The Nature-Based Economy (NBE) thematic area continues to strengthen its role in advancing conservation capacity building, leadership development, and strategic partnerships across Africa and beyond. This reporting period was marked by significant international engagement, new collaborations, funding milestones, and the continued delivery of specialised training programmes.
International Engagements and Leadership Development
The unit participated in several high-level external engagements and training opportunities aimed at strengthening conservation leadership and collaboration. Dr Thabang Teffo attended the Business of Conservation Conference in Nairobi (3–7 March 2026), hosted by the African Leadership University School of Wildlife Conservation (ALU-SOWC). The College contributed to a panel discussion titled “Preparing for the Future / Leading the Way: Succession Planning and Capacity Building”, which reached over 400 participants. The session provided a valuable platform to highlight the College’s approach to skills development and the importance of building sustainable leadership pipelines within the conservation sector.
Dr Teffo later attended the Leadership for Conservation in Africa (LCA) Council Meeting held in Etosha National Park, Namibia (16–22 March 2026). This engagement provided an important opportunity for continental networking and leadership development. While in Namibia, a formal meeting was also held with the Namibian Association Supporting Community-Based Natural Resource Management (CBNRM) Organisations (NACSO) in Windhoek, exploring potential collaboration through targeted training programmes aligned to the College’s two thematic areas.
New Partnership: GAWMT and SANDF Collaboration
A strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was concluded with the Guardian Angel Wildlife and Marine Trust (GAWMT), which has been appointed by the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) to provide conservation training capacity for youth as part of national efforts to address unemployment, supported by the National Skills Fund (NSF).
Through this collaboration, the Southern African Wildlife College becomes the exclusive service provider for training programmes, including Eco-Ranger, Field Ranger, and additional bespoke short courses to be confirmed at the inception meeting. This partnership strengthens the College’s role in youth skills development and conservation employability pathways.
Training Delivered (March–April 2026)
The Nature-Based Economy thematic area successfully delivered a range of specialised training interventions during the reporting period, including:
- Dangerous Game Specialist Training: Buffalo and Elephant
- Advanced Rifle Handling
- Externally facilitated engagement with the Indian Wildlife Management Group on Wildlife Management in South Africa
- Hospitality Workshop (April 2026)
- Responsible Resource Use Course facilitated for Bushwise (April 2026)
- Skinning Course for Limpopo Hunting Forum (April 2026)
- Participation in two rhino dehorning operations (April 2026)
SAWC Herding Academy
The SAWC Herding Academy continued to strengthen regional implementation and collaborative planning support. Pieter Nel contributed to the development of a Livestock Management Plan for the Makuleke herding project in collaboration with Vhembe Biosphere Reserve (VBR).
Professional herder training programmes were secured for Maremani in Zimbabwe and Limpopo National Park in Mozambique, further expanding the programme’s regional footprint and strengthening capacity-building efforts across shared conservation landscapes.
University Engagements and Operational Updates
The NBE thematic area hosted the first and second cohorts of the Good Work Foundation (GWF), guiding students on campus in March and April 2026, respectively. The India Institute of Learning also visited the College on an experiential learning programme, during which the NBE team delivered lectures on wildlife management in South Africa. In May, the NBE team hosted a group from Yuverta Working Dogs.
Kewan Bagley delivered a presentation on Dangerous Game Awareness to Friends of African Wildlife donors. In partnership with the Protected Area Integrity (PAI) unit, he also coordinated and completed two rhino dehorning operations.
Looking ahead, the unit is preparing to host the Head of Delegation from the French International Council for Game and Wildlife Conservation (CIC).