‘Woman’ should be a verb. A ‘doing’ word. Active. Strong. Involved. Determined. This is the impression that I get from interviewing Tshinangwe Maria Moate, SANParks’ Manager for Environmental Education. She believes that “it is through action that we learn, it is through action that we remember, and it is through action that we shape the future”.
Moate describes herself in terms of her actions and the many projects she is involved in, within SANParks, and the broader social context. She is ‘woman’, as defined above. Energetic, strong, involved and determined to do her bit for the people of South Africa through conservation and education.
As manager for Environmental Education, Moate’s day to day job involves the overall coordination of the Environmental Education and Awareness programme for SANParks. She manages Public – Private initiatives such as the Morula Kids Art Competition and Kids in Parks. This involves liasing with various government departments and sponsors, and ensuring that the infrastructural development of the parks can accommodate visits by learners and educators. Moate also has to ensure that the learners benefit to the full from these trips to the parks by preparing quality assured outcomes-based, interactive learning materials.
Her philosophy towards her work, and by extension, her life, developed from her experience as a College of Education lecturer in Environmental Education and Geography. “Students would listen to me, read something, but still they would forget the lesson. When we made models, and interacted with the material, the students began to remember, and abstract concepts became real”.
This philosophy has extended into Moate’s role in conservation as well. “How we interact with our environment determines the livelihoods of every single South African” she explains; “neglecting the environment has serious and long-reaching consequences”. She believes that often neglect or inaction is the result of ignorance, “and through education, I can help this” she explains. “When people begin to see, through their interaction with the environment, how conservation works, abstract ideas like biodiversity become more concrete, and easier to understand, just like in the classroom”.
She gives the example of Nobel Prize Wangari Maathai as a woman with a similar philosophy. Maathai grew up witnessing forests being cleared and replaced by commercial plantations that destroyed local biodiversity. “She saw that this action had consequences that affected the women living in this environment, and so took steps to remedy this situation. By way of this, people, and especially women, learnt more about their environment and how to interact with it in a sustainable way”, explains Moate, “We need more women like this!”
In her role as educator, Moate is contributing to changing the gendered conservation environment as well. “The first step is the inclusion of ‘environment’ in the curriculum, which ensures that all learners are exposed to the various aspects of conservation” she says. The next step is to ensure that female role models are visible and can encourage female learners. “Women work quietly and often without recognition to protect the environment, promote democracy, defend human rights and ensure equality between women and men” she adds. “They should be recognized for their effort and encouraged”.
Moate hopes that “with time, and through our actions as an organization, learners of all genders will be equal partners in the conservation of our natural and cultural resources”. Her long list of achievements and continuing leadership in the fields of environment, education and gender suggest that her hopes will surely be realised.
Moate has a BA Honours in Geography, and a Masters degree in Public Administration. But this is just where her qualifications begin, because Moate is constantly involved in projects to develop her skills and put what she has learnt into practice.
Some of the high profile initiatives Moate has been involved include serving as Co-ordinator for the Multistakeholder Advisory Committee on the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) at DEA&T. She led the Development of the Environmental Education and Awareness Action Plans through the Danced Capacity Building project on Waste Management, participated in Environmental Education Curriculum Initiatives within the National Standard Qualification Framework and sat on the NEEP steering committee for Gauteng Province.
She has been a representative at the United Nations General Assembly on the Status of Women in New York, participated in the Environmental Education and Awareness Seminar for African Countries in India, participated in and mobilised South African youth to participate in various International Youth Environmental conferences in Israel, Costa Rica, Ireland, Sweden, England and Italy.
Further to this she has represented SANParks as the member of the Human and Social Science NSB for Archaeology, is a member of the Environmental Education Association of South Africa (EEASA), a member of the Society of South African Geographers and International Union of Geographers (IGU), is Chairperson of the Gold Fields Faith & Earth Keeping Environmental Project run by UNISA and a member of The World Conservation Union – Commission on Education and Communication (IUCN-CEC).
This long list only refers to her professional or work-related experience. Moate also has a highly commendable public service record. She is the first woman Chairperson of the National Council of the South African Young Men Christian Association and has represented South Africa’s YMCA at the World Council Centenary Meeting in Warwick, England. She is Chairperson of the Lutheran Women’s Desk (Women for Charity) and is technical advisor to the Tshwane Environmental Forum.
Moate has won numerous awards for her efforts, and the Eco-club that she founded has won a number of awards too.
This energy and well developed sense of social conscience have shaped Moate for the part she has played in of the changing landscape of SANParks. “I can contribute to the well articulated Mission and Vision of our organization by ensuring that education about both nature and culture receive equal attention. I can also equip staff with this knowledge. It’s a constant process of improvement”, she explains. Moate believes in solutions, not in problems. She is ‘woman’ as an attitude towards action.
“At the end of the day, it’s the eyes, the happy faces that drive your to the next level in your work, she says. “Education is a life long process, and everyone can make a difference by getting involved”.