Sibaya Coastal Precinct and Forest Supervisor, Mazwi Ngubane, is simply great at what he does. A warm and engaging personality with an obvious love for nature, we caught up with Mazwi to find out more about him and his role in caring for the Sibaya Precinct’s beautiful forest and leading the Isigi cleaning and greening team.
How long have you worked for the Sibaya Precinct?
I have been working for the Sibaya Precinct for almost 3 years since December 2018.
What do you love most about your job?
I love my job because I get a chance to meet people often and that allows me the opportunity to learn different things and to be exposed to different situations. Above all else, I get to see and work in the Sibaya Coastal Forest every day.
Tell us about your family?
I live in a small village called Umzinyathi, with my wife Ayanda and our 3 lovely children Sibonginkosi, Sphelele and Enzonkuhle.
What does a day at work look like for you?
My day at work differs daily. I meet with all cleaning, greening and maintenance teams on the ground and assign them daily tasks, I undertake daily precinct walkabouts and inspections that bring about new tasks that need to be dealt with and address this by tasking the relevant team when needed. I assist the Precinct manager in compiling reports and drafting work plans, and I also host guided tours of the beautiful forest amongst many other responsibilities
What is your background experience?
Before I came to work at the Sibaya Precinct, I worked at the uMhlanga Nature Reserve as a Nature Guide. This was under the supervision of the Umhlanga UIP, where I conducted guided tours and supervised students doing internships. I am a qualified Nature Guide and a Tourism graduate.
What is your favourite thing about the Sibaya Coastal Forest?
I love the Sibaya Coastal Forest because it’s special to me. I was involved from the onset, when the paths and trees were identified, naming the trails, and giving the trails meaning. It’s different from other forests I have been to, as we have large and diverse trees, some over 100 years old.
