Mbabane, Eswatini – 2 July 2025 – In the battle to protect Africa’s ecosystems, the challenge is no longer just environmental degradation—it is the legal and institutional maze that comes with holding perpetrators accountable. From raw sewer dumped into Lake Chivero to ivory smuggled out of Botswana, the complexity of environmental litigation is leaving enforcers…
Mbabane, Eswatini, 1 July 2025 – International negotiations—from climate change to biodiversity—are complex, highly choreographed affairs. Yet many journalists covering them don’t really know how these processes work. That lack of understanding risks undermining African positions, fuelling division, and weakening the continent’s negotiating power. This was the sobering message delivered today at the media training…
Mbabane, Eswatini – As journalists from across Africa gather for training on Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs), one treaty stands out for both its importance and its complexity: the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). Yet for many reporters, even those covering environmental beats, CITES remains misunderstood. It is…
Mbabane, Eswatini – The Kingdom of Eswatini this week welcomed delegates from across Africa for a landmark training workshop on reporting Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs), reaffirming its commitment to environmental stewardship, sustainable development, and regional cooperation. Speaking at the opening of the event, the representative of the Principal Secretary of the Ministry of Tourism and…
Mbabane, Eswatini – 30 June 2025 – Stakeholders from across Africa have gathered in Eswatini’s capital, Mbabane, for a landmark three-day Media Training on Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEA) Reporting, signalling a new era in empowering African media to actively shape the continent’s environmental narrative. Organized by the African Union Commission (AUC) Sustainable Environment and Blue…
Writes Edgar Gweshe Community stewardship is a powerful model for wetlands protection which fosters local ownership and engagement leading to more sustainable and effective conservation efforts. Community involvement in wetlands protection ensures that locals become the primary stewards of wetlands thus promoting long-term sustainability and positive change. Community stewardship promotes increased awareness, collaboration, and partnerships,…
On 28 May 2025, Mr Gwinyai Muti, the International Coordinator for the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Conservation Area (GLTFCA) presented to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) World Commission on Protected Areas Conservation Specialist Group detailing the process of how Transfrontier Conservation Area has established a model transboundary and governance structure and joint planning…
Writes Edgar Gweshe Harare is losing its headwater wetlands – sources of water for the capital- at an alarming rate. According to the Environmental Management Agency (EMA), 82% of the country’s wetlands are moderately to severely degraded, with only 18% remaining in a relatively undisturbed state. Statistics show that over the last two…
The shared commitment to regional cooperation and integration, environmental stewardship, and sustainable development as espoused under the SADC Transfrontier Conservation Areas (TFCAs) should put communities at the forefront, President Emmerson Mnangagwa has said. President Mnangagwa made the remarks at the close of the historic inaugural SADC Transfrontier Conservation Areas (TFCA) Conference and Summit which…
During the SADC Transfrontier Conservation Areas International Conference held in Harare, Zimbabwe over the period 19 – 21 May 2025, the International Coordinator for the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Conservation Area, Mr. Gwinyai Muti mentioned that the signing of a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Limpopo Watercourse Commission (LIMCOM) and the Great Limpopo Transfrontier…
The Transfrontier Conservation Areas (TFCAs) Framework under the Southern African Development Community (SADC) complements regional strategies in eco-tourism, climate resilience, and rural development, and contributes meaningfully to national goals of equity and shared prosperity. This came to the fore in opening remarks by Zimbabwe’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade and Chairperson of…
Zimbabwe convened a meeting of the Ministers responsible for Environment, Natural Resources, and Tourism on the sidelines of the historic inaugural SADC Transfrontier Conservation Areas (TFCA) Conference and Summit as a testament to the southern region’s commitment to conservation, sustainable development, and regional integration. These sentiments were captured in the remarks by the Minister…
