"There's No AI": Size of Snakes Handled at Northern Cape Training Session Leaves Sa in Disbelief

• Access Professional Development ran a snake safety course for renewable energy workers near Upington in the Northern Cape
• Workers learned to identify and relocate live snakes, including Cape cobras and puff adders found on site
• The training also covered snakebite treatment and emergency response for teams working far from medical facilities

Workers at a renewable energy plant near Upington got up close with some of South Africa's most dangerous snakes. Access Professional Development ran a Snake Identification, Handling and Snakebite Treatment Course on 1 October 2026 for delegates from the renewable energy sector in the Northern Cape.

Renewable energy sites in remote regions like the Northern Cape frequently border natural habitats, meaning workers regularly cross paths with snakes around access roads, substations, storage areas and workshops. The training was designed to give those employees the knowledge and skills to respond safely when that happens.

A significant portion of the course focused on emergency response. Delegates worked through the correct steps to take immediately after a suspected bite, first aid errors to avoid and how to monitor a patient while arranging medical care, which becomes especially critical in areas far from hospitals.

Read also

Cape Town beach crowds spark debate after 35°c heatwave

Snake photos spark online debate

The training photos on Facebook may have left some viewers questioning whether the images had been edited to exaggerate the snakes' size. Access Professional Development anticipated claims, explaining that venomous snakes are held away from handlers' bodies during training, which places the animal closer to the camera and makes it appear larger. The company suggested using the diameter of the hook stick as a size reference rather than comparing the snake to the handler. They wrote:

"None of our photographs are taken with the intention of misleading anyone regarding the size of the animal."

See the original Facebook post below:

Building a safer workforce, not snake catchers

Access Professional Development was clear about the goal: to build a workforce that can recognise risk, reduce unnecessary exposure and make calmer, safer decisions. The training is not intended to turn workers into professional snake handlers. South Africans had plenty to say about the training:

Read also

When the cameras leave, who stays? The South African NPO refusing to let hope fade

OG Fuego remained in disbelief:

"Yo, this has to be AI. Ain’t no way we have these types of snakes in the Northern Cape."

Trâp Ñátúré wanted to know:

"What the hell do those snakes eat?"

Elrica Plaatjies drew a firm line:

"Never ever will I touch a snake."

Ntsikelel Mchunu reflected on his own neighbourhood:

"I'm happy I live in a gated community, only snakes that come in are rat snakes looking for rats."

Other Briefly News stories about snake behaviour

• Local snake education platform Slangboere shared startling footage showing a massive green anaconda launching defensive strikes at a bakkie driving past on a dirt road.
• Denzel Ncube from Limpopo went viral after showcasing his extensive collection of live snakes on Facebook, sparking mixed reactions across Mzansi.
• A comprehensive guide highlighted how pests, untrimmed vegetation, clutter, and exposed water sources frequently lure snakes into residential yards seeking food and shelter.

Source: Briefly News