Student Dinner – 27 November 2024
The celebrations kicked off with the Student Dinner, an evening filled with good food, great company, and enough jokes to make anyone snort into their dessert. This year’s theme, Education is the match. Each one of you can be the fire, set a reflective tone for the evening. The theme highlighted the transformative power of education in sparking change and empowering students to make a lasting impact in conservation.
The evening saw students showing their comic talent during the light-hearted Comedy Corner segment. Who knew conservation students could moonlight as stand-up comedians? From punchlines about late-night assignments to inside jokes only classmates could decipher, the dinner was a celebration of shared struggles, triumphs, camaraderie and a much-needed sense of humour.
The student’s journey emphasised the vital connection between education and action and in acknowledging this, each student lit a candle to signify their commitment to returning to their workplaces and communities where they will make a difference by igniting required change.
Graduation Day – 28 November 2024
The following day, the graduation ceremony started in traditional style with riot of colour. A dynamic dance group adorned in traditional attire (think bright reds, oranges, beads, and flair) led the academic procession also as vibrant with the academic staff and members of the SAWC Board dressed in full regalia followed by the graduands. This set the stage for the formal graduation ceremony filled with heartfelt speeches followed by the capping of the students and awarding of certificates.
The theme resonated throughout the event. Our SAWC CEO and Vice Chancellor, Mrs Theresa Sowry, opened the ceremony with an update on the year that has been: 1,667 people trained across 20 countries, 25% of them women. She expressed gratitude to the SAWC Board of Directors, the donor community, our conservation partners, family, friends, and community committees and members for their unwavering support.
The keynote address by Ms. Siphokazi Bokwe, Head of Human Capital Development at South African National Parks, was both inspiring and thought-provoking. She reminded the students that each has a unique flame, urging them to use to ignite something transformative. Her parting words were- What will you change in your workplace? If the students’ expressions were anything to go by, their flames were already flickering with ideas.
Then came the show-stealer, Student Council President Mr. Muzi Machabe. His speech left the crowd in stitches and a few tissues short. “Education is the match that ignites within us a burning desire for further knowledge, growth, and transformation,” he declared. He then turned his attention to the lecturers, playfully unveiling their nicknames. Judging by the audience’s reaction, it’s safe to say those names will stick – much to the lecturers’ amusement.
After the speeches and a healthy dose of laughter, it was time for the students to graduate followed by the handing out of awards and scholarships. As each student was capped and received their certificates, we were reminded just how much this meant to each one of them and their families that attended, some as far as from Namibia.
The Natural Resource Management: Terrestrial (NQF Level 5) and Advanced Certificate in Nature Conservation: Transfrontier Conservation Management (NQF Level 6) students beamed as they received recognition for their hard work, and everyone cheered genuinely proud of their achievements.
NQF6 - Award Winners
Best Financial Management Student
Welkom Hlakuvana Masukume, Wamafari Enclave, Zimbabwe (Sponsored by Friends of African Wildlife)
Best TFCA Student
Twambi Chimimba, Mwabvi Game Reserve, Department of National Parks & Wildlife, Malawi (Sponsored by Southern African Wildlife College Trust)
Most Improved Student
Charmaine Aukhumes, Etosha National Park, Namibia
Best Biodiversity Management Student
Mike Arthur Polela, African Parks, Liwonde, National Park, Malawi (Sponsored by Southern African Wildlife College Trust)
Best South African Student (WWF)
Muzi Machabe, Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency, Manyeleti Nature Reserve, South Africa (Sponsored by Southern African Wildlife College Trust)
Best Student Overall
Mike Polela, African Parks Liwonde National Park, Malawi (Sponsored by Southern African Wildlife College Trust)
NQF5 - Award Winners
Most Committed Student – Hans Hoheisen Award
Helder Da Anabela Francisco Machoco, ANAC, Zinave National Park, Mozambique (Sponsored by Friends of African Wildlife)
Best Protected Area Management Student – Anton Mzimba Award
Alfred George Short, FUB Fraaiuitzicht Conservancy, South Africa (Private Student)
Best Student Overall
Nyiko Lancelot Sambo, SANParks, Mapungubwe National Park, South Africa (Sponsored by Foundation Segré)
Best Practical Student
Denovan Zanden Brown, South African National Parks, Tsitsikamma National Park, South Africa (Sponsored by Foundation Segré)
Best South African Student (WWF)
Nyiko Lancelot Sambo, SANParks, Mapungubwe National Park, South Africa (Sponsored by Foundation Segré)
Southern African Wildlife College Trust scholarship winners
The following NQF 5 students received a Southern African Wildlife College Trust scholarship to complete the NQF 6 programme next year:
Denovan Zanden Brown, South African National Parks, Tsitsikamma National Park, South Africa.
Mulenga James Chasaya, Department of National Parks & Wildlife Zambia, South Luangwa National Park.
Nyiko Lancelot Sambo, South African National Parks, Mapungubwe National Park, South Africa.
As the dance group led everyone out, there was a palpable sense of joy and relief (mainly for the students, who will no longer have to hear the words ”Be on top of your game” on repeat). This wasn’t just a ceremony; it was a celebration of grit, hard work, team spirit, fun times and hard times as well as a shared commitment to conserving our planet.
We want to extend heartfelt thanks to our donors who supported the two programmes. These are Friends of African Wildlife, KfW Stiftung, Fondation Segré, Chamberlain Foundation, Investec, Ball Family Foundation, and Southern African Wildlife College Trust. We would also like to thank the organisations that graciously sent their students to the SAWC for their studies. This year’s organisations are South African National Parks, Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency, Limpopo Economic Development, Environment and Tourism, and African Parks, !Khwa ttu, Departments of National Parks and Wildlife Zambia, Maputo National Park, Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism – Namibia, FUB Fraaiuitzicht Conservancy, North Luangwa National Park, and Wamafari Enclave.
Congratulations to the Classes of 2024. May your flames burn brightly – and may your workplaces be ready for the spark you’re about to bring!