The celebrations began on 3 December with the Student Dinner – an evening of good food, laughter, and shared stories that set the tone for the days to follow. This year’s theme, Learn, Grow, Collaborate and Achieve, invited reflection, but the atmosphere was one of joy and celebration. Students took full advantage of the moment, […]
By: Pieter Nel The Scientific Mandate for Professional Herding The Southern African Wildlife College (SAWC) Herding Academy’s role in the Herding and supervised managed herds, has been validated by a four-year case study published by Mudongo et al. (2025). This paper serves as a scientific mandate for our approach, proving that strategic management offers clear […]
The Southern African Wildlife College (SAWC) has an opportunity for 10 candidates to complete an online Bushwise Nature Site Guide – Theory NQF 2 course. Following successful competition of the online course, two (2) scholarships will be awarded for the six-month Bushwise International Field Guide Course, which will take place at the SAWC. IMPORTANT DATES […]
Welcome to the latest issue of The Bateleur, where we continue to bring our new SAWC Strategy 2030 to life through the powerful stories unfolding across our campus and beyond. In this issue, we shine a light on the incredible people at the heart of our mission. From the courageous rangers who go Beyond Law Enforcement to protect Africa’s wild […]
Investigating the Effectiveness of Reed Beds in Improving Wastewater Quality Reed beds are essentially natural filtration systems, using wetland plants and soil to treat wastewater in a contained environment. At the Southern African Wildlife College (SAWC), this system is more than a compliance measure; it is a research opportunity. The reed bed is being studied […]
On 20 September 2025, the Southern African Wildlife College (SAWC) hosted its third consecutive Wildlife Ranger Challenge (WRC) Race Day as a regional hub, joining more than 170 teams from across Africa in this continent-wide celebration of rangers. Now in its sixth year of participation, the SAWC team once again represented the College with pride. […]
Written by the Makuleke Landscape Restoration Project Team This is our story – the story of the Makuleke community. Our deep love for this land, which fuelled our successful land restitution process, now guides our journey of landscape restoration. We are transforming a top-down conservation approach into a true grassroots movement, proving that our collective […]
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 […]
By Dr. Thabang Teffo Hands-On Training and Skills Development Our trainers remained deeply engaged in the field, leading practical sessions that included ballistics, bush walks, and dangerous game courses. Together with the Kingfisherspruit Section Ranger, we advanced fire safety and ecological burning initiatives, ensuring landscapes remain resilient and productive. Specialist training was also delivered for […]
Written by Sboniso Ryan Phakathi Training field rangers in human rights, safeguards, and trust building in conservation, is both a timely and complex undertaking. In regions like Southern Africa, where conservation landscapes overlap with the lived realities of Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities, rangers are required to navigate not only ecological challenges but also social, […]