‘sThe first quarter of 2025 has been a period of significant progress for the Southern African Wildlife College’s (SAWC) Responsible Resource Management (RRM) department.
- In January, the senior trainer, Pieter Nel, led a game drive, delivered a lecture on Dangerous Game Awareness, and presented on community-led conservation practices and the nature-based economy to a delegation from the Department of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment (DFFE).
- RRM hosted a delegation from the Great Lakes Leadership Academy, a leadership development programme associated with our long-term partner, Michigan State University (MSU).
- In February, the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Wildlife Economy project proposal was submitted to the contracting department of Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ). Contract preparations are currently underway, and the project is expected to commence in April 2025.
- The SAWC CEO and Head of the Responsible Resource Management department, Dr Thabang Teffo, continue actively participating in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) South Africa National Committee meetings, focusing on Biodiversity Economy initiatives.
- The Responsible Resource Management’s Reserve Representative Course was successfully delivered to Associated Private Nature Reserves (APNR) staff.
New Team Member
We are pleased to welcome Mr. Kewan Bagley to the team. He will be responsible for coordinating specialised educational programmes and field guide training within the Responsible Resource Management department. To ensure a smooth transition, Scott Yammin continues to mentor Kewan in his new role.
The SAWC Herding Academy
The SAWC Herding Academy has made significant strides in strengthening its partnerships and expanding its impact.
Following several meetings with the Collaborating Centre for Integrated Livestock and Wildlife Health at the University of Pretoria, the academy was invited to affiliate with the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH). This partnership will enhance collaborative efforts in Herding for Health projects and long-term research initiatives.
In January, the Head of the Responsible Resource Management department, Dr Thabang Teffo, and Senior Trainer, Mr Pieter Nel, participated and presented at the Herding for Health Indaba in Hoedspruit.
The development of the SAWC Herding Academy website is underway, with close collaboration between the Responsible Resource Management team and the Marketing, Fundraising and Media Relations department to ensure a strong digital presence.
Departmental Visits (Donors and Clients)
The department had the pleasure of hosting several universities and groups at the College during the first quarter of 2025, including:
- Michigan State University (MSU) / Great Lakes Leadership Academy
- University of Pretoria
- Marshall University
These engagements continue to strengthen our relationships with academic institutions and reinforce the SAWC’s role as a centre of excellence in conservation training.
Professional Development
Building leadership capacity remains a priority for the SAWC. From 2 to 6 March, Dr. Thabang Teffo, Head of the Responsible Resource Management department, and the Rural Initiatives for a Sustainable Environment (RISE) team, attended a Transformative Leadership Course in Kampala, Uganda. This programme played a crucial role in enhancing Dr. Teffo’s capacity as the SAWC’s Employment Equity Manager, equipping him with new insights and skills for driving positive change.
The SAWC extends its sincere appreciation to John Louden from the COmON Foundation and to Peace Parks Foundation for their unwavering commitment to capacity building and professional development. Their generous financial support enabled Dr Teffo to participate in this transformative experience, facilitated by the Ubuntu Lab Institute in Kampala.