:: SOUTHERN AFRICAN WILDLIFE COLLEGE

The Southern African Wildlife College began as a vision of a Southern African Development Community (SADC) centre of excellence in conservation education and training. WWF-SA, with funding from the German Government (KfW), made this vision a reality and the College first opened its doors in 1997. Since then more than 2000 students from 20 countries in Africa, mostly from countries in the SADC region, have received training in natural resource management.

In co-operation with stakeholders, the College provides natural heritage managers with the motivation and relevant skills to manage their areas and associated wildlife populations sustainably in a culturally acceptable manner. All training is aimed at providing practical skills which supplement the theoretical knowledge embedded in the core of the College’s modules. In addition, the students also learn from each other through shared experience. The College also plays an important role in the provision of training for newly-created Trans Frontier Conservation Areas (TFCA's) within the SADC.

In May 2004, the College was declared a "Centre of Specialisation for Wildlife Training" under a SADC Protocol at their Technical Committee meeting held in Maputo.

The Tony & Lisette Lewis Foundation has generously contributed towards the College since its inception. Funding for bursaries has enabled 22 South African students to receive training at the College throughout the years.

Updates from former Southern African Wildlife College students:
Sam Ndlovu
Hendrick Mkhize
Mandla Masina
Richard Ndlovu

The Southern African Wildlife College website: www.wildlifecollege.org.za

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