Once it was goats and cows and now it is rhinos, lions and poachers, but steely Shamwari anti-poaching unit member Sesethu Andries is up for the challenge.
The 30-year-old is one of only four female anti-poaching unit members working in protected areas in SA.
Speaking on the eve of World Rangers’ Day , Andries said after joining the Shamwari Private Game Reserve six years ago, she had initially worked at the wildlife rehabilitation centre.
“My job was to help care for sick or injured animals that had been brought in, but then I got talking to the anti-poaching rangers who were often the ones who brought these animals in and that led to me changing careers.
“I am happy with my move. The training is very tough and I wasn’t cut any slack because I’m a woman.
“But it has to be to ensure I can perform to the same standards as my male counterparts in the bush. Their lives and those of the animals we protect depend on it.”
She said growing up in Paterson, she mostly played with boys and had to look after her family's livestock.
“Those two things prepared me for this job.
“I learnt to love animals and I was also able to fit in fine as a member of the anti-poaching unit, which is a male-dominated job.”
Andries said while there was always a possibility the unit might run into lions or other dangerous species while on foot patrol, their training kept them safe.
“We learn to be attuned to animal behaviour generally. If a jackal is calling then you know there might be a lion in that area.
“If you encounter a lion, the main thing is not to run. Keep looking at it and don’t turn your back.”
Andries said after matriculating she headed to Gqeberha to study mechanical engineering.
Though she was passing fine, she had to drop out for financial reasons and instead started a business creating art for T-shirts.
Her mother had at one point when Andries was a child worked at Shamwari as a housekeeper.
“I used to go to visit her and also there were school outings where we got the opportunity to visit the reserve.
“Those two things gave me some understanding of conservation, so when the chance came to join the Shamwari team, I took it.”
She said the best thing about her job as a member of the anti-poaching unit was seeing the wildlife.
Rodney Visser, head of Shamwari’s 19-strong anti-poaching unit, said members had to be dedicated, committed and physically fit.
“The reserve is 250km² and on patrol they need to carry all their equipment plus food, water, sleeping bags and tents — and still be able to track, chase and apprehend any poachers they find.
“Their training is rigorous and includes firearm competency, close-quarter combat, special weapons and tactics, tracking, first aid, basic firefighting and, of course, animal behaviour.
“They attend Criminal Procedures Act courses and there’s also specialist dog-handling and drone-pilot training.”
He said the anti-poaching unit was just one part of a much broader effort to protect SA’s wildlife and effective counter-poaching required a multi-dimensional approach, where private game reserves, national parks, police, prosecution authorities and communities all worked together.
Visser said events such as World Ranger Day were important to focus attention on the work that rangers did to protect and conserve wildlife, often at risk to their own lives.
The 2025 World Rangers’ Day theme is “Rangers, powering transformative conservation”.
According to the International Ranger Federation, there are about 286,000 rangers globally.
The federation said at least 174 rangers from 40 countries had died in the line of duty between June 1 2024 and May 31 2025, with most killed during encounters with poachers or wild animals.
The Herald
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