Schalk and Candice Pretorius
Directors and Owners of Ulovane Environmental Training
Ulovane Environmental Training was set up in 2005 by Schalk and Candice Pretorius, a young dynamic team. This conservation minded couple have been in the lodge and guiding industry for over 15 years. Schalk heads up the Training and Planning side of the business, while Candice runs the Marketing and Recruitment side of things. The students become a part of the family and this is very important to the Pretorius’s who have a brood of three of their own.
Schalk has a passion and dedication for training that has gone from strength to strength. He has been guiding since 1996 and has achieved FGASA Level 3 Special knowledge and skills (SKS) in Dangerous Animals & Birds as well as being a qualified FGASA Marine Guide and Tracker. Schalk has been a FGASA accredited trainer and assessor since 2001 and is registered as an accredited CASSHETA assessor. Schalk has the relevant ETQA assessor and moderator qualifications, as well as his CASSHETA qualifications for handling rifles and hand guns. Schalk is in his element and at his best when in nature, exploring and sharing his knowledge of the bush with enthusiastic learners. Most importantly he has the experience, knowledge and passion for the nature, which he enjoys sharing with others. He ensures that once you have spent time with us at Ulovane, you are able to go out in to the guiding industry being the best of the best. Schalk is a great motivational speaker and has coached and assisted many people over the years.
Advice from Schalk:
Come to the course prepared! Watch National Geographic, Planet Earth and read whatever wildlife books and magazines you have.
Candice has been involved in the lodge industry since 1996 and has built a wide network of contacts within lodges all over South Africa. Thanks to her extensive knowledge and experience of the lodge and hospitality industry, she heads up the marketing and recruitment side for Ulovane. Candice handles all communications with prospective and previous students. All students both past and current are considered to be a part of the family and Candice is great at keeping in touch and getting in touch. She is a passionate conservationist and dealing with people is what she does best!
Schalk and Candice pride themselves in the work that they do and will continue to ensure that the Field Guide industry booms with professional, knowledgeable and passionate guides. They take a personal interest in each and every student and enjoy sharing their passion and dedication with all their students.
Candice’s motto:
Dreams come a size too big, so that we can grow into them ~ Josie Bisset
Heidi van Der Merwe
Admin and Camp co-ordinator
Having had an early interest in wildlife, and many a trip into the KNP, post school led to a Zoology and Psychology degree. The travel bug hit and a few countries later where cheese packing, horse-training and loans advisor were all tried, the teaching dream finally came true while living in the Caribbean. Heidi taught Biology, IT, Life orientation, and even Economic management systems in sign language! After lecturing at an FET college for a time teaching Engineering mathematics, life moved from KZN to Limpopo and vocational training, course development and design in lodge management and captive wild animal care fields. Heidi is a whizz in the office and ensures all our admin at the camp is up to date. Heidi will also be active in food and beverage control, as well as making sure everyone happy healthy and on the go!
Education is vital as ignorance cannot be the excuse for the demise of our environment any more – but if it is not relevant, interesting or gainful, it’s a battle lost before it’s begun…
Ben Bremer
Landowner Ulovane Reserve
Ben is our longest student at Ulovane; he arrived in 2005 and has continued his studies since then. He purchased 350 hectares of land in 2007 and began development by building Ulovane Camp. Ben is 100% behind green energy and sustainable lifestyle at the camp.
He has a Degree in Economics and is a qualified concrete engineer CB1, with 25 years of managing a concrete manufacturing plant in Holland. In 2000 he retired and wanted to do something more meaningful with his life – so he came to Africa! Ben is a Level 3 Trails guide and is passionate about nature and always asks the important question – WHY… Ben enjoys helping out with lectures and sharing his valuable knowledge with the students.
Ben’s motto:
Never stop educating yourself and question everything.
