Thabo Dlangamandla

Experience

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  Masonite Africa Ltd

  Jan 2015 - Jul 2015

  Trainee - Forester

  • Administration work: Data capturing, typing, filling, updating files for fire plan and attending planning and management meetings.• Silviculture Operations: This involved; site preparations, pitting through manual and mechanical means, dry planting and chemical planting, marking for pitting, blanking, brushing, weed control through manual, chemical and mechanical methods, coppice reduction, and also to ensure the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources through control and clearing of invasive species and also optimize equitable economical use of plantations and natural forests in the Estates as per Forestry Best Operating Procedures through application of norms and standards. • Fire protection: This involves compiling fire management plans and submitting them for approval. Preparation of fire-belts and firebreaks, looking at fire-fighting equipment and personnel, standby duties and conducting internal fire audits to enhance and inspect fire readiness with the implementation of National Veld and Forest Fire Act (NVFFA) and National Forest Act (NFA). Raising forestry profile with regards to NFA & NVFFA to the local tribal authority. Conducting fire educational awareness campaigns with Working on Fire teams, Mondi, Sappi, Hans Marensky and other private sectors. Involved in environmental management activities such as road maintenance and block burning, rehabilitation of the areas in order to return it to its original state]. Participating in the fire awareness campaigns with other stakeholders and adjacent communities and attend Fire Protection Association (FPA) meetings with landowners.• Internal auditing: I was involved in fire auditing which includes; equipment checks, fire reports check and compilation and field (firebreaks) check • Planning operations: Involve in stock enumerations, marking for thinning and volume determination before felling. Show less

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  South African Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF)

  Feb 2016 - Jan 2017

  Intern-Forester

  • Administration work: Assisting in compiling estate monthly and weekly reports and weekly planning for forest operations, filing, data capturing, photocopying, up-date files, record keeping, completing employee leave forms and managing employees leave register, up-dates of employees work plan, taking minutes during meetings and writing report to the attendees, involved in plantation weekly and monthly inspection, verification of daily production sheet, assisting in checking books of accounts, Provisioning (control of assets), local transport officer and services, other personal matters, assisting in filling SCM1 for request for quotation for goods, SCM6 for procurement requisition for goods and services (consumables) and also assist in receiving people coming to buy timber or firewood in the plantation, banking after sales of forests products and Non-Timber forests products• Silviculture Operations: Involves site preparation, marking and pitting, weed control, planting, blanking, field irrigation and land clearing.• Harvesting Operation: Harvesting plan, felling, debarking, cross-cutting, and pole extraction. Fire protection: Fire belts preparation, burning of fire freaks and fire fighting. Environmental management: Maintenance of water quality, road maintenance, pollution, managing of indigenous patches, woodlands, natural forests and special management zones or areas of special interest. Principles, Criteria, Indicators and Standards PCI&S: Assist in conducting internal PCI&S audits, update files, and filing documents in the respective files, auditing the plantation entirely including, standard of workers village and accomodation, vehicles, roads, maintenace of ingigenous forests, harveting sites, interviewing of employees on work related issues. Assist in the planning, organizing and implementing awareness campaigns for the National Forests Act and National Veld and Forest Fire Act,1998. Attend Fire Protection Association (FPA) meetings with landowners. Show less

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  Equispective Research and Consultation Services

  Aug 2020 - Aug 2020

  Research Assistant - Social Impact Assessment (SIA)

  Conducted social surveys as part of the social impact assessment (SIA) for Mbuyelo Mine Coal in Middleburg, Mpumalanga (August 2020). Associated role: Community/Stakeholder engagementCommunity needs analysisReport writing Data capturingData collection

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  Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE)

  Jan 2021 - Sept 2021

  Volunteer Staff (Forestry Regulation and Support)

  • Administration of the National Forests Act: provide support during the review of forestry tariffs in principle, ensure that all queries are addressed and/or re-directed to supervisors timeously, provided support for revision of forestry tariffs for 2021/2, receive quotations and submit them to the supervisors and ensure that a list of protected trees is published on time. • Compliance and Enforcement of the NFA: update record and database of compliance and enforcement, update record and database of administrative actions undertaken and provide support during joint operations.• Capacity Building and Advisory service (Customer Focus): properly plan sessions and/or training, ensure that certificates (NFA and NVFFA) of participants are prepared, signed by DFRO and distributed and provide support during NFA (foundation course) training sessions.• Environmental Impact Assessment and Management: provide support during Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) reports and review, keep record of reviewed EIA reports and compile and submit Back to Office Report to supervisors for all conducted site meetings.• General Admin: compile monthly and quarterly reports, submit inputs and comment of reviewed legislation and other documents to the supervisors, distribute materials timeously, provide support for performance agreements, staff assessments, APP of Sub-directorate submitted, provide support for personal development plan implemented, taking and typing minutes, provide support in compiling and submitting claims for approval, provide support in making logistical arrangements for officials and provide support in procurement of goods such as processing S&T and petty cash claims. Show less

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  Forest Sector Charter Council (FSCC)

  Oct 2021 - now

  Research Assistant

  1. Status Report• Collection of all verified B-BBEE certificates, compliance reports and affidavits • Check and verify certificate validity• Draft report for the Executive Director (ED) comments2. Outreach Programme >Community • Assist in organising meetings with relevant institutions and companies• Assist and comment on prepared field reports• Assist in drafting final reports for presentation for Council adoption• Assist in preparing thematic matters to be deliberated>Forestry Professionals• Assist in facilitation of a workshop with Forestry professionals• Assist in liaising with guest speakers and comment in thematic presentation• Assist in drafting final report for Council adoption3. Webinar to celebrate Women in Forestry• Assist in drafting a magazine for ‘She is Forestry” initiative4. Knowledge and Sharing & CEO visits (Communications & dissemination of FSCC information) • Attend workshops/ virtual meetings to educate Stakeholders on Amended Code, new amendments and other related matters• Assist in preparing thematic presentations about FSCC and FSC• Assist in publishing B-BBEE matters in forestry in related magazines>Queries on Amended FSC• Assist in responding to queries on Amended Forest Sector Code• Assist in preparing articles on B-BBBE in Forestry for newsletters etc >PR Run• Assist in arranging & partake in media (tv, magazine) interviews • Prepare weekly Social media posts6. Research• Assist in identifying subjects to be researched • Prepare a research paper on the chosen topic• Draft report for ED comments7. Annual reports • Assist in preparing content for Annual reports• Comment on final draft • Appoint Service provider to modify report• Post annual report on social media accounts8. Fully Functional Council• Participate in Council task teams• Provide secretariat support to Council and Committees• Implement recommendations from Council or related Committee meetings Show less