health,
- Raise awareness about the state of river systems within the GCBR region.
2024 Current Intern Projects
This year’s interns, Purnille Albertyn, Somila Liwani, and Erin Martin, recently presented their project concept notes to the GCBR team, receiving positive feedback. Currently, in the concept phase, their projects hold exciting potential, and we look forward to seeing the results as they implement their ideas with ongoing GCBR support.
Interns receiving feedback and comments from the GCBR team