iSimangaliso hosts Young Global Leaders
The group of eight, half of whom were from Africa, first attended the World Economic Forum’s African summit in Durban
THE iSimangaliso Wetland Park World Heritage Site was the chosen destination to host a dynamic group of Young Global Leaders (YGL) on a field trip to see first-hand the new era of conservation in Africa.
The group of eight, half of whom were from Africa, first attended the World Economic Forum’s African summit in Durban.
According to iSimangaliso’s Research Manager Nerosha Govender, the Young Global Leaders team wished to visit iSimangaliso on an interactive study tour to learn about and marshal their networks and resources towards maximising the benefits of iSimangaliso’s economic empowerment and job creation programmes.
The group was hosted by iSimangaliso’s Sifiso Vumase, a former intern from the local community and one of the eight graduates recently employed by Simangaliso.
It is fitting that 40% of iSimangaliso’s staff are under 30 years of age.
Sifiso’s passion is indigenous trees and he talked to the YGLs about the recent tree naming and labelling project he undertook with local community experts.
‘Hands on’ conservation
The YGL group was given a demonstration of, and an opportunity to engage in, one of the alien plant clearing projects in the park.
Alien plant clearing contracts provide employment for some 840 park neighbours annually.
Group organiser Lindiwe Mazibuko said she had been recommended to approach iSimangaliso after she heard from a colleague about ‘the remarkable story of iSimangaliso’s return to its natural state and forging strong regional linkages to overcome poverty.’
Mazibuko said the two-day trip was the perfect end to a busy week engaging World Economic Forum delegates about the future of the African continent, and the lessons learned were absolutely extraordinary.’
‘For us as a group of Young Global Leaders, whose mission is underpinned by a commitment to make the world a better place, it was wonderful to see the fruits of decades worth of research, time, advocacy and commitment on the part of the iSimangaliso team.’
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