1. May you give us a background about yourself

Reliance Nenzhelele is a 25 years old nature conservation graduate. She studied her National Diploma in nature conservation at Tshwane University of Technology and furthered her studies to obtain BTech qualification at the Nelson Mandela University.  She also has a qualification in project management from the University of Cape Town. In 2019 she was appointed as an National Youth Services volunteer in the science communication division by SAASTA (South African Agency for Science and Technology) and she was hosted at Sci-Enza Science Centre, University of Pretoria. This opportunity enhanced skills in communication and discovered that her true passion is teaching people about the environment and she would one day like to pursue a career in environmental education. She is currently volunteering as an assistant education officer at Walter Sisulu National Botanical gardens.

2. What inspired you to choose that career field?

City life is fast and busy. People tend to mostly focus on the rush, so I felt the need to be different and care about something that is bigger than myself. It is amazing how nature has its own ways to keep one calm and relaxed. I have always been curious about everything concerning nature.

3. What is the most exciting thing about your career choice?

Nature conservation is a very broad field and you get to learn about almost everything concerning the environment, yet you can still choose your specialty. You also get to contribute towards solving global issues such as climate change and poaching. Personally, I love travelling and conservation gives me that opportunity to travel and see different landscapes and soil, one also engages with different people from different cultural backgrounds.

What is most exciting about my career field is that you get to interact with nature very often, basically nature becomes part of you. I never thought id e in a position whereby catching a snake would be a career for me as I come from a society that have stereotype around snakes. I also enjoy the fact that animals are actually our friends and it is unfortunate that we are their enemies because we prey on them.

4. What does it mean to be a woman in your field of career and in the country of your birth?

Being a woman in conservation means you constantly have to work two times harder as it is a male dominant industry.  It also means that you get to inspire other women that it is possible to be the first woman to manage a conservation area, it is possible to be the first female conservationist to own a game lodge, basically all it is possible.

5. What advise can you give to women who wish to be where you are and even further?

Decide on what you want, stay focused and never stop dreaming. When you feel like giving up, always remember the reason you started in the first place. Take up the space and be the change that you wish to see.

6. What lesson are you taking with you from the women of 1956?

I have learnt that if we unite as women, we can conquer the world and achieve greater things. We are powerful and brave. We should always fight for what is right, we are imbokodos.