Stephen Panagos
Cape Town
Summary
Dynamic conservationist and educator with over 7 years of hands-on experience in various roles within conservation and ecotourism, including game farm management, nature guiding, and wildlife monitoring. Extensive background as a lecturer and module lead in wildlife management, with a focus on game reserve and ranch operations. Author of two children's books and currently developing a Master's research proposal centered on human-wildlife conflict. Actively establishing an innovative consultancy to support lodges and game farms with ecological reporting, staff training, and hospitality strategy, blending field expertise with academic insight to create sustainable, guest-centered conservation solutions.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Lecturer
Newbridge Gradate institute
Tygervalley
05.2024 - Current
- Deliver lectures and tutorials; Design, prepare and develop courses, modules and teaching materials;
- Develop and implement new methods of teaching to reflect changes in research;
- Assess students' coursework;
- Set, mark and moderate examinations and assessments;
- Support students through an advisory role;
- Carry out administrative tasks related to the department, such as student admissions, induction programmes and involvement in the companies committees;
- Contribute to professional conferences and seminars in your field of expertise;
- Participate in staff training activities.
- Increased student interest by incorporating real-world examples into lessons and connecting material to relevant experiences.
- Developed strong relationships with colleagues, collaborating on curriculum development and sharing best practices in teaching strategies.
- Evaluated student progress through regular assessments, providing detailed feedback for improvement and growth.
- Mentored and advised students to explore career pathways based and amplify knowledge, skills and strengths.
- Facilitated interactive lectures that enhanced student understanding and participation.
- Cultivated critical thinking skills through challenging assignments that required analysis, synthesis, and evaluation of information from various sources.
- Selected and designed lesson plans and curriculum to meet academic objectives.
- Collaborated with faculty and staff to create meaningful learning experiences.
Commercial Broker
OUTsurance
Pretoria, South Africa
08.2023 - 05.2024
- Providing insurance advice to clients;
- Maintaining client and business relationships;
- Providing insurance cover for business as well as personal clients;
- Advising clients on risk management initiatives;
- Utilising various marketing strategies to obtain and maintain new and set clients;
- Preparing reports for underwriters and management;
- Supporting clients in claims on their insurance and business offerings;
- Researching insurance policies;
- Updating and upselling of existing policies and products;
- Keeping detailed computer records;
- Scheduling and attending various meetings;
- Generating and sourcing of my own clients;
- Processing of accounts and all general admin that applies to the position;
- Achieving sales and other targets set by the company.
Game farm and general manager
Letsatsi Game Farm
Koster, South Africa
04.2023 - 08.2023
- Managing the Animals on the game farm and animal breeding programmes;
- Guiding hunters during hunts and follow up of hunted animals;
- Guiding guests ecotourism guests on the farm;
- Managing and facilitation all of the tourism based programmes;
- Herd management and the improvement of genes;
- Management of the various teams of workers on the farm;
- Record keeping for all financial transactions and movement of livestock;
- Managing of animal feeding programs;
- Management and prevention of poaching;
- All general maintenance (Farm, Fences, and facilities);
- Supervise staff with regards to farm duties;
- Ecological management of the game farm;
- Manage the capture/relocation of animals, as and when required/ and /or the supervision or oversee the process when conducted by professionals;
- Assist with the lodge and lodge management;
- Allocating of daily and weekly duties as when and when required by/ or otherwise instructed by the owner;
- Have meetings with staff and owners;
- To perform duties according to the Millvale farm watch;
- Administrative tasks
- Formulated policies and procedures to streamline operations.
- Managed a diverse team of professionals, fostering a positive work environment and high employee satisfaction.
- Implemented operational strategies and effectively built customer and employee loyalty.
Lecturer and Programme Coordinator, Department of Nature Management
Centurion Academy
Klerksdorp
01.2019 - 04.2023
- As lecturer: Deliver lectures and tutorials;
- Design, prepare and develop courses, modules and teaching materials;
- Develop and implement new methods of teaching to reflect changes in research;
- Assess students' coursework;
- Set, mark and moderate examinations and assessments;
- Support students through an advisory role;
- Carry out administrative tasks related to the department, such as student admissions, induction programmes and involvement in the companies committees;
- Contribute to professional conferences and seminars in your field of expertise;
- Participate in staff training activities;
- Health and safety officer for the campus;
- Assisting in the management of the Faan Meintjies nature reserve;
- Assisting in the marketing of the company through open days and school visits.
