jackssid2

There was a thread previously that mentioned about the different guiding training and skills etc. in different countries. Most agree that S.A. & Zim are way ahead in this area. I am writing this because there is one major flaw in the S.A. guiding system.

All guides in S.A. must pass the FGASA (Field Guides Ass. Of S.A.) irrelevant of what training has been done. Then you get practically assessed. There are 3 basic levels: Level 1 - allows you to conduct a limited safari experience ie. game drive
Level 2 - Need to be working for min 1 year
Level 3 - Need a min of 2 years
Yes there is SKS & trails guide etc but these are the basics.
Now here is the problem.
Let us sy that I worked in the Sabi Sands for 1 year. This means that I had the most exposure to big 5 game and spent a lot of time on foot tracking big game and carrying a rifle.
Let us say ranger b worked at a place like ..... This place does not have the big 5, and if it does they are in enclosures or the elephant are half tame.
In 1 year both of us can go for level 2 & both of us are as qualified but I have learnt to shoot and carry a rifle, I have had maximum exposeure to true wild animals, who would you rather be with?
Just thought I would bring this up and maybe someone from FGASA reading this can explain it to me (no I have not paid my fees for many years because left S.A. long ago & no longer guide!)
Also when I did write level1 it was a decent exam. A couple of years later it became open book...To make it easier to become a guide?? I think it should be made more difficult for quality reasons!! No wonder the old timers look at the new blood and do not respect them.
Cheers

luangwablondes

So who, by country, has the best training programs for guides? I have my opinions, which is derived from my own experiences.

mkhonzo

If there is a standard that needs to be accomplished to pass and both A & B pass then both are equal. Whats your beef?

Naturally the longer you have been in the game and the more diverse an area you have worked in means greater experience, but isn't that what life is about?

Do you choose which flight you are going to board because the pilot flew fighter planes or because he passed his assessment? Do you know if your surgeon passed with distinctions or simply passed, afterall he is still a surgeon?

I think you are looking for fight in the wrong place, because at the end of the day I'd rather walk amongst lions with a bushman & chances are he doesn't even know how to write let alone spell FGASA!

HariS

Are they making the licenses easier for guides due to guide shortages getting into the profession? or any other reason?

jackssid2

This is so strange. I posted this about 3 months ago but it is only showing now, in fact there has already been a debate so not sure why it was posted again?

Mokhonzo that is exactly my beef, that both are not equal. You do not choose a guide either, same as a pilot or surgeon but if you did have the choice? You misunderstand me, I am not looking for a fight but I do like to pass on information and make people aware of details. I know of so many guides (especially in Botswana) who are legally allowed to walk guests in a dangerous area that have had less contact with a rifle and wild animals then my sister has. I most definitely would not want to run into a lion with a bushman, great to have him as a tracker but the last bushman tracker I had would wet his pants if he saw a lion!
You seem quite hostile? Are you one of the newer guides who passed the open book tests?

Hari I think the main reason is to allow the previously disadvantaged to enter the industry but I promise I am not making this a political thing.

safarichat

jackssid2
I fully understand what you are saying and I think you have a very valid point. I spent 2 weeks in Botswana and saw the transition as you speak of and was not impressed with a few of the younger guides of the nation who did pass whatever ridiculous test they had. Pathetic to say the least. But thats Africa.
I fully understand where you are coming from.
Wait until one of these so called accredited guides get an American killed for lack of knowledge and then see the s... hit the fan.

safarichat

I mean experience NOT knowledge

mkhonzo

I re-read your post because you are on the money: My response was hostile and going back I wanted to figure out what triggered my ire.

I guess that it was simply your opening statement that there is a flaw with the guiding system in SA. And then it was your justification that two qualified guides could in fact be poles apart in terms of their skills and ability.

You asked about my "genre", frankly I was a guide long before FGASA was an acronym. I have been around the bush once or twice and dodged a few of the dusky fellows in my time too. I was one of the founding fathers of FGASA when the industry had ZERO standards or yard-sticks, so in a sense I was insulted by your comprehension that the guiding system has flaws in spite of FGASA setting the standards. I was presumptuous and thought that all in the industry knew of the growing pains and resentment that FGASA faced in the early days, particularly from the KNP, CCA and MM to its assertion of standards in the industry.

I am however pleased that you have raised the issue and now am curious to know what you have done to address the pitfalls of the flawed system? I gather that your posting is out of concern for the safety of tourists and not so much for the betterment of guiding standards? Or did you only manage a level 1 accreditation with GFGASA and now have an grudge to work through?

I support that organisation warts and all. It is creating a knowledge and a skill base that at the very least is earning South Africa its reputation for great guides.

safarichat

Good, but how long will it last

safarichat

As a white South African I have to ask why I am determined to get OUT of the country of my birth. Surely there must be a reason. The black people are taking over and hate us to bits. They are so good at taking money and implementing AA and BEE but not too good at running a country. You are more than welcome to come and live here but I can assure you it is NOT paradise as we have ineffiecient people with no skills stealling our money.

safarichat

As am writing I keep listening to the message from Telkom telling me to be patient. Thats been going on for nearly 4 hours. TG for satelite

mkhonzo

Is it because the message is in a different language that you have had to listen to it for so long? Surely if you understood it in the first minute you would have hung up the phone then, what are you waiting for?

DonTopaz

Every time I read a post by safarichat I feel the need to take a long, hot shower.

mkhonzo

Well for someone who is in the travel industry that directly benefits from the positive comments that are made on this board regarding the destination safari chat has a remarkable knack of shooting himself in the foot. Too bad.

safarichat

mkhonzo
On a soft note now. I am merely trying as jack did to tell the world what is really happening in Africa. For those of you who do not live here it is not a Democracy as you know. But I do not want to get into it as I made the big mistake of thinking if I voiced my opinion on Fodors there might be someone in power who is listening. But I was wrong so forgive me and get on with it. Before I log off I would like to ask the entire boards opinion on what they think about Robert Mugabe spending 3 trillion Zim Dollars = 8 million Rand on his birthday bash at Beit Bridge yesterday when so many of his people are starving. The funny thing is that he had it at Beit Bridge because the only food and drink they could get came from Messina which is 10kms into South Africa.
I love Africa but am extremely concerned where it is going. Why don't any of you guys go to Zimbabwe for a safari. Do you want this to happen in SA or Bots. The only reason I am posting is because i really do care.
Rizzuto, By all means go take a long hot shower, in fact I would highly reccomend a long 4 hour bath so you can soak and think how nice your next safari to Kenya or Zimbabwe will be.