To work in the wild is no small feat. Without the courage of rangers and anti-poaching teams, we would not have the pleasure of enjoying the bush as guests.
Kruger National Park, South Africa (12 November 2025) – Friday last week, the Kruger’s top achievers were recognised for their work at the annual KNP Achievement Awards at the Nombolo Mdluli Conference Centre, held within the park.
Winners were named across more than nine categories (we’ll share the full list with you below).
While the work of every employee who strives to protect and look after our national parks is important, one category stood out.
It honoured the national park’s bravest.
Four men who have faced the wilds of Kruger and lived to tell the tale.
“[Four staff members] stole the limelight, for scooping the Bravery Award in recognition of their bravery by placing their own lives in danger and single-handedly confronting armed suspected poachers as well as dangerous animals,” shares SANParks.
Albert Mkansi, Twice a Survivor
The first of four winners has worked in the park for years.
Field ranger Albert Mkansi has done more than earn his spots.
Albert has survived two deadly attacks – one by a leopard and another by a hippo. In both incidents, he acted proactively, making sure that nobody else would be harmed. After the hippo attack last year, he sustained serious injuries, and his foot was amputated. Even after that, his courage hasn’t wavered a bit.
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“He is simply the bravest field ranger to have survived deadly attacks not once but twice. As a proactive field ranger on both incidents, he showed bravery and courage by doing all means to survive and to prevent the animals from attacking the others,” shares SANParks.
Katekani Sibuyi and Nicolus Mathebula vs Buffalo
Then there’s Katekani Sibuyi and Nicolus Mathebula, who were jointly recognised for their fast-acting bravery in an encounter with one of the most feared animals in the Kruger, the African buffalo. It happened while on patrol – a vitally important task in the bush.
Everything was dead quiet, until it wasn’t anymore…
“As they patrolled, Field Ranger Nicolus was walking ahead of Field Ranger Katekani, unknowingly passing right by a buffalo that had tucked itself away in the reeds, perfectly camouflaged like it had something to hide… which, as it turned out, was a serious temper,” shares SANParks.
The buffalo charged Nicolus first. He lunged into a bush to avoid the collision. But with the buffalo already on its way, Katekani bravely intervened. In seconds, he began clapping and redirected the buffalo’s fury. And so the second charge took off. This time at Katekani.
“The buffalo locked eyes with him, changed direction, and charged like a quick train. The impact was brutal…The buffalo hit Katekani full force and sent him flying – but this story wasn’t over. No sir. Because, just four meters away, the buffalo skidded to a halt… turned around… and came back for round two,” shares SANParks.
Katekani, now hobbling on one knee and struggling to lift his firearm, took a second blow straight to the forehead. Realising he couldn’t resort to his weapon, he decided to play a game of ‘got your nose’ with the buffalo.
“With incredible presence of mind — and no small amount of bravery — he grabbed the buffalo by its horns and, with his right hand, clamped down hard on its nose…Its legs started to buckle, and Field Ranger Katekani, seizing the moment, climbed into a nearby tree for safety,” shares SANParks.
Up that tree is not where it ended. The buffalo managed to yank Katekani out from the branches and, for the third time, the two were face to face.
“But Field Ranger Katekani didn’t run. He used the same bold tactic, clamping the nose again with all his remaining strength. The buffalo dropped to its hind legs, weakened and disoriented – a rare sight indeed.”
And then, field ranger Nicolus appeared with his rifle and struck the remaining blows that brought the buffalo down.
“Both these men showed courage that day, the kind you don’t teach in training manuals the kind that defines real heroes. They didn’t just patrol the bush. They fought in it. Survived in it. And protected each other in it. Surely, that is the essence of a Bravery Award,” shares SANParks.
Vusi Lubisi, Solo Face-Off With Poachers
Corporal Vusi Lubisi took the final honour in bravery. He has led his team in many successful anti-poaching activities, but has also braved the bush alone against poachers — an act that almost cost him his life.
It started when Lubisi sent his accompanying ranger on a task to guard another team. Patrol still needed to be done, so Lubisi took off on foot alone that day.
“While he was patrolling from a distance, he noticed movements and colours, he then moved closer to get a clear view when he heard a click, the suspect was about to fire at him so he immediately started firing shots and managed to shoot them all, one suspect ran that was then when he called for back-up…What stands out with this particular operation is that it was a one man show against more than one opponent,” shared SANParks.
It takes incredible courage for field rangers and anti-poaching teams to show up and do what they do on a daily basis. Wild animals can be unpredictable. In dangerous scenarios (and there are many that come with the job) it is up to rangers to act quickly and with the best intentions for both humans and wildlife.
Every Winner at This Year’s KNP Achievement Awards
As promised, a list of every Kruger employee and group honoured on Friday:
Research, Initiatives and Innovation Award: Stephen Midzi
Best Constituency Builder Award: Aubrey Mogezi Maluleke, Elmon William Mthombothi
Bush Camp of the Year: Biyamiti Bush Camp
Camp of the Year: Satara Camp
Best Performing Entrance Gate/Reception: Phalaborwa Gate
Wilderness Trails Camp of the Year: Mathikhithi Wilderness Trails Camp
Ranger Post of the Year: Pretoriuskop Ranger Post
Special Team Effort Award: Malaria Spraying Team
Managing Executive’s Special Award: Mr Auriel Nyambi, Ms Portia Sambo, Mr Solly Shakwane, Ms Pearl Tladi, Ms Eunice Mulaudzi, Mr Grant Grootboom, Ms Jane Mashele, Hein Globler, Ms Sharon Hauusmann (posthumous award)
Excellent Performance in the Workplace Award: Lillian Mhlaba, Brighton Tjie, Yulitide Godi, Stephen Nel, Johann Mdluli, Carel Nkuna, Samuel Mathebula, Patrick Ndhlovu, Albert Baloyi, Hetisani Mhlava, Vanessa van den Berg, Brace Mambana, Dansie Mkhatshwa, Justice Sambo, Moses Matlala, Floyd Mabunda, Hasani Erick Baloyi, Katekani Sibuyi, Brian Ndlhovu, Derick Maluleke, Fhulufhedzani Phalanndwa, Sam Madalane, Michael Paxton, Agnes Mathebula, Christmas Madadzhe, Meurel Baloyi, Moosa Mona, Promise Moripa, Noel Hansie Nzima, Nokukhanya Joyce Mpanza, Judith Botha, Nonhlanhla Mbatha, Tebogo Manamela
Best Customer Service Award: Wendy Mathebula, Elina Mona, Rodgers Hobyane, Jamela Precious Njini, Fanie Risimati
Leadership Award: Vincent Chauke, Sam Baloi, Greyton Nkuna, Enock Manyike, Lucia Dlamini, Dumisani Ntlemo, Akani Shivambu
Lifetime Achievement Award: Oupa Manzini, Richard Vukeya, Jairos Chiloane, James Mdluli
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