- As programme coordinator: Assist with planning and coordination of programs and their activities;
- Monitor implementation of program policies and practices;
- Work to keep programs on schedule, within stated budgets and functioning smoothly;
- Support program growth and development as necessary;
- Coordinate program communications;
- Manage staff work, workloads and work schedules;
- Administer or oversee community outreach;
- Coordinate interactions/relationships between staff within the department and management;
- Schedule and organize program-related meetings and events;
- Create and maintain program records, reports, presentations and proposals;
- Facilitate positive relations between the program team, the public, the media, other departments within the organization, and all other involved parties.
- Collaborated with faculty to design assessment methods for comprehensive evaluations.
- Developed and delivered engaging curricula to enhance student learning outcomes.
Tourism and Security Manager
Matswani Private Game Reserve
05.2017 - 12.2018
- Planning of all tourism activities on the reserve and all activities off the reserve (external trips);
- Booking all excursions for the guests of the lodge;
- Booking guests stay at stay easy in Pretoria;
- Scheduling of staff rosters and duties;
- Training of guides with regards to their work;
- (Nature based and hospitality based training);
- Purchasing of all equipment and clothing for my staff compliment;
- Weekly meetings with my staff compliment;
- Update of all notice boards for all lodges regarding tour and bar information for each tourist group coming in;
- All HR and admin functions pertaining to my staff compliment;
- Making sure all vehicles are maintained (both cruisers and external activity vehicles);
- All licensing of the fleet of vehicles;
- Executing visa applications for translators;
- In charge of all first aid on the reserve;
- Weekly reports for the owners and other management;
- Assisting or standing in for the other mangers of the various lodges on Matswani;
- Duty manager;
- Hosting of guests;
- Assisting with purchasing and stock (F and B);
- Interim Lodge Manager for Rhino Lodge November'17 till March 2018.
- Developed and implemented comprehensive security protocols for wildlife protection and visitor safety.
- Trained and mentored security staff to ensure effective monitoring of reserve boundaries.
- Coordinated emergency response plans, enhancing preparedness for wildlife encounters or intrusions.
- Managed a team of security personnel, providing regular training for improved performance and professional growth.
Ranger
Kololo Game Reserve
02.2016 - 05.2017
- Game drives on Welgevonden Game Reserve (big 5) as well as on Kololo;
- Game counts bush clearing and dealing with problem/alien plants;
- Liaising with and hosting of guests;
- Manging the lodge and its operation in the absence of the general manager;
- Stock counts, general maintenance of all vehicles and equipment on the farm;
- Technical advisory with regards to ecotourism and nature conservation;
- Transportation of staff and guests;
- Assisting with Front of House and back of house functions and duties;
- Fence patrols and ecological work on the reserve;
- Assisting in game capture and assisting the reserve manager with the game found on the farm;
- Assisting in kitchen where needs be.
- Led educational programs for visitors, enhancing awareness of wildlife protection efforts.
- Conducted wildlife monitoring and tracking to ensure ecosystem health and species conservation.
- Managed daily patrols to prevent poaching and protect natural habitats effectively.
- Mentored junior rangers on best practices in field operations and safety protocols.
- Evaluated park resources regularly, recommending improvements to enhance visitor experiences and sustainability.
- Enforced park rules and regulations fairly and consistently, educating visitors about responsible recreation practices when necessary.
- Preserved natural resources by implementing sustainable practices and monitoring wildlife habitats.
Head Ranger/Duty Manager
Phelwana Game Lodge
05.2015 - 02.2016
- Guided Bush walks and game drives;
- Liaising with clients;
- Promoting the company through various marketing techniques;
- Hosting of guests;
- Educating of guests from a ecotourism and nature conservation perspective;
- Performing the management of the lodge in the absence of the general manager or owner;
- Managing junior staff;
- Stock counts, general maintenance of all vehicles and equipment forum on the reserve;
- Technical advisory with regards to ecotourism and nature conservation;
- Delegation of duties and responsibilities;
- Transportation of staff and guests;
- Front of House and back of house assistance;
- Fence patrols and ecological work on the reserve;
- Barman, waiting on guests;
- Assisting in kitchen where needs be.
Assistant Branch Manager
Cellucity Cavendish Square
Cavendish Square
12.2013 - 05.2015
- Overseeing the retail and sales function of the branch;
- Helping with all branch administration;
- Assisting in contract sales and upgrades of contracts;
- Performing monthly stock takes;
- Customer liaison and customer relations;
- Assisting the manager in overseeing staff members and their performance.
