The South African National Parks (SANParks) is inviting suitably qualified candidates to apply for 2 Cook/Cleaner (Fixed Term Contract) positions at Thutong Environmental Centre in Marakele National Park. This is an excellent opportunity for individuals with experience in cooking and cleaning who are passionate about working in a nature conservation environment.
The successful candidates will support the daily operations of the Thutong Environmental Centre by preparing meals, maintaining high cleaning standards, and ensuring that the facilities remain safe, hygienic, and welcoming for visitors. These positions are offered on a fixed-term contract running from 21 July 2026 to 30 September 2026.
If there is experience in preparing meals for large groups, maintaining accommodation facilities, and working with children in an educational environment, this opportunity may be suitable. Read the full details below and submit an application before the closing date.
Position Details
- Position: Cook/Cleaner (2 Posts)
- Contract Type: Fixed Term Contract
- Contract Duration: 21 July 2026 to 30 September 2026
- Location: Marakele National Park, Thutong Environmental Centre
- Reporting To: Interpretative Officer
- Closing Date: 17 July 2026
About the Role
Thutong Environmental Centre hosts the Walk and Learn on the Wild Side (WALOW) programme, which brings groups of learners into the park for hands-on environmental education. Feeding and housing these groups requires staff who can manage catering at scale, keep shared facilities spotless, and maintain a welcoming, hygienic environment for children and educators alike.
This is physical, hands-on work suited to candidates who are comfortable cooking for large numbers of people, confident managing a kitchen under time pressure, and diligent about cleanliness in shared accommodation spaces. Because the centre works closely with children, a calm, approachable manner and strong communication skills are just as important as technical cooking or cleaning ability.
Location
Marakele National Park, near Thabazimbi in Limpopo province. More information on the park itself is available on the official Marakele National Park page.
Requirements
Candidates applying for this position should meet the following minimum criteria:
- A Grade 12 certificate (matric).
- Relevant, demonstrable experience cooking for large groups, ideally in a catering, hospitality, or institutional setting.
- Practical experience cleaning large accommodation facilities, particularly those housing 60 or more people at a time.
- A basic working knowledge of occupational health and safety practices, especially as they apply to food preparation and hygiene.
- Solid communication skills, along with the ability to manage time effectively across multiple daily tasks.
- A people-oriented disposition, with the ability to work comfortably and appropriately with children in a learning environment.
Candidates who have previously worked in school camps, lodges, or other group-catering environments may find their experience particularly relevant to this role.
Key Responsibilities
The two successful candidates will share responsibility for the following duties throughout the contract period:
Food Preparation
Meals must be prepared for all WALOW programme participants, in line with the scheduled programme, approved menu, and any dietary or hygiene prescripts set out by the centre. Timing matters here: meals need to be ready and served according to the programme schedule so that learning activities are not disrupted.
Kitchen and Pantry Management
The kitchen and pantry areas, along with all associated equipment, must be kept clean, organised, and ready for use at all times. This includes routine cleaning after meal service as well as general upkeep between sessions.
Stock Control
Cooks/Cleaners will assist with monitoring and managing stock levels, covering food supplies, cleaning materials, and other consumables used around the centre. Keeping accurate track of what is on hand helps avoid last-minute shortages during busy programme weeks.
Facility Cleaning
Beyond the kitchen, cleaning duties extend across the entire Thutong Environmental Learning Centre. This includes the dining area, assembly hall, passages, ablution facilities, and open outdoor areas surrounding the centre. Given that groups of 60 or more may be staying on site at any given time, maintaining consistent cleanliness standards across all these spaces is a core part of the role.
Health and Safety Compliance
All work must be carried out in line with applicable health and safety requirements, including hygiene standards relevant to food handling and shared accommodation. This is particularly important given that the centre regularly hosts children and school groups.
General Support
Cooks/Cleaners may also be asked to assist with ad hoc duties around the centre as operational needs arise during the contract period.
Why This Role Matters
Environmental education programmes like WALOW depend heavily on smooth day-to-day logistics. Learners visiting Marakele National Park are often experiencing a national park environment for the first time, and a well-run centre, with good food and clean, comfortable facilities, plays a real part in making that experience positive and memorable. The Cook/Cleaner role sits at the practical heart of that operation, even though it happens mostly behind the scenes.
Important Notice
Marakele National Park is an equal opportunity employer and reserves the right not to make an appointment, even if suitable candidates apply. Applicants should keep this in mind when submitting applications and should not assume automatic placement based on meeting the minimum requirements alone.
How to Apply
Candidates who meet the requirements listed above should submit a cover letter together with a detailed CV. Applications can be sent using any of the methods below.
Email: [email protected]
Post:
Marakele National Park
Attention: Colisile Nkosi
P O Box 800
Thabazimbi
0380
Hand Deliver:
Applications may also be dropped off in person at Alma Road, Marakele Main Reception, Human Resource Office.
Only applications that include both a cover letter and a full CV will be considered complete. Candidates are encouraged to ensure their contact details are current and clearly listed, as this will be the primary means of follow-up should an interview be scheduled.
Closing Date: 17 July 2026
Given the short window between the closing date and the contract start date of 21 July 2026, candidates are strongly encouraged to submit applications as early as possible rather than waiting until the deadline. Late applications are unlikely to be considered, since shortlisting and interview scheduling will need to happen quickly to meet the contract start date.
A Few Tips for Applicants
Cover letters for this type of role should speak directly to practical experience rather than general career history. Mentioning specific examples, such as cooking for groups of a certain size, managing a kitchen independently, or cleaning large shared facilities, will help application reviewers quickly match candidates to the role’s requirements.
It is also worth noting any prior experience working around children or in educational settings, even informally, since this role involves regular interaction with school groups attending the WALOW programme. Candidates who can show reliability, punctuality, and a calm temperament under pressure are likely to stand out, given how central time management and food service scheduling are to this position.
Finally, applicants without direct large-scale catering experience but with strong general cooking and cleaning backgrounds should not be discouraged from applying, provided the core requirements around hygiene, communication, and working with children are met.
