Welcoming Our Academy Students Of 2026

Our Academic Partners

Before meeting the students, it is worth briefly recognising the institutions helping shape their journeys:

Nelson Mandela University (NMU) - One of South Africa’s leading public universities, with a strong emphasis on applied learning, environmental sciences, and conservation-focused programmes.

NewBridge Graduate Institute (NGI) - A respected private higher-education institution specialising in career-oriented qualifications, including Nature Management and Game Ranch Management, with a strong practical skills component.

UXI Artisan Development - A nationally recognised vocational training network committed to transforming lives through accredited, hands-on skills training. UXI plays a critical role in developing practical, workplace-ready competencies across multiple sectors.

These partnerships are central to what Cango Academy represents: the meeting point between academic learning and operational reality.

Cango Academy Practical Students

Aviwe Maci (20) – Nelson Mandela University (George Campus)

Studying: Third Year, Nature Management & Conservation

Originally from Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape, Aviwe joins us from NMU’s George Campus with a clear enthusiasm for applied conservation learning. She describes herself as “eager to gain practical, hands-on experience,” which is exactly the philosophy of Cango Academy.

With interests rooted in fieldwork, ecological understanding, and observation-based learning, Aviwe will be engaging in projects connected to species monitoring, conservation assessments, and practical data-driven work. The Klein Karoo, with its unique ecological pressures and biodiversity, offers her an ideal classroom without walls.

Dhiya Puran (21) – NewBridge Graduate Institute (Highveld Campus)

Studying: Third Year, Nature Management

Like many of us in the wildlife world, Dhiya, hailing from Secunda, Mpumalanga, has had strong motivation to work in conservation since childhood: “From a little girl I always knew I had a purpose on this planet to save and conserve wildlife.”

Naturally, her motivations, academic focus and interests align strongly with wildlife conservation challenges, ecosystem understanding, and practical field engagement – all valued highly here at Cango. During her year at the Academy, Dhiya will be involved in projects ranging from habitat and veld assessments to species-focused studies and applied conservation observation.

Zhenzin-Bo “Zenny” Claassen (20) – NewBridge Graduate Institute (Tygerberg Campus)

Studying: Third Year, Nature Management

Zenny, from Bloemfontein, Free State, brings with her a deeply personal connection to nature and animals: “I have always been passionate about nature, especially animals… I have always wanted to work with animals and protect those who cannot speak for themselves.”

Zenny’s interests centre strongly on wildlife care, rescue-oriented thinking, and practical animal management. Her year will involve projects linked to species observation, ecological assessments, and the operational realities of working within a multi-disciplinary wildlife facility.

Her placement here represents more than academic training, in her own word: “Thanks to Cango Wildlife and the team here I get to live out my wildest dream.”

UXI Office Administration Students

Alongside our conservation cohort, we are equally pleased to welcome for the first time four students joining us from UXI. 

Under the guidance of our unflappable Assistant Admin Manager, Melissa Brown, these students are here to develop practical competencies in Office Administration and organisational support systems – but where their practical may differ from other such programmes is they will have the opportunity to perform admin work in departments ranging from not only the expected Admin department, but also in Retail, Food & Beverage, Operations, Maintenance and even our Volunteers, Academy, and Animal departments. Thus,ensuring the growth of a broad range of experiences and skills.

Administration is often misunderstood as background work. In reality, it is the structural backbone of any functioning organisation. Without strong administrative systems, conservation programmes, animal management operations, education initiatives, and visitor services simply cannot operate effectively.

These students therefore occupy a critical role within the broader Cango ecosystem. What especially pleases us in this partnership is that all the UXI students are from sister towns near Oudtshoorn which speaks directly to one of our core motivations: to uplift and upskill our local communities all whilst teaching the importance of conservation.

Caydene Oosthuizen (25) – UXI (George Campus)

Caydene, from Dysselsdorp, Western Cape, introduces herself with admirable directness:“I’m a fast learner doing my practicals at Cango Wildlife.”

Adaptability is a defining trait in administrative environments. Office systems are dynamic, interconnected, and deeply embedded across departments. Caydene’s placement will involve exposure to practical office workflows, coordination processes, and operational support functions.

Caylin Lewie (32) – UXI (George Campus)

Also from Dysselsdorp, Caylin’s ambition is both clear and commendable: “To become the best administrator and to build and develop myself on this platform.”

Strong administration is a professional craft requiring structure, accuracy, foresight, and composure. Caylin’s placement will centre on developing these competencies while contributing meaningfully to the organisational workflow of Cango Wildlife.

Jay-Dene Opperman (22) – UXI (George Campus)

Describing herself as: “A very hardworking person and eager to learn” Jay-Dene, joining us from Calitzdorp, shows us that administrative competence is not built solely through technical knowledge, but through problem-solving, organisation, communication, consistency and eagerness. Jay-Dene year with us will focus on developing precisely these professional capabilities and applying them in a real-world, office environment.

Shaan Marie Piedt (34) – UXI (George Campus)

Coming from only a few kilometres outside the Oudtshoorn city limits, from the beautiful village of Schoemanshoek, Shaan shares with us her goal that also perfectly captures the purpose of practical placements: “To align my academic learning with practical experience, developing new skills and establish a foundation for long-term growth.”

This alignment between theory and lived practice sits at the core of vocational training partnerships. Shaan will be working closely with operational systems and administrative processes supporting day-to-day organisational function.

Why These Students Matter

Each student cohort contributes something valuable to Cango Wildlife:

Nature Management and Conservation students bring analytical curiosity, observational insight, research-driven thinking, and passionate environmental care.

Administration students strengthen organisational systems, efficiency, and operational continuity.

All students enrich the culture of mentorship, learning, and professional development that defines Cango Academy.

Student placements are never one-directional. While students gain experience, the organisation benefits from fresh perspectives and evolving skill sets.

A Warm Welcome to the Extended Cango Family

Aviwe, Dhiya, Zenny, Caydene, Jay-Dene, Shaan, and Caylin: Welcome to Cango Wildlife.

You are not simply completing practical hours. You are now part of a living operational ecosystem - contributing, learning, adapting, and growing alongside the teams that make this organisation function.

And to our regular readers: you will undoubtedly encounter these names and contributions throughout the year as projects unfold, departments collaborate, and new professional milestones are reached.

2026 is already proving to be an exciting chapter in the ongoing story of Cango Academy.