Senior Guide/Ranger
Camp Jabulani Relais and Chateau
12.2012 - 12.2013
- Guided Bushwalks and game drives;
- Liaising with and hosting of clients;
- Promoting the company through marketing campaigns;
- Assisting in management of the lodge;
- General maintenance of lodge equipment and vehicles;
- Technical advisory on tourism related or nature conservation related aspects of the lodge;
- Assisted with safety and risk management of lodge and its surrounds;
- Interpretation and educating guests on wildlife, natural history, ecology and other tourism aspects and activities in and around the area.
Sales, management, retail
Chain Saw Mecca
12.2011 - 10.2012
- General administration;
- Performing human resource functions for the shop;
- Helping with product placement and marketing of the shop;
- Advisory assistance to clients;
- Assistance with general maintenance of equipment;
- Management of stock and monthly stock takes;
- Serving and assisting clients.
Ndumo Game Reserve
12.2010 - 12.2011
- Performing Environmental education programmes for schools in the area;
- Conducting game counts;
- Performing buffalo, rhino and crocodile capture and monitoring;
- Assisting community work and liaising with community members attached to the programme;
- Nature conservation, ecotourism and reserve work;
- Performing research on the reserve;
- Performing hospitality and tourism functions for the reserve;
- Assistance with general maintenance and upkeep of reserve facilities (fencing, repairs to reserve facilities i.e. causeway repairs, maintenance and repairs to bird and animal hides, bush clearing of alien vegetation and bush encroachment);
- Assistance in maintaining of water supply;
- Maintain and establishment of fencing and general maintenance of Ndumo schools vegetable gardens;
- Assisting in culling operations and abattoir work;
- Assisting in the feeding programme in the Ndumo community.
Experiential training
National Zoological Gardens Pretoria
Pretoria
06.2010 - 12.2010
- Assisting the zoo with signage, branding and product placement;
- Assistance with general maintenance of the zoo;
- Assisting in research projects and statistic capturing for the zoo;
- Cleaning of and maintenance of the zoo enclosures;
- Assisting in feeding of the various animal species kept at the zoo.
Education
High School Diploma -
Pretoria Boys High School
12-2002
National Diploma - Graphic Design
Tshwane University of Technology
Bachelor of Technology in Ecotourism Management -
Tshwane University of Technology
PretoriaSkills
- Tourism Management
- Nature Management
- Hospitality Management
- Microsoft suite
- Operations/Project management
- Community/conservation development
- Workshop development and organization
- Maintenance
- Lecture development
- Online class discussion
- Discussion facilitation
- PowerPoint
- Classroom management
- Student counseling
- Public speaking
- Organization
- Time management
- Excellent communication
- Academic writing
- Class management
- Academic research
- Presentations
- Student engagement
- Lesson planning
- Online lectures
- Subject expertise
- Academic advisement
- Curriculum creation
- Feedback delivery
- Research and analysis
Certification
- FGASA level 1
- Rifle competency: bolt action carbine, 7.62semi automatic
- First Aid Level 1
- Fire fighting training
- Dangerous snake handling and identification course, drum beat academy
- Health and safety officer done with SAMREC
- Fire fighting Certification
Languages
English
Afrikaans
Timeline
Lecturer
Newbridge Gradate institute
05.2024 - Current
Commercial Broker
OUTsurance
08.2023 - 05.2024
Game farm and general manager
Letsatsi Game Farm
04.2023 - 08.2023
Lecturer and Programme Coordinator, Department of Nature Management
Centurion Academy
01.2019 - 04.2023
Tourism and Security Manager
Matswani Private Game Reserve
05.2017 - 12.2018
Ranger
Kololo Game Reserve
02.2016 - 05.2017
Head Ranger/Duty Manager
Phelwana Game Lodge
05.2015 - 02.2016
Assistant Branch Manager
Cellucity Cavendish Square
12.2013 - 05.2015
Senior Guide/Ranger
Camp Jabulani Relais and Chateau
12.2012 - 12.2013
Sales, management, retail
Chain Saw Mecca
12.2011 - 10.2012
Ndumo Game Reserve
12.2010 - 12.2011
Experiential training
National Zoological Gardens Pretoria
06.2010 - 12.2010
Bachelor of Technology in Ecotourism Management -
Tshwane University of Technology
High School Diploma -
Pretoria Boys High School
National Diploma - Graphic Design
Tshwane University of Technology