Rutendo Nyeve
THE Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks) and the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) have stepped up conservation education in Matabeleland North through the relaunch of the Room to Roam Nature Clubs in Hwange District.
The relaunch, held at Matetsi Primary School on Thursday, brought together schools from Hwange, Tsholotsho and Lupane districts, with learners and teachers receiving bicycles and textbooks to support education and environmental stewardship.
Matabeleland North Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Richard Moyo was represented at the event by his office’s director, Mr Tapera Mugoriya. IFAW president and chief executive officer Azzedine Downes and senior ZimParks officials also attended.
The programme, which ZimParks and IFAW have been implementing since 2019, now covers 25 schools — 23 primary and two secondary — across Hwange, Tsholotsho and Lupane districts.
About US$1.5 million has so far been invested in communities through the partnership.
ZimParks Director-General Professor Edson Gandiwa, represented by Director of Operations Mr Arthur Musakwa, said conservation education was critical to safeguarding the country’s wildlife and natural heritage.
“For ZimParks, teaching children about conservation is an important part of protecting Zimbabwe’s wildlife and natural heritage. National parks are better protected when neighbouring communities understand their importance and have opportunities to help care for them,” he said.
Minister Moyo commended the two organisations for sustaining conservation education and community development initiatives in the province.
He said that in 2024, the partners donated 100 bicycles to learners travelling long distances through wildlife areas and 500 curriculum textbooks to 10 schools in Hwange and Tsholotsho, benefiting about 1 600 learners.
“Today’s handover of guidebooks, textbooks and bicycles continues that commitment to safer access, better learning and active environmental stewardship,” he said.
He added that conservation education should help young people appreciate wildlife while understanding the challenges faced by their families and communities.
Mr Downes said IFAW was committed to safeguarding the future of wildlife by equipping children with the knowledge and tools to become conservation ambassadors in their communities.
Hwange District Schools Inspector Mr Fani Moyo welcomed the continued support, saying the partnership had demonstrated a willingness to listen to the needs of schools and communities.
However, he appealed to IFAW to assist in constructing modern Early Childhood Development play centres and an additional classroom block at Matetsi Primary School to ease overcrowding.
The bicycles are expected to benefit teachers and learners who walk between eight and 15 kilometres daily, helping improve punctuality and attendance, with the potential to boost pass rates.
