Imvelo’s guide trainees

Breaking into Zimbabwe’s job market can be a challenge for rural youth. Imvelo has a policy to recruit locally – and, with training, change the future trajectory for talented individuals. Here we feature Imvelo’s ‘locally-grown’ head guide along with three young trainees who have set out on the tough road to becoming a Zimbabwe pro guide.

Imvelo’s head guide Vusa Ncube grew up in Ngamo village near Imvelo‘s Bomani and Camelthorn Lodges. As a boy looking after the family‘s cattle, he dealt first-hand with the threat posed by elephant and lion from the park. Today that same dangerous big game represents his livelihood, bringing visitors from around the world. Armed was a diploma in travel and tourism, he was first employed by Imvelo as a trainee guide, and a year later he wrote the intermediate guides exam set by National Parks. That was the foundation for 10 years of hard work and dedication before he passed the intense written and practical exam examinations for Zimbabwe‘s professional guides license – he is the first from his community to achieve this qualification. As a local, he brings a special touch and remarkable insights when taking guests around his home area, and has become a role model for the next generation.

Delight Jubane, one of the new recruits, bested some of the older guides by winning the shooting competition during the guides refresher course earlier this year. He won a YETI brand travel mug donated by Imvelo head guide Vusa Ncube. Delight, aged 19, grew up in Ngamo and attended Ngamo Primary School, followed by Cyrene Boys High School. Herding cattle so near to the national park led to plenty of encounters with local wildlife. Then, in his final year of primary school, Imvelo took the whole class for a game drive, teaching about the benefits of wildlife and the need to conserve it for the generations to come. “After that game drive I was left with a better understanding of nature and became passionate about becoming a professional guide, so I could take people from abroad and show them the beauty of our homeland,” said Delight.

Proud Ndlovu was also born and raised in Ngamo on the border of Hwange National Park. He attended Ngamo Primary School and then Regina Mundi Secondary School, approximately 40 km from Ngamo. After completing GCSE he enrolled in college to study and become a learner guide. “Growing up in a village where I frequently encountered wild animals and birds gave me an advantage at college,” said Proud. “I passed my examinations and was thrilled to be accepted as a trainee guide at Imvelo Safari Lodges.”

Bandile Ncube, aged 21, is Imvelo’s third recruit this year to be born and raised in Ngamo. He started his primary schooling at Ngamo Primary then moved to Bulawayo where he finished primary and then went to Inyathi High School. “My story with Imvelo starts when it was only a dream. The work Imvelo has done in my area has made me want to be part of the team, starting from my first Dental Safari when I was one of the patients! My dream is to be an ambassador for the company and to inspire other young men that anything is possible. Growing up watching guides like Vusa, Pete and others inspired me to appreciate what we have in our disposal and to make sure that our natural resources benefit everyone bordering the park.”

These stories are a wonderful reminder of the far-reaching impact of a safari with Imvelo. Every visitor makes a positive impact in Hwange NP and its surrounding communities. From employment opportunities for youth to the restoration of rhino to the Hwange ecosystem, Imvelo’s programs are changing lives and conserving nature every day.