Our Trainers
Alex van den Heever
General Manager
Alex spent his formative years growing up on a cattle farm in the Western Cape, South Africa. After completing his studies in Marketing and Business Management, he joined Londolozi game reserve in 1995 as a game ranger.
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Academy.
Renias Mhlongo
Trainer Mentor
In 1963, Renias Mhlongo was born in the southern greater Kruger National Park. The Mhlongo family sustained themselves by growing vegetables, tending cattle, hunting and gathering.
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Janetta Bock Benadie
Operations and Internal Moderator
Janetta was born in Namaqualand in Northern Cape and educated at Steinkopf Secondary School where she matriculated in 1988.
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Karel ‘Pokkie’ Benadie
Trainer Mentor
Karel (Pokkie) Benadie was born on 24 July 1963 on the farm Stoltzhoek in the Beaufort West district, now known as the Karoo National Park.
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Innocent Ngwenya
Trainer: Londolozi Game Reserve Campus
Innocent Ngwenya was born on 17 May 1991 in the Village of Utha situated north of the Sabie Sands game reserve. He grew up with his grandmother and three siblings
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The family sustained themselves on his grandmother’s monthly pension payment, and tendered vegetables on a small piece of land owned by the family. Motivated by hunger Innocent and his siblings began trapping birds and small mammals for food. Despite his circumstances Innocent completed matric in 2009.
Innocent’s father introduced him to a project that he was running called the Ntlaweni Wildlife project – a non-profit endeavour that teaches children methods to care for nature. As a guide, his father also introduced him to the knowledge and techniques of nature guiding.
In June 2010, Innocent enrolled at Tracker Academy where he graduated as the top student of the year. Upon graduating he found employment at Ngala Game Reserve as a Tracker. In 2013 Innocent was invited to undergo the intensive 8-week Lead Tracker programme at Tracker Academy, finally passing in 2015 as the youngest Lead Tracker in South Africa. A year later Innocent was selected to start a leopard habituation project in the Okavango Delta in northern Botswana.
In addition to his tracking accolades, Innocent holds a Field Guide level 1, Trails Guide and CATHSSETA assessor qualification. He is currently the Trainer at the Londolozi campus for Tracker Academy.
Amos Mzimba
Head Trainer: Sandringham Nature Reserve
Amos Mzimba was born on March 10, 1960, in the village of Maplangweni, Mozambique. He spent his early years farming and guarding cattle as a shepherd.
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After completing his studies, he joined the Mozambican army, where he served for several years. In 1985, Amos moved to South Africa and began his career with SANParks in the Kruger National Park as a field ranger.
During his 27-year tenure at SANParks, Amos honed his skills as a tracker, gaining significant recognition for his expertise. His outstanding performance led to a promotion to Corporal in 1997 and later to Sergeant in 2004. Amos was also a member of the Special Ops unit in the Kruger Park, where he was responsible for rhino protection efforts in some of the most vulnerable areas of the Kruger Park.
Amos remained dedicated to his role until his retirement in 2017, leaving behind a legacy of exceptional service in wildlife conservation.
He is currently the head trainer of the Rhino Guardians programme based at Sandringham Nature Reserve.
Excellent Mkhabela
Assistant Trainer: Sandringham Nature Reserve
Excellent Mkhabela was born on November 11, 1993, in the village of Justicia, near Sabi Sands Game Reserve.
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He grew up with five siblings under the care of their grandmother, who supported the family as a traditional healer (Sangoma). Excellent spent much of his childhood assisting with farming duties.
After completing his matric in 2013, Excellent worked as a shopkeeper in 2014. In 2015, he undertook a learnership to study boiler-making, followed by further studies in 2017, where he achieved N1-N3 qualifications, CAT 5 certification, and CHIETA Level 2 in Chemical Boiler-making.
He worked as a general worker at SANParks in 2018 and 2019. In 2022, Excellent began studying for the Rhino Guardian course at Tracker Academy. In 2023, he worked as a field ranger at Bhejane 360 anti-poaching unit.
In 2024, Excellent joined Tracker Academy as an assistant trainer, contributing his skills and dedication to wildlife conservation and training.
Walter Shikwalakwala
Trainer: Sandringham Nature Reserve
Walter Shikwalakwala, born at Punda Maria Gate in the northern part of Kruger National Park, has overcome significant challenges to become a respected figure in wildlife tracking and tourism.
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In 2011, Walter began a career in emergency services, completing Firefighter 1 and Hazmat Awareness training with Matjhabeng Fire and Rescue Centre. The following year, he advanced his qualifications with Firefighter 2 and Hazmat Operations through LO Tantsi Fire Consultants and completed a Basic Ambulance Assistance course with Impact Technology.
Encouraged by his sisters, he enrolled with EcoTraining, achieving FGASA Level 1 and Trails Guide certification. Walter’s commitment continued at Tracker Academy, where he attained Trailing Level 3 and Level 4 in Tracks and Signs.
In 2023, Walter joined Tracker Academy as an intern. Due to his exceptional skills and dedication, he was promoted to Head Instructor at the Londolozi training base in January 2024. Currently, he is pursuing a qualification as a Lead Tracker (NQF4) and Tourism Management through UNISA, continually enhancing his expertise and contributing to the field.
Professional trackers trained
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