PROFILE
Southern African Wildlife College Through conservation education and skills development the college contributes to the preservation of Africa's natural heritage.
Southern Africa's network of parks and reserves is an important means of safeguarding the region's biological wealth. Whether parks are trans-frontier, state-run or privately owned, if managed well they are focal points for rural development and economic growth. As a result, adequate training and skills development programmes, such as those offered by the Southern African Wildlife College (SAWC), are vital for the conservation of the continent’s rich biological diversity while also enabling the flow of benefits from protected areas to communities as part of the development of the wildlife economy. The cutting-edge, hands-on training offered covers a wide spectrum of skills needed by protected area managers and natural resource managers from Southern Africa. It involves those who are either already in the service of conservation and environmental agencies, as well as individuals starting their careers in the conservation field.
Development Plan and as such will contribute to the goals and objectives of the National Biodiversity Economy Development Strategy and targets of the Department of Envionmental Affairs’ Vision 2024. Projects developed in partnership with, and funded by, the Department of Environmental Affairs and the National Treasury’s Jobs Fund are indicative thereof.
An important facet of the College’s training is its Wildlife Guardian Programme, which is aimed at equipping field rangers with the necessary skills to help ensure the integrity of protected areas and counter the onslaught of poaching in the region. In addition, the College offers a host of certificate programmes, learnerships, skills programme and short courses aimed at up-skilling people and providing employment within the conservation sector. This is done through its four key training units, which include: Wildlife Area Management, Protected Area Integrity, Sustainable Use and Guiding as well as Community Development and Youth Access.
Since its inception, the College has trained more than 14 000 students from 26 countries in Africa, mostly from countries in the SADC region. Approximately 80% of the learners who have received training at the SAWC are still in wildlife management and many of its graduates have been promoted to more senior management positions.
CONTACT INFO Tel: +27 15 793 7300 Email: info@sawc.org.za Website: www.wildlifecollege.org.za.
The College’s business plan has also been developed in line with key elements of the National SOUTH AFRICAN BUSINESS 2017
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