About Us

Group Photo, August 2013 

History of the Makanyane Volunteers.

In tribute to the Makanyane Volunteers Founder - Joe Moser

Joe fell in love with the bush and the Pilanesberg on his first visit in 1985 and in 1988 he joined the Friends of the Pilanesberg, of which he eventually became chairman for a six year period. He started his own volunteer group in 2002, calling it “Joe’s Work Party”. As he was involved with the introduction of the African wild dog into the park, Joe changed the name to “Makanyane Volunteers” a year later – this is the Tswane name for this endangered wild dog.
 
The Makanyane Vounteers have grown from small beginnings to a group of over 30 strong. The group maintains various park facilities such as hides, the honorary officers’ camp and the park boma. Other work includes clearing branches and long grass, maintaining electrical fences and keeping the park in tip top condition. Besides his occupational work, Joe poured most of his energy into work at the park.
Joe had a tremendous passion for wild life and loved surveying the Synite Rocks for leopards or the plains of Moloto Drive for buffalo. His favorite saying was that he was “strong like a lion” and that he certainly was! The red balloon trees and their beautiful blossoms, which only grow around the Synite Rocks, were his favorite in spring and he spent many hours observing his beloved elephants and especially the Fish Eagles over Manwke Dam. He was also the chairman of Bushveld Mozaic, which does training courses in the preparation for field guides and for those people who aspire to become honorary officers. Joe, himself, was qualified as an honorary officer.
It is quite apparent that a person of Joe’s caliber will be sorely missed by all of us. Think of him when you see the Fish Eagle. His legacy will live on in the Makanyane Voluneers.
It is with great sorrow that the Makanyane Volunteers announce the loss of their founder and leader – Joe Moser. He passed away on the 30th October 2006 after a short illness and is survived by his wife Hanne and son Michael.

Who are the Makanyane Volunteers?

Our mission is, to help the Northwest Park and Tourism board in its conservation of wild plants, animals and landscapes for the benefit of the people who have interest in the environments and wildlife and appreciate more the “wide open spaces”.
Makanyane Volunteers supports the Northwest Parks board in a very small way.
 
Work Parties are a way in which our Volunteers interact with the enviroment on a more personal note.
Our Work Party weekends are held once a month in Pilanesberg. They are a fun way to spend a weekend out in the bushveld. We utilize your skills in woodworking, brick laying; cement mixing, painting and digging! Anyone who enjoys the outdoors, loads of laughs, practical DIY work and who has an appriciation of nature would certainly want to come along!
 
Spending leisure time in the bushveld with people sharing your same interests in wildlife and an opportunity to make a meaningful contribution to conservation, you will also increase your knowledge of the bushveld.
 

Funds collected by Makanyane Volunteers' are used for tools, equipment and paint. Without these tools, we could not accomplish what we do in the park.



Joe Moser, our founder
Hanna Moser, our founder