Vusumuzi DubeRutendo Nyeve, Online Correspondent
Growing up in a rural community in Zimbabwe, Nelson Mhlanga (34) knew from a young age that he was interested in pursuing a career where he could support conservation and community wellbeing.
With Zimbabwe being one of Africa’s wildlife hotspots, lack of exposure and sound career guidance is a challenge most youth growing up in the country have to face, which is why most young people’s dreams are squashed early.
Though he had graduated first in his class at Bindura University in Zimbabwe, majoring in Wildlife and Rangeland Management with a distinction in Environmental Science, there were no entry point conservation jobs waiting for Mhlanga.
“I always knew I wanted a career in wildlife conservation, one where I could save wild animals and improve community livelihood. I’m sure that my rural background growing up in Zimbabwe, one of Africa’s wildlife hotspots, contributed to my love for nature and desire to make an impact at a grassroots level,” said Mhlanga in an interview with Sunday News.
Reminiscing on his story, he revealed that it was the works of Professor Emeritus Anthony Sinclair and Dr Micheal Norton-Griffiths that first got him hooked on conservation and solidified his passion for promoting iconic species, saving the places they call home and ensuring communities live in harmony with wildlife.
“Originally published in 1979, their book Serengeti: Dynamics of an Ecosystem immediately captivated me and ever since I read it when I was 17, the patterns and processes of major ecosystems have fascinated me. The way the authors broke down the dynamic heterogeneity of the Mara–Serengeti Ecosystem and the ecological functionality of protecting wildlife and corridors that sustain the famous wildebeest migrations drew me in,” said Mhlanga.
He then enrolled for a field guides course and had to knock on many doors until he was taken in by one of the largest tour operators in the country conducting interpretative tours as a trainee guide. A highlight of that short career included hosting the Ambassador of Italy to Zimbabwe on a game drive.
Ambition without guidance however is a dangerous thing. This pushed Mhlanga to move away from his ambitions for a conservation-based role to a job in the mining sector.
Attracted by the associated financial gains, He joined a graduate traineeship program offered by Zimbabwe’s largest platinum mine which he describes as something that was as cool as you would imagine.
“I did wake up one day six years later, having one of those defining moments where you seriously self-reflect. Lucky for me, it came a bit earlier than it does for most other young adults. At that moment I realized that although I was good at my job in the mining sector (awarded a couple of innovation and best employee accolades), mining was not what I wanted to do at all. What I really wanted to achieve in life had never changed. I wanted to work in biodiversity conservation to make a purposeful and impactful contribution to the world, and I had a desire to see community livelihoods and human rights safeguarded on the continent I love so dearly,” said Mhlanga.
It was at this stage that Mhlanga was to embark on one of the most transforming journeys of his life. This was non-other than the journey from the mine to Oxford University where he had the opportunity to study for a Master of Science in Biodiversity, Conservation and Management which was indeed not an easy one.
“After searching for scholarships for over three years as I did not have the funds required to undertake these studies, I applied for an opportunity I came across on scholarship-positions.com. What made the journey better was having a handful of close people who had faith in me.
“We all need such people. People who remind you of your dream, people who take you to task about slacking-off, and above all, people who will push you to do and be better either through moral, financial or emotional support. Surround yourself with such people and the sky is the limit,” narrated Mhlanga.
With great tenacity and support from friends, Nelson Mhlanga graduated from Oxford University with a Masters of Science in Biodiversity Conservation and Management. Through the Oxford – Keith Lloyd Scholarship (offered to only one Southern African applicant each year), Linacre College became his home and it put him back on track and into mainstream conservation.
“At the end of the day, I have learned to trust the processes of life and to value the skills and experiences gained from my background that helped shape where I am today. Key to this and for anything in life is that tenacity, no matter what life throws at you, is important if you want to make it! In a world where so many alternatives to your dream can present themselves, choose to do what you love, no matter how long it might take or how hard the journey may be. Hang in there and knock on every door until an opportunity presents itself,” he said. -@nyeve14
Online Reporter