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Sifelani Tsiko Agric, Environment & Innovations Editor
Eight young Zimbabweans have been selected for the inaugural Top 100 Young African Conservation Leaders awards.
The young conservationists were chosen for their impactful conservation work at local, national and continental levels. The awards which were jointly organised by the African Wildlife Foundation, African Alliance of YMCAs, World Organisation of the Scout Movement (Africa Region) and Worldwide Fund for Nature (WWF) were an initiative that aims to recognise the first top 100 list of young African conservation actors under 35.
Young Zimbabweans who won recognition include Nelson Mhlanga, Kelvin Chibanda, Everlasting Chinoda, Bob Mandinyenya, Daniel Sithole, Elizabeth Gulugulu, Jean-Betrand Mhandu and Lenin Chisaira.
They were all honoured for their work that “promises to leave a lasting impression in the African conservation landscape.”
The winners will have access to mentorship from industry leaders in nature and wildlife conservation. Furthermore, they will have access to information resources and tools to enable them to better manage their initiatives, monitor and scale and sustain their initiatives.
The award winners will have access to a year-long leadership development programme aimed at enabling them to have knowledge and skills to improve the design of their initiatives, implement models, community engagement, networking and resource mobilisation.
Organisers of the award say the leadership programme will ultimately ensure a cadre of youth conservation professionals that are contributing to the continent’s Agenda 2063 goals as well as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The programme will equip leaders and change agents with practical skills and systems thinking to move from intention to action to solve urgent challenges, leveraging on the principles and practices of Ubuntu to co-create Africa’s future.
Online Reporter