THE South African National Parks (SANParks) has appointed Hapiloe Sello as its chief executive officer (CEO).
Sello is the first female CEO since the parks was established in 1926.
According to Pam Yako, chair of the SANParks board, the announcement comes after a Cabinet meeting on Wednesday, 29 March.
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Yako said the board was delighted to appoint a leader of Sello’s calibre to the position with excellent knowledge of the interconnectedness of conservation, tourism and people.
“I have no doubt that SANParks is in good hands for the next phase of its growth,” she said.
Sello joined SANParks in 2015 as managing executive for Tourism Development and Marketing, and including acting as a CEO of SANParks from June to November 2022.
“As managing executive for Tourism, she has spearheaded the implementation of the organisation’s commercialisation strategy, introducing several tourism products, events and strategic partnerships that have helped bring in the necessary resources to SANParks,” said Yako.
She said this was a significant step forward the transformation and empowerment of women in the sector.
“On behalf of the board, we extend our gratitude to Minister Barbara Creecy for her unwavering support in this appointment,” she said.
Yako wished Sello well in her new role and encouraged both internal and external partners to support her in this role.
