Online Reporter
Conrad Mupesa
Mashonaland West Bureau
SOME 165 rangers graduated yesterday at Chinhoyi Caves Recreational Park after completing a three-month Basic Ranger Training Course, with Wildlife Ambassador and First Lady Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa rallying the private sector to partner Government in strengthening wildlife conservation.
The graduation ceremony which was attended by senior government officials, traditional leaders, staff from conservation players and parents of graduating students, coincided with this year’s World Ranger Day commemorations, held under the theme, “Rangers: Guardians of a Changing Planet.”
In a speech read on her behalf by Environment, Wildlife and Climate Minister Evelyn Ndlovu, the First Lady said the graduation came at a defining moment in Zimbabwe’s national development agenda, where biodiversity conservation was recognised as a key pillar of economic transformation under Vision 2030.
“Under the visionary leadership of His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, Dr Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa, our country continues to implement the National Development Strategy 2 as we journey towards the attainment of Vision 2030.
“Central to this vision is the recognition that biodiversity is not simply an environmental asset but an important driver of economic transformation. Our wildlife supports tourism, creates employment, generates foreign currency, strengthens rural livelihoods and contributes significantly to national development. Protecting biodiversity is therefore protecting Zimbabwe’s future prosperity,” she said.
Dr Mnangagwa said conservation should be anchored on five key pillars: community participation through programmes such as CAMPFIRE, where communities become custodians and beneficiaries of wildlife resources; private sector participation; knowledge sharing; anti-poaching excellence and ranger welfare; and ecological restoration through habitat rehabilitation and species recovery.
“Conservation cannot be achieved by Government alone; it requires collaboration among communities, the private sector, development partners, research institutions and conservation organisations. Today I wish to sincerely thank all the organisations that supported this year’s Ranger Training Programme, including Matusadona Conservation Trust, Great Plains, Umfurudzi Park, Umlando, Chewore Conservation Trust, the International Fund for Animal Welfare and many others whose commitment continues to strengthen Zimbabwe’s conservation sector. Your support demonstrates that when we work together, we can achieve lasting conservation success,” she said.
She said Zimbabwe was commemorating World Ranger Day at a time when climate change, biodiversity loss, habitat degradation, illegal wildlife trade and increasing human-wildlife conflict were placing new demands on conservation efforts.
“The Rangers graduating today have undergone intensive training that has prepared them for this evolving conservation landscape. They have been equipped with skills in wildlife ecology, law enforcement, leadership, community engagement, crime scene management, conservation technology and environmental stewardship. They now join the proud ranks of Zimbabwe’s Rangers at a time when our country needs them the most.”
The First Lady urged the graduates to uphold discipline, integrity and professionalism while embracing modern conservation technologies and working closely with communities.
She also warned them against drug and substance abuse, saying conservation required discipline, clear judgment and unwavering commitment.
The First Lady, said conservation was a shared responsibility requiring Government, communities, development partners and the private sector to work together.
Responding on behalf of conservation partners, Chewore Conservation Trust public relations manager Ms Ndanatsiwa Tagwirei reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to supporting Government conservation efforts.
“Protecting wildlife in a landscape the size of Chewore South comes down to having enough trained rangers on the ground. Every recruit we add means better coverage and a faster response when it matters. For the 17 that we supported, this is more than a ceremony; it is the start of a guardianship for life,” she said.
She said CCT was also improving livelihoods in communities surrounding protected areas through initiatives such as nutritional gardens and other development projects.
ZimParks board chairperson Dr Agrippa Sora said the authority had integrated anti-drug and substance abuse education into the training programme.
“We are happy that the First Lady, Amai Mnangagwa, spoke about drug and substance abuse. As ZimParks, we ensured that the issue was fully covered during training. We know that after graduation they will begin earning incomes and supporting themselves, so it was important to teach them about the dangers of both hard and soft drugs,” he said.
Mashonaland West Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Marian Chombo said the province remained committed to strengthening conservation as tourism continued to be one of its key economic drivers.
“Tourism is one of Mashonaland West’s economic drivers. We are encouraging our communities to protect and safeguard nature so that they can realise economic benefits from conservation,” she said.
Of the 165 graduates, 38 were women, with 19-year-old Evernice Dzomba from Masoka in Mbire emerging as the best female shootist. She was among 17 recruits sponsored by Chewore Conservation Trust.
Speaking after the ceremony, Dzomba praised CCT for giving her the opportunity to pursue her dream.
“The training was tough and I am glad that I managed to complete it. I will soon become a breadwinner for my family. Growing up, I always wanted to be a ranger and I am grateful that, through the support of CCT, I was able to undergo the training.
“Protecting wildlife has always been my dream. My father encouraged me to apply, although some people believed the training would be too difficult for a woman. I believed in myself, kept working hard and proved to myself that I could do it. I hope more girls and young women will realise that conservation is a career they can pursue,” she said.
Another outstanding graduate, Brighton Beriwo, whose training was sponsored by Matusadona Conservation Trust, said completing the course marked the beginning of his responsibility to protect Zimbabwe’s wildlife.
“Now that we are fully-fledged rangers, I want to encourage my fellow rangers to work very hard to protect wildlife. I also want to encourage my former classmates to desist from using drugs because wildlife protection and conservation require sober minds,” he said.
Parents of the graduates also pledged to support conservation efforts. Mr Duweni Kutepa of Karoi and Dr Winnie Kamambo said the First Lady’s message had inspired them to play their part in protecting wildlife so that future generations would continue to enjoy Zimbabwe’s rich natural heritage.
The Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority training programme was supported by several conservation organisations, including Chewore Conservation Trust, Matusadona Conservation Trust and the International Fund for Animal Welfare.
