{"id":34260,"date":"2024-07-02T08:31:50","date_gmt":"2024-07-02T06:31:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/getitmagazine.co.za\/ballito-umhlanga\/?p=34260"},"modified":"2024-07-02T08:31:50","modified_gmt":"2024-07-02T06:31:50","slug":"natures-protector","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/getitmagazine.co.za\/ballito-umhlanga\/blog\/2024\/07\/02\/natures-protector\/","title":{"rendered":"Nature’s protector"},"content":{"rendered":"

As environmental manager for Simbithi Eco-Estate, Ayanda Duma gets to channel her passion for nature into her work every day. <\/strong><\/h4>\n

To say Ayanda\u2019s job is multifaceted would be an understatement. \u201cMy job is to look after the flora, which includes the dams as well,\u201d she explains. This responsibility extends to ensuring that the estate\u2019s conservation practices align with national standards, educating residents about eco-friendly practices and collaborating with local authorities. No two days are the same, and this certainly keeps things interesting. \u201cI see it as an uplifting experience. I get to meet and talk to different people and engage on different levels,\u201d she says. \u201cIt\u2019s about striking a balance between maintaining the estate\u2019s natural beauty and allowing residents to enjoy their homes.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"
Ayanda Duma, environmental manager at Simbithi Eco-Estate<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

THE PATH TO NATURE
\n<\/strong>Ayanda\u2019s journey into environmental work began with a national diploma in landscaping and horticulture. She started her career at the Greyville racecourse, focusing on turf maintenance for horse racing. She later transitioned to a landscaping role at a residential estate before finding her current position at Simbithi, where she has thrived for the past four years. Growing up in Umlazi, Ayanda’s passion for nature was evident from childhood, despite limited exposure to environmental opportunities. This early interest guided her academic choices and ultimately led her to a career aligned with her love for the outdoors.<\/p>\n

CONNECTING WITH KIDS<\/strong>
\nAyanda’s connection to nature is profound, and it\u2019s a passion she has passed on to her eight-year-old son. “If you ask him what wildlife he loves, he’ll tell you better than what I would have told you,\u201d she says proudly. Ayanda\u2019s own father was a teacher and she says she\u2019s inherited his love of education. She runs a number of activities for Simbithi\u2019s youngest residents, including chameleon hunts, gardening, and tree planting and believes strongly in fostering a sense of responsibility from a young age. \u201cKids are very interested in nature if they just have the opportunity,\u201d she says. For the past year, she has also been collaborating with Citizen Leader to run legacy projects at Mavivane Public School in Shakaville, a cause she has found deeply rewarding.<\/p>\n

THE JOYS OF THE JOB<\/strong>
\nThe opportunity her job gives her to help preserve our area\u2019s natural beauty for future generations means everything to her. \u201cMy team and I work according to values of integrity, commitment, accountability, respect and\u00a0excellence,\u201d she says. \u201cWhatever decision we take, we look at ourselves and use our values as a mirror.\u00a0Are we using integrity in this decision-making? Are we being accountable?\u00a0Are we being respectful?\u00a0That\u2019s what brings the team together and also helps us to make the right decisions\u00a0for the future of the estate.\u201d
\nDetails:<\/strong>\u00a0www.simbithi.com<\/a>; 032 946 8360; enquiries@simbithi.com<\/a><\/p>\n

Text: Jennifer Campbell Images: Chris Allan<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

As environmental manager for Simbithi Eco-Estate, Ayanda Duma gets to channel her passion for nature into her work every day. To say Ayanda\u2019s job is multifaceted would be an understatement. \u201cMy job is to look after the flora, which includes the dams as well,\u201d she explains. This responsibility extends to ensuring that the estate\u2019s conservation […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":115,"featured_media":34262,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[51,479,20],"tags":[11021,3984,193,195,759,11022],"class_list":{"0":"post-34260","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-lifestyle","8":"category-people","9":"category-personalities","10":"tag-environmental-manager","11":"tag-flora","12":"tag-nature","13":"tag-outdoors","14":"tag-simbithi-eco-estate","15":"tag-turf"},"yoast_head":"\nNature's protector - Get It Ballito & Umhlanga<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/getitmagazine.co.za\/ballito-umhlanga\/blog\/2024\/07\/02\/natures-protector\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Nature's protector - Get It Ballito & Umhlanga\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"As environmental manager for Simbithi Eco-Estate, Ayanda Duma gets to channel her passion for nature into her work every day. To say Ayanda\u2019s job is multifaceted would be an understatement. \u201cMy job is to look after the flora, which includes the dams as well,\u201d she explains. 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