All Photos © Bushveld Connections
Bushveld Connections operates on the organisational skills and abilities of Debby Thomson ...
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Event Management
P O Box 1180
HOEDSPRUIT
1380
Tel: 015 795 5970
Cell: 082 940 0651
Email: info”at”bushveldconnections.co.za za
Project Management
About Debby
Debby comes from a conservation background, having studied for and obtained a National Diploma in Nature Conservation while working in the Klaserie Private Nature in the early 90’s. Her experience in the environmental field includes the management of a remote walking trails camp in the Manyaleti, management of various lodges in the Timbavati and Klaserie, community development and environmental research.
In addition to her years in tourism and lodge management, Debby has also had extensive experience and background in community development. Debby has been an integral role player in the initiation and development of the UNESCO registered Kruger to Canyons Biosphere. Starting off as a member of the Central Lowveld Development Forum, which then merged to become the Kruger to Canyons (K2C) Biosphere Initiative Steering Committee in 1996. Through her years of continued involvement in the development of the K2C Biosphere region, Debby has gained extensive experience in the processes of community development, public participation, project management and operation, drawing up of reports, funding applications, concept notes, business plans etc.
Further to her initial education and knowledge within the conservation arena, her involvement in the K2C initiative has also further assisted in establishing a vast background knowledge to the many principles and concepts involved in the concepts of Sustainable Development and Sustainable Living. As a result of this, Debby has also initiated and manages the hosting of an annual event in Hoedspruit known previously as the Sustainable Living Festival. In 2011, Pick n Pay the leading “responsible retailer” in SA, approached Debby with the proposal of partnering with the event and obtaining principal sponsorship and branding rights as the festival aligns perfectly to the ethics and principles set out by Pick n Pay as a National Company. As a result, the festival is now known as the Pick n Pay Sustainable Living Festival and is set to grow from strength and become a major event on the national calendar. Debby still runs the principle management and coordination role of the festival , where her extensive experience of community involvement as well as her organisational skills are of great value to the event.
Bushveld Connections has been developed as an outlet to offer the developmental and organisational skills that Debby has been able to develop and gain over the years and to assist other organisations and businesses that are in need of “on the ground” local knowledge and organisational skills. Although the primary focus of Bushveld Connections is the facilitation of Film productions (Fixing) - specialising in wildlife and travel documentaries, her knowledge of the many research and community activities as well as the extensive network she has been able to develop over the years, greatly adds value to production companies specifically when look for story lines and ideas or contacts and location options.
Debby’s personal “feather in her cap” is having worked on both of the last David Attenborough series - Life in the Undergrowth and Life in Cold Blood. In addition to having worked with David she has also had the pleasure of working with other great presenters such as Steve Backshall (in both the Really Wild Show and in all three series of Deadly 60); Simon Reeve (in his Indian Ocean series - to be aired in 2012) and with Prof Iain Stewart in the landmark series Green Planet.
Debby’s background and involvement in Biosphere activities on a national scale also assist greatly in the sourcing of suitable and a wide variety of locations as well as specialised filming requirements such as animals and wranglers or extreme sports and adventure activities. Additionally, her intimate knowledge of the tourism industry is also of extreme benefit when getting down to the travelling details for a film crew.
Film shoot facilitation (Fixing) will continue to be the primary focus of Bushveld Connections, with the additional services offered filling in the gaps in between film shoots when they occur.