As Zimbabwe is hosting the SADC Transfrontier Conservation Areas (TFCAs) Summit from 19–23 May 2025 at the Harare International Conference Centre (HICC) Zimbabwe, non-state actors have outlined their expectations under the initiative. The summit is under the theme “25 Years of Cooperation for Regional Integration and Sustainable Development.” Leaders and experts will come…
Member states of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) have been urged to uphold collective commitment to transboundary cooperation under the regional bloc’s Transfrontier Conservation Areas (TFCAs). Addressing the SADC TFCAs International Conference at the Rainbow Towers Hotel in his welcome remarks in Harare today, Ambassador Tadeous Tafirenyika Chifamba, the Permanent Secretary for Environment,…
The International Rhino Foundation (IRF) and the Wildlife Conservation Network are partnering to launch a new wildlife leadership program focusing entirely on rhino conservation practitioners. The program will begin in May. This transformative program—Rising Wildlife Leaders: Careers—will equip local conservationists in the countries where rhinos live with the skills, mentorship, and career support they need to make a lasting…
The Board of Directors of the African Development Fund (https://apo-opa.co/4iITWIP) – the African Development Bank Group’s (www.AfDB.org) concessional financing window – approved a donation of $9.42 million to Madagascar to implement climate resilience through the Preservation of Biodiversity in National Parks Project. The grant, agreed upon on 18 December 2024 in Abidjan, comes from the…
Writes Edgar Gweshe As part of efforts to protect the Cleveland Dam Ramsar Site, stakeholders gathered in Mabvuku, Harare on Tuesday to mull the formation of a site management committee tasked with the management of the internationally recognised wetland. Cleveland Dam is an internationally designated wetland and key biodiversity area under the Ramsar Convention on…
The 2024 NetOne Albun Honde Valley Marathon has become a beacon of hope, unity, and purpose, embodying the mobile telephony giant’s commitment to promoting tourism, fostering rural development, and raising awareness about the critical issues of global warming and environmental preservation. These were the sentiments of Engineer Raphael Mushanawani, the NetOne Group Chief Executive…
A High-Level Segment of the 10th Meeting of Parties (MoP10) to the Water Convention in Ljubljana, Slovenia has demonstrated the importance of transboundary water cooperation. Key dignitaries who attended the meeting include Zimbabwe’s Deputy Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Hon. Vangelis Peter Haritatos; H.E. Mr. Robert Golob, Prime Minister of…
Writes Elvis Dumba Banket – Concerned residents of Banket have raised alarm over the devastating impact of artisanal mining on the environment, with authorities accused of turning a blind eye to the destruction. Artisanal mining has become a significant threat to Zimbabwe’s environment, with many miners operating outside ecological rules, leaving hazardous pits and toxic…
Writes Admore Mbonda Kariba – Residents of Kariba are living in fear as baboons increasingly invade their neighborhoods, with some even making their way into the Kariba District Hospital, where they are stealing food from the wards. Residents report that baboons have become a common sight, particularly in the mornings, as they roam freely through…
Clayton Masekesa With furtive glances over his shoulder, Samson Muchibo (not his real name), the firewood poacher, creeps through the Burma Valley forest in Mutare South constituency, his worn axe slung over his shoulder. He knows the Zimbabwe Republic Police, Environmental Management Agency (EMA), and Zimbabwe Forestry Commission authorities are on the lookout for him,…
His Excellency, Mr. Edward Kallon, the United Nations (UN) Resident Coordinator for Zimbabwe has rallied African First Ladies to spearhead environmental stewardship for the greater good of society. Addressing delegates at the First Ladies Advocacy Event on Climate Change and the Environment on the sidelines of the 44th Southern African Development Community (SADC) IN…
The Thematic Committee on Climate Change visited local farmers in Southeast Lowveld yesterday to explore an innovative solution to the pressing issue of human-wildlife conflict. The farmers have devised a method using chilies to create smoke blocks, which are used to safely and effectively scare away elephants. This practice significantly reduces the risk of…
The signing of the Zimbabwe, Mozambique, and Zambia (ZIMOZA) Transfrontier Conservation Area (TFCA) by His Excellency President Dr. Emmerson Mnangagwa of Zimbabwe, His Excellency Filipe Nyusi of Mozambique, and the Honourable Rodney Sikumba, Zambian Minister of Tourism signifies a commitment to regional cooperation to enhance environmental stewardship. The agreement was signed yesterday in Harare and…
