SA Wildlife College
The Southern African Wildlife College (SAWC) was established in close cooperation with all interested and affected parties in Southern Africa, including national and provincial government departments, other conservation agencies, and the Southern African Development Community (SADC).
Training plays a pivotal role in terms of rehabilitating and sustaining wildlife areas.
One of the fundamental strategies of the Southern African Wildlife College is to create a new generation of managers who are equipped to deal with the key challenges facing protected area management. Closely linked with the training of protected area managers is the role that nature-based tourism is set to play in socio-economic development of Southern Africa; and in turn bringing larger areas under protected area management.
The College is poised to assist with the training of managers required for broader Trans-Frontier Conservation Areas, which will further open and link Africa’s existing protected area network. It is imperative that managers of these areas are adequately trained for the task of custodianship of Africa’s dwindling, yet ever-important wildlife populations and other natural resources, and that a high priority is placed on doing so in co-operation with local communities. In recognition of the important role that local communities will play in the sustainable management of natural resources, the College is actively involved in capacity building at the community level.
The College also aims to provide courses that will open career opportunities for existing personnel who do not have formal qualifications to become protected area natural resource managers. Thus, the necessary bridging skills will be provided so that these managers may return to their places of work equipped with the means to manage their areas efficiently and effectively, and playing a pivotal role in ensuring that the use of our renewable natural resources for the benefit of all is sustainable.
The most effective training combines action with reflection. The SAWC’s training perspective encourages mentors and students alike to embrace different ways of learning. The courses offered are characterised by a hands-on, practical and highly participatory approach, which is complemented by group discussions and lecture sessions. Training interventions generally evolve around the diverse practical field experiences of both trainers and students. This allows students to apply knowledge to their workplace, thereby not only benefiting themselves but also their individual organisations and their local communities.
Together, the Kruger to Canyons Biosphere Reserve, the SAWC and suitably trained natural resource managers can ensure that the resources are managed as regional ecosystems that transcend land-use boundaries. It will also ensure that nature-based tourism can be implemented to ensure the future sustainability of the region's natural resources.