Omphile Khutsoane - SAEON Arid Lands Node

Science Education Officer at Arid Lands Node (Kimberley). Omphile was appointed as the node’s Education Officer in November 2014. Over and above her involvement in the education outreach programme, the versatile young Education Officer provides administrative assistance to node staff. Since joining SAEON’s Arid Lands Node as an intern early in 2014, Omphile Khutsoane has been very active in planning and initiating the node’s science education outreach programme, which is aimed at bringing active science closer to learners and educators. To this end, she has designed, produced and distributed appropriate educational material in both hard copy and electronic formats, which has been well received by learners and educators alike. Omphile holds a National Diploma in Nature Conservation from the Tshwane University of Technology, and has also pursued her studies at the Mangosuthu University of Technology with a B-Tech in Nature Conservation. She is currently enrolled for a postgraduate diploma in Nature Conservation, majoring in Conservation Ecology. In 2010, she worked as an intern at South African National Parks (SANParks). Based at Golden Gate Highlands National Park, she gained extensive experience in environmental education. Since then she has been involved with various environmental organisations such as Ushaka Marine World in KwaZulu-Natal, where she interacted with visitors to the aquarium by coordinating interpretation of the marine environment and disseminating information. Her passion for community involvement and young people in particular, has inspired her to work for a couple of leading environmental entities such as Klapperkop Nature Reserve and Magoebaskloof Adventures.