WOMEN IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR
Writer: Allison Cooper
Cathy Dreyer tracks success A
s a youngster, Cathy Dreyer often hiked up Table Mountain and she knew that when she was older she
wanted a career that involved the outdoors.
That desire has led her on a journey that has seen her become a dedicated conservationist and law enforcement officer. Dreyer is also the first female head ranger at the Kruger National Park (KNP), a position she took up in May. “I chose to study nature conservation because part of the course required completing a full year of experiential training, gaining experience in all aspects of conservation. “After that, it was a natural progression for me to continue working in conservation and ranger services,” she explains. Dreyer was born in Cape Town and grew up in Grassy Park but later moved to Diep River. She relocated to the KNP from Addo Elephant National Park in the Eastern Cape – approximately 1 500 kilometres away – to take up her new post.
Saving rhino Dreyer was previously based at the KNP, from 2017, monitoring black rhino and conducting surveillance in the intensive Cat hy Dreyer is t he f irst female head ranger at t he Kruger National Park.
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protection zone. “I spent just under three years doing this
Public Sector Manager • November 2021
