INSTITUTIONAL NEWS Another Successful #Running Wild! Another #Running Wild has crossed the finish line and, once again, the Southern African Wildlife College (SAWC) community showed just how much can be achieved when people come together for conservation.The College’s annual fundraiser in support of the Protected Area Integrity: Beyond Law Enforcement thematic area brought runners, supporters,...Read More
Learning together to restore landscapes Restoring degraded landscapes is not simply an ecological challenge. It also involves the people who live and work in those landscapes, the livelihoods that depend on them, and the institutions and relationships that influence how natural resources are managed. This is the focus of Commonland, a not-for-profit organisation working with partners in around 20 countries...Read More
Conservation leaders across Africa work in increasingly complex environments, making decisions under pressure, leading diverse teams and working with communities, governments, partners and funders. While technical expertise is essential, effective conservation also requires strong leadership. The Southern African Wildlife College (SAWC) is responding to this need with a new Conservation Leadership Learning Programme (CLLP), planned for delivery in 2027. The institutionally accredited,...Read More
By Dr. Thabang Teffo Creating lasting conservation impact requires finding ways for people and nature to thrive together. For the Southern African Wildlife College’s (SAWC’s) Nature-based Economy thematic area, this means strengthening the knowledge, skills, partnerships and practical opportunities that enable communities and conservation landscapes to benefit from sustainable nature-based economies. Over recent months, this work has progressed across several fronts, from regional strategy...Read More
By Sboniso Ryan Phakathi For conservation to work over the long term, communities need more than a place at the table. They need access to knowledge and practical tools, meaningful opportunities to shape decisions, and partnerships that recognise their experience of living within shared landscapes. This thinking underpins the work of the Southern African Wildlife College’s (SAWC) Community-led Conservation Practice...Read More
By Scott Yammin, Precious Malapane and Bruce McDonald Protecting Africa’s protected areas requires people with the skills, discipline and preparedness to respond to complex conservation challenges. Across the region, continued investment in ranger development is helping build that capacity — from foundational training to refresher courses that keep experienced rangers operationally ready. Recent activities across Southern Africa demonstrate the breadth...Read More
Conservation challenges rarely stop at national borders. Across Africa, protecting wildlife and natural resources requires practitioners to understand different ecosystems, communities and approaches to conservation, while sharing knowledge and experience across regions. Strong partnerships between African conservation institutions can help build this capacity by connecting people, expertise and opportunities for practical learning. The partnership between the Southern African Wildlife College...Read More
By Jeenah Ngwenya and Faith Ngwenya – SAWC InternsFrom reliable records and strong systems to responsible document disposal, quality is built through the everyday actions that keep an institution moving forward. Quality management and accreditation may often happen behind the scenes, but they are an important part of ensuring that the SAWC operates effectively and...Read More
Occupational Qualifications: Investing in People, Protecting Nature By Christopher KafotekaThe College’s Occupational Qualifications programmes continue to create opportunities for people to build practical skills and contribute to conservation across Southern Africa. A significant milestone was reached as the 2026 Natural Resource Management, Terrestrial NQF Level 5 cohort completed its contact learning phase after eight months of...Read More
By Kudakwashe MusengiFor conservation professionals, some of the most valuable lessons cannot be learnt in a classroom alone. They are found in the landscapes where conservation decisions are made, through conversations with experienced practitioners and by observing first-hand the complex challenges facing protected areas.As part of the Advanced Certificate in Transfrontier Conservation Management – National Qualifications...Read More
