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Introduction to Bushveld Mosaic

The Bushveld Mosaic is a one-year part-time program designed for people wishing to increase their knowledge of the natural environment. Participation in this course should increase conservation awareness and develop bush interpretative skills and the confidence and competence to practice there skills.

The Bushveld Mosaic course content caters both for people in search of a broader understanding of the natural environment and for those wishing eventually to pursue careers in the conservation and eco-tourism fields. Those students reaching the required standards at the end of the course may be invited to apply to the North West Parks and Tourism Board (NWP&TB) for appointment as Honorary Offices, if vacancies exist.

Aim of the Bushveld Mosaic Course

To provide comprehensive instruction and guidance in the appreciation of the environment, with the aim of enhancing communication, practical, interpretive and educational skills of participants on the programme.

To create a body of informed people with a balanced view of conservation issues, capable of transmitting such information to other individuals and groups and thereby promoting attitudes and behaviour that will benefit conservation as a whole.

History

The course was developed in 1995 by Professor P.J. Fripp in conjunction with the NWP&TB. In 1997 a sponsorship program for teachers from rural communities in the North West Province was initiated. On completion of the course these teachers are encouraged to head a conservation club at their schools and to disseminate the environmental knowledge to their club members. This Outreach Program has proved to be a great success with a strong conservation club movement in both primary and senior schools of the North West Province.

The Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Environment of the North West acknowledges that the Bushveld Mosaic course is a vehicle for the further training of teachers towards a Diploma Education.

The North West Parks Board has accredited the course as the basis for the training of the Honorary Officers for duties in their parks.

The course is accredited by the Field Guide Association of South Africa (FGASA - License No. B4836/01) and is the basis for writing their Level 1 exam.

Currently the course is being prepared for accreditation by the Tourism, Hospitality & Sport Education & Training Authorities. The Bushveld Mosaic Course provides theoretical instructions for the completion of Unit Codes TG 08, 11, 12, 17 as well as the theoretical requirements for TG 10, 14 and 15. The above-mentioned units are required in order to complete the elective section of:

National Certificate in Tourism: Guiding TGC02

National Certificate in Tourism: Guiding TGC04.

Declaration of Competence for Certificate in Tourism:

(a) Guiding Level 2 - (Nature Site Guide) TGC12

(b) Guiding Level 4 - (Nature: National) TGC14

(c) Guiding Level 2 - (Nature Site Guide - Dangerous Game Area) TGC22

(d) Guiding Level 4 - (Nature: National in Dangerous Game Area) TGC54

(e) Guiding Level 4 - (Nature: Regional on foot in Dangerous Game Area) TGC40

(f) Guiding Level 4 - (Nature: Regional) TGC41

(g) Nature Site Guide Level 2 -TGSP2

(h) Nature Site Guide (Dangerous Game Area) Level 2 -TGSP3

(i) Nature Site Guide Level 4 -TGSP8

(j) Nature Site Guide Level 4 -TGSP9

To achieve any of the above-mentioned Declaration of Competence certificates in Tourism, additional time must be spent gaining the required practical experience and completing the required weapon handling courses.

The Bushveld Mosaic is a one-year part-time program designed for people wishing to increase their knowledge of the natural environment. Participation in this course should increase conservation awareness and develop bush interpretative skills and the confidence and competence to practice there skills.

The Bushveld Mosaic course content caters both for people in search of a broader understanding of the natural environment and for those wishing eventually to pursue careers in the conservation and eco-tourism fields. Those students reaching the required standards at the end of the course may be invited to apply to the North West Parks and Tourism Board (NWP&TB) for appointment as Honorary Offices, if vacancies exist.