D3 held its second career awareness day for 2014 on Saturday 22 February, at Oosrand Secondary High School, in Reiger Park, Boksburg.

A number of industry leaders and professionals shared their stories and opened the minds of the learners to wonderful new and exciting careers.

Antonia Bezuidenhout, excelled in Biology and Geography whilst still at school and knew that she wanted to study Conservation from an early age.  She attended the Tshwane University of Technology (formally known as Pretoria Technikon) where she completed her NDIP in Nature Conservation, later completing her BTECH also in Nature Conservation. She is currently studying toward an Msc in Environmental Science.

Antonia spoke of her first conservation experience when she worked at the Rietvlei Zoo Farm south of Johannesburg over weekends.  Cleaning cages, preparing food and fixing. Not very “Conservation” but a stepping stone none the less. She later worked at Mapungubwe National Park a Word Heritage Site, where she was exposed to Law Enforcement, Environmental Education, Research and Archaeology. 

She has also worked at the Biological Resource Centre based at the Pretoria Zoo as well as the Kruger National Park, later joining the Gauteng Provincial Government as a Senior Nature Conservator working in Protected Area Expansion.  Antonia is currently employed as a Senior Scientist working on an Alien Invasive Vegetation Clearing Project. Adri Venter took the learners through her varied career, which spans across several sectors that have equipped her with multiple skills, which enable her to identify and integrate multi-disciplinary aspects of large and complex environmental projects.

Her knowledge and understanding of environmental impacts are broad, and include air and water quality as well as human health. Adri has undertaken environmental projects across several industries, which include mining, construction, government and large corporations. Adri has a Master of Science degree in Geography and Environmental Studies, with specific reference to environmental management, air and water quality. She also holds a B(Ed) Adult Education which has supported her career in environmental education, lecturer and Education and Training Development Practitioner

Samantha Lange is an environmental health practitioner (EHP) qualified at a graduate level in environmental health. She spoke of the important role that an EHP places, to ensures that communities are able to live in a clean, safe and healthy environment, by conducting inspections and evaluations of facilities such as, restaurants, schools, industries, residential properties, open spaces and so forth. EHP’s work mostly for municipalities or provincial governments but a can also be employed in private companies.

Dr. Johan van Biljon is one of the prominent agricultural scientists in Africa with more than 28 years experience. He started his career as an extension officer and technical advisor for various companies. He was a lecturer and later Acting Head of the Department of Agronomy at the University of the Free State until he returned to the private sector.

John received the Research Medal of the FSSA during 1995 and 2011. He has published numerous popular publications and several scientific papers, one of which was awarded as best paper for 2008 by a South African Society of Crop Production member. He was on the SASCP Council for 10 years and also the society’s national president for 2003 and 2009.

Despite his scientific and academic credentials, Johan is ultimately a practitioner of agriculture and has a deep insight into and understanding of crop production. He understands the business environment and also has vast experience especially the management of technical people in different fields of practice, within a commercial environment. 

“Our morning was well attended and for the first time even the parents participated with their children. Active involvement is such as positive sign! I think the learners really had it in their mind that the topic had something to do with farming and I believe that they went home with a wealth of information and in someway their horizon broadened”, says Lara Slogrove, MD, D3.

D3 continues to host the event throughout 2014 and all dates and career fields are available on the website.