The leading industry event, the Organic and Natural Products Expo Africa, proudly sponsored by Standard Bank, is returning to Johannesburg for its fourth edition at the Sandton Convention Centre from 12 to 14 September 2024. As Africa’s only dedicated event for the organic and natural products industry, this expo is the ultimate platform for traders…
Writes Charles Dhewa Agroecology and related sustainable ways of producing food started receiving attention in the past few years compared to industrial agriculture practices some of which are more than 100 years old. This means big industries that advance agroecology at a big scale are yet to be developed. However, the increasing demand for food…
Writes Chimeno Azriel Chedonje Primary School won the prestigious Environmental Quiz Competition finals held at Highbury Hotel and Conference Center in Kadoma last Thursday. Sanyati District Primary schools converged at the magnificent hotel and battled each other for the coveted environmental quiz competition and learners proved that they were ready to fight climate change as…
The collaboration of the Ministry of Environment, Climate and Wildlife, the Ministry of Tourism and Hospitality Industry, and the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority will take Zimbabwe to greater heights, in terms of wildlife conservation and sustainable tourism development, First Lady, Hon Dr. Auxillia Mnangagwa has said. She said this in her keynote speech…
Writes Lloyd Rabaya Swish swoosh goes the pens as attendees take notes while Christopher Chinyoka, a young field officer guides them through Elizabeth Mpofu’s field in Shashe, Masvingo more than 40km from the Central Business District (CBD). Under the cloud cover, the birds in the trees welcome the Zimbabwe Smallholder Organic Farmers Forum (ZIMSOFF) farmers…
Writes Chimeno Azriel The Kore Kore Cultural Village this year plays host to the Mashonaland West Culture Month celebrations set for the 12th of July 2024 in Makonde. The day serves as a reminder of the importance of cultural diversity and the need to preserve cultural practices that embody the spirit of humanity (Ubuntu/Unhu). Situated…
Thor Oechsner arrives at one of his wheat fields about 9 miles west of Cornell University’s Ithaca campus with a laugh and a shrug. “It’s not all turnip flowers,” Cornell Extension support specialist Kristen Loria responds in answer to the farmer’s good-natured, nonverbal admonishment. She’s referring to the bright blooms of yellow rockets that are…
Bonn, Germany – Proper progress is urgently needed at the UNFCCC climate negotiations this week as, with each day passing, the talks are turning into a cesspit of inaction. Underscoring this is how divorced Bonn is fast becoming from real-world conversations, while long-standing inequities within the UNFCCC process, and between and within countries, are worsening. Providing…
As part of its effort to promote transparent and open ocean governance, Accountability.Fish has released the results of the 28th Session of the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission held in Bangkok, Thailand on May 13 -17. The results can be found at: https://accountability.fish/meeting/iotc -2024 “Once again, as the IOTC doesn’t report out the actions taken by…
…a lifeline for People, Wildlife, and the Economy The Pungwe River basin, shared by Zimbabwe and Mozambique, is rich in plant and animal diversity. However, the ecosystem is now under threat from human activities. In 2023, Global Water Partnership Southern Africa (GWPSA) commissioned an Environmental Flow (EFlows) assessment to understand how the Pungwe River Basin…
A grouping of community-based organisations (CBOs) has said there is an urgent need to save Cleveland Dam, one of internationally-recognised wetlands under the Ramsar Convention. Cleveland Action Alliance, Manyame Conservation Trust, Network for Environmental and Climate Justice, and Residents Against Land Degradation have joined hands in condemning environmentally-degrading activities at the dam. The CBOs expressed…
In a significant move towards sustainable development and effective governance, Councilors from Bulilima District recently participated in a training workshop on natural resource management. Organized by Habakkuk Trust, the workshop aimed to empower Councilors with the knowledge and skills necessary to manage the district’s natural resources effectively. Through interactive sessions and expert presentations, participants gained…
Writes Hopewell Chibvongodze The Climate Adaptation and Protected Areas (CAPA) initiative implemented by the World Wide Fund (WWF) Zimbabwe aims to promote natural solutions that strengthen climate resilience and protect biodiversity in Binga and Hwange districts, an official has said. In an interview on Thursday, WWF Zimbabwe’s nature-based solutions project manager, Tendai Chinho, said the…
Nouabalé-Ndoki National Park, Sangha Trinational, