Qualifications: BSc in Biological Science, Honours in Botany and finalising Masters in Demography and Population Studies at the University of KwaZulu-Natal.
Q: What inspired you to make this career choice?
A: The love for flora and fauna inspired me to do my first BSc. degree in Biology and a keen interest in plant diversity led me to do my Honours in Botany. This was also inspired by my undergraduate lecturer, Mrs Elize Cloete, who pushed me in the right direction when she realised my love for indigenous plants. Her never-ending talks about the beauty of nature and plants only grew this interest. The idea of social science and life science being stand-alone fields worried me a lot and it was then that I decided to link the two in one research project, to prove that no one field is independent of the other. This is how I ended up looking at the demographic transition of human population and its impact on biodiversity for my Masters. This study was motivated by the rapid growth of human populations – especially in the cities and the impact thereof to habitat; biodiversity, as well as climate change.
Q: Give a brief description of what your job entails
A: My current job includes working with plant collections and data management. I am responsible for the integration of more than 33 000 Killick Herbarium specimens and about 25 000 Ward Herbarium specimens into the UKZN’s Bews Herbarium collection. I make certain that all these specimens are correctly identified; correctly filed and are in good quality before being incorporated into the Bews Herbarium.
My 12 years of experience working with plant collection as well as database management play a vital role in the management of the collection in the Bews Herbarium and in NSCF collections management, as I make sure that the data and collections integrated into the Bews collection are of high standard and are accurate.
Q: What is the most exciting aspect of your job?
A: The most interesting part of my job is the identification of different plant species and working with the plant collection database.
Q: What advice would you give to young people considering a career within Scientific Collections Management?
A: My advice to young people who consider Scientific Collections Management: before you consider this career make sure that you value our natural resources and have the love and passion for it. Have an eagerness to continuously learn because every day we learn new and interesting things in this field.
Q: What does Leadership mean to you?
A: Leadership to me means listening with understanding and believing in your subordinate, it means having a social influence, which maximizes the efforts of others toward the achievement of a greater goal.