Minister George to lead World Ranger Day Commemoration at Table Mountain National Park

30 July 2025

The Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Dr Dion George, will lead the 2025 World Ranger Day commemoration at Table Mountain Park on 31 July 2025. Hosted by the South African National Parks’ (SANParks), the commemoration will also be attended by the SANParks Board Chair, Ms Pam Yako, and Chief Executive Officer, Ms Hapiloe Sello.

World Ranger Day, celebrated on 31 July each year, commemorates rangers killed or injured in the line of duty, and celebrates the work rangers do to protect the world's natural and cultural heritage. The 2025 theme for the Day is Rangers, Powering Transformative Conservation, which highlights the key role rangers play in delivering global targets such as the Sustainable Development Goals and specific conservation targets including the Global Biodiversity Framework Target 3, which seeks to successfully protect 30% of the planet by 2030.

Rangers sacrifice their safety and well-being to lead the protection of our planet’s natural resources, often under extremely difficult working conditions. As the people working on the frontline, rangers combine traditional knowledge with modern technology, thus revolutionizing how we protect the planet.

Though much progress still needs to be made to elevate Rangers, World Ranger Day is an opportunity to pause and reflect on the important role they play, while expressing gratitude for their sacrifices and service.

World Ranger Day Details 
Date: Thursday, 31 July 2025 
Time: 09:30 – 12:45 
Venue: Kloofnek Parking Area, Tafelberg Road, Table Mountain National Park, Cape Town

Attendees and media will be exposed to the following:

• Drill by Rangers

• Demonstration by Sea Air and Mountain Team, K9 unit, marine unit resources

• Resources available across South African National Parks

MEMBERS OF THE MEDIA WHO WISH TO RSVP, CAN CONTACT:

Gabrielle Venter: 
+27 83 825 9435 
Gabrielle.Venter@sanparks.org

Babalwa Dlangamandla: 
+27 76 724 2416 
Babalwa.Dlangamandla@sanparks.org

FOR MEDIA ENQUIRIES, PLEASE CONTACT:

SANParks: Charles Phahlane:
+27 82 856 8188
Charles.Phahlane@sanparks.org

DFFE: Thobile Zulu-Molobi:
+27 82 513 7154
tmolobi@dffe.gov.za 

Chelsey Wilken:
074 470 5996
cwilken@dffe.gov.za