South Africa is home to some of the most incredible wildlife. Each year our national parks draw millions of visitors from all over the world, all eager to catch a glimpse of the mesmerising animals that call our beautiful country home. However, right on the borders of one of our most popular nature reserves, the Kruger National Park, are communities that have never seen wildlife before, much less experienced the excitement of a game drive.
Rifumo Mathebula was one such person. Living in a rural community neighbouring the Kruger National Park, Mathebula met Mike Kendrick, the Founder of Wild Shots Outreach, an NPO dedicated to giving young people from disadvantaged communities the opportunity to engage with wildlife and wild places through photography. Mathebula persuaded Kendrick to host a workshop for his high school class, and this ignited a passion in Mathebula that would lead to him winning the Chartered Institute of Water and Environmental Management’s Young Environmentalist of the Year Award as well as the Mail and Guardian’s Greening the Future award for Preservation of Natural Habitats. These awards recognise passionate and proactive individuals making a positive impact in water, sustainability and the environment and working towards the preservation of our country’s natural habitats. We sat down with Mathebula to chat about his award-winning work.
Please tell us a little about yourself.
I’m a passionate photojournalist, filmmaker and photography teacher.
When did you first get involved with Wild Shots Outreach?
I’ve been working with Wild Shots Outreach NPO since 2016, and in Jan 2020 was promoted to Programme Director.
Do you remember your first game drive and wildlife photography assignment?
My first game drive took place back in June 2016. I didn’t have a clue what it was and was just going for fun. When I got to the game reserve and saw the animals for the first time, it changed my life. I was so excited. This experience ignited my love for nature.
What wisdom have you gained from your time with Wild Shots Outreach?
Over the past few years working with WSO, I have gained so much wisdom working with different people and learning how to treat people or approach each person’s situation. I’ve learnt so much about leadership and how much I enjoy public speaking. I have also learnt how important our wildlife is and how threatened it has become.
What motivated you to join their volunteer programme?
My love for people, teaching skills, and spreading awareness about wildlife to local communities motivated me to volunteer at WSO
What do your photography and conservation workshops entail?
Our programme at WSO consists of 3 days of photography and conservation teaching and practicals. It includes a game drive, as the majority of students that we work with have never visited a game reserve before, despite living right on the boundary. This is followed by a celebration event where the students receive certificates and printed copies of the best pictures they took on the game drive. We also encourage them to spread the good news of conservation to their communities.
Why do you believe it's important for young kids to engage with wildlife and photography?
Wildlife is our natural heritage. It is so important for young people to have this connection – otherwise, how will we save Africa’s wildlife? Photography is a powerful platform and vehicle for these young people to connect with wildlife, make memories, and tell their own stories.
How have the kids you've worked with responded to the workshops?
The reaction has been overwhelming and positive. Photography creates a special relationship with nature, and there’s the thrill of your first game drive.
What are some of your favourite moments interacting with the wildlife of the Kruger Park?
My top moments of interacting with KNP will always be the first time I saw wildlife because that changed my life. To think there are people my age who haven’t seen wildlife yet, living less than 30km away from KNP. That’s why we do the work that we do.
What do you love the most about photography?
What I love the most about photography is that I am able to tell the story of my relationship with wildlife, conservation and about the work that I am doing.
What’s your favourite thing about photographing wildlife?
My favourite thing about photographing wildlife is that it connects me to my heritage. I am helping to protect our nature and conserve it in order to boost our economy and create job opportunities from that.
What was your reaction to winning the “Young Environmentalist of the Year” Award?
I am extremely excited about winning the Young Environmentalist of the Year 2022, which I never thought would happen because I was just following my passion and doing my work.
What does winning this award mean to you?
This award is a great inspiration to me, the team I work with, and the students from the local communities I have taught. It tells us that all things are possible as long you focus and don’t give up.
You’ve also won the Mail and Guardian Greening the Future award; what’s it like winning two significant environmental and conservation awards?
Winning the Mail Guardian Greening the Future award inspires me to do more of the work that I am doing because it inspires and helps others to understand more about our environment.
Which camera do you shoot with?
I use a Canon EOS 6D. I also received the wonderful Canon R10 from the incredible team at Canon.
What are some of your favourite lenses to shoot with?
Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM and the Canon EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6. I’m hoping and looking forward to moving to super telephoto lenses for my wildlife work.
How can our readers get involved with Wild Shot Outreach and help the cause?
They can get involved by emailing: rifumo@wildshotsoutreach.org/www.wildshotsoutreach.org
