By Sboniso Ryan Phakathi The Global Environment Facility (GEF) 6 Governance Guidelines development workshop recently kicked off to a vibrant and lively start. Facilitated by Conservation Synergies and supported by project partners, the workshop forms a critical milestone within the broader GEF-6 Partnership Programme in the Greater Kruger Landscape. The programme, part of the Global Environment Facility’s sixth funding cycle, focuses...Read More
Written by Sboniso Ryan Phakathi Between September and December 2025, the Community-Led Conservation Practices thematic area continued to strengthen the connection between conservation outcomes and community wellbeing. Through reflective learning programmes, youth development initiatives, and livelihood-linked conservation projects, the Southern African Wildlife College reinforced its commitment to inclusive, ethical, and people-centred conservation across the Greater Kruger...Read More
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, cultural,...Read More
The Southern African Wildlife College’s (SAWC) champions participatory models that bridge ecological objectives with social needs. This includes enhancing environmental literacy, supporting nature-positive livelihoods, and building trust between conservation agencies and communities. Key to this work is the Rural Initiative for a Sustainable Environment (RISE) Unit, which facilitates dialogue, skills development, and long-term partnerships. Moving...Read More
