Working for Wetlands loses two active wetlandersJanuary 2011 WORKING FOR WETLANDS LOSS
We start 2011 with deep sadness as we mourn the loss of our two active wetlanders.
Mr Johan Oosthuizen
Mr Johan Oosthuizen was the project Manager for the Tsitsikamma wetlands project, Oom Johan Oosthuizen, as he was affectionately known, passed away just four days before his 66 birthday in a hospital in Port Elizabeth in September. Oom Johan was with the Tsitsikamma project since its inception in 2007. He was a forester all his life and came out of retirement to help MTO with the implementation of the wetland rehabilitation project.
Japie Buckle, the Provincial Coordinator for the Western Cape said, ‘The one thing I will always remember about Oom Johan is his attention to detail and his pride in his work. All his administration work was precise and the building of the structures had to be exactly according to plan. The gabion structures and especially his concrete structures that he has overseen will be his monuments for decades to come because they are not going anywhere in a hurry.’
Family members confirmed at the funeral that Oom Johan thoroughly enjoyed the two and half years of wetland rehabilitation work and it gave him a new purpose in life after his retirement. Oom Johan will be greatly missed by all his colleagues, friends and family. We at SANBI are very appreciative of the good work that he has done to help save some of the wetlands in the Tsitsikamma area.
Mr Kooneeng Terence Tawana
Mr Kooneeng Terence Tawana a project supervisor for the Molopo project was laid to rest at his home in Lerwaneng, Mafikeng (North-West) in December after tragically passing away at the age of 34. Lufuno Netangaheni, the North-West Provincial Coordinator said she was deeply saddened by the sudden passing of Tawana, ‘Tawana was one of the committed team players and hard workers in the project. According to his contractor he never missed work without informing him. He was an asset and had a lot to offer in the success of the Wetlands Project.’ Tawana had been with the project since 2008. He started as a general worker but within six months he was elected as a supervisor in his team.
May they rest in peace.
Also in the January 2011 GumbootSANBI invites wetlands mapping standard developersSANBI INVITES WETLANDS MAPPING STANDARD DEVELOPERS
This is a reminder to all suitable potential service providers to submit quotes on development of a wetland mapping standard. Informal tender documentation, including terms of reference, can be downloaded here: http://wetlands.sanbi.org/wfwet/resource.php?id=266
Closing date for submission of proposal: 11:00 on Wednesday, 19 January 2011.
For more information, please contact: Namhla Mbona on 012 8435294.
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