The TLC programme, an initiative of Leadership for Conservation in Africa (LCA), is supported by the Howard G. Buffett Foundation and implemented with partners including the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), Ugandan Wildlife Authority (UWA), Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), and Friends of Education Africa (FEA). This first-of-its-kind initiative aims to develop a continent-wide network of emerging leaders who are equipped to drive adaptive, inclusive, and purpose-driven conservation across Africa.
The year-long programme blends online workshops, in-person learning exchanges, and mentorship sessions. Participants explore complex conservation challenges – from human-wildlife conflict to benefit-sharing in protected areas – and are supported in designing and presenting their own impact projects. The recent in-person session took place in Mozambique, including time in Maputo National Park, where participants engaged directly with practitioners and communities on the ground.
For the Southern African Wildlife College (SAWC), Dr Thabang Teffo’s selection is more than a personal achievement – it is an opportunity to deepen the College’s contribution to African conservation leadership. The lessons and networks forged through the Transformative Leadership for Conservation (TLC) programme will flow back into the College’s work, strengthening its efforts to train conservation professionals and co-create solutions with communities across Southern Africa.
This milestone also highlights the growing importance of nature-based economies and community-led conservation in shaping Africa’s protected areas. The SAWC remains committed to developing approaches that enable people and wildlife to thrive together – from regenerative grazing initiatives to skills development programmes for youth and women. Participation in TLC ensures that these efforts are aligned with the latest thinking and best practices from across the continent.
As the College looks ahead, this moment affirms its belief that leadership development is a cornerstone of long-term conservation success. By contributing to a network of future leaders, the SAWC continues to help shape a generation ready to tackle Africa’s most pressing conservation challenges with creativity, collaboration, and courage.
