Marhostile Doyile is one of a team of people who work tirelessly to ensure that the facilities and public areas in the Goukamma Nature Reserve on the Garden Route is beautifully maintained.

Having endured long periods of unemployment before joining CapeNature as an EPWP participant, Marhostile is thankful for his job, and enjoys his position as a machine operator. “I love operating and handling machines. I also help the general workers,” he says.

Doyile has received on-the-job training to equip him with the necessary skills to do his job and attend workshops on health and safety.

He explains that he used to be afraid of the sea, but has had swimming lessons courtesy of CapeNature, so is no longer nervous of the sea or rivers. Part of his job is cleaning the ferry that crosses the river. “I was also afraid of snakes, but now I am not,” he adds.

Doyle is using the maintenance skills he has picked up at work at home, and also passes on his knowledge about alien vegetation to family and friends.

“I’m 52 years old now and I’m happy here. There is something different every day and lots of opportunities. Working is important to me .... I have my wife, house, four children and two grandchildren. I would like this to be my stop until I retire.”