A group of girls spent the day at Johannesburg Zoo as part of the Take a Girl Child to Work day. Some were inspired to change their career plans.

Female learners listen attentively to a presentation by Louise Matschke, the tour guide for the day

AFTER feeding a tiger at the Johannesburg Zoo a Grade 10 girl from Soweto decided to drop the idea of law and study nature conservation instead. Gloria Ngwenya was at the zoo as part of Cell C's Take a Girl Child to Work day.

"I love Take a Girl Child to Work day, because I've only been a zookeeper for few hours and I have already fed a tiger. Imagine me spending the rest of my life feeding tigers; that would be so like cool," Ngwenya said, bubbling with excitement that she actually got to feed a tiger.

Before lunch, the girls from Emadwaleni High School met Agnes Maluleke, the zoo's carnivore keeper, who explained to them what subjects they need to take at school if they want to become zookeepers.

Maluleke also told them how she developed her love for animals. "I grew up with my granny who was an engineer by profession but had a real love for plants and animals, so I guess that is where my love for nature comes from."

After a long tour of the zoo, the girls returned to the Education Centre for lunch, which was followed by a talk by Peter Madike, the human resource officer at the zoo. He spoke about the necessary qualifications to become a human resources officer.

Learners got to feed tigers at the Joburg zoo

"I know that not all of you are keen on becoming zookeepers and you do not have to feel bad about that; different things interest different people, so for those who want to study human resources, all I can say is go for it," Madike said.

And then the girls were divided into groups of two; each pair went with a zookeeper to help in different sections of the park, including the kitchen, farmyard, hospital and the Amazonian section.

Each group spent two hours at the section helping with feeding, preparing food for the animals and taking care of the sick animals at the hospital.

But some of them just wanted to see snakes. "When we go see snakes, I want to hold one of them. That will prove to you that I am not afraid of anything," said Nthabiseng Jele, another Grade 10 learner.

But Nelly Tseladimitloa, the tourism and geography teacher, wanted to hear nothing about seeing snakes. "I do not want to see those things, because if I see or even think about snakes I am going to have nightmares about them," she said.

The zoo took part in Cell C's Take a Girl Child to Work day because it wanted young girls, especially those from township schools, to be open-minded about career possibilities.

Cell C's Take a Girl Child to Work day, an annual event, was held on Thursday, 29 May. Various companies take part in the initiative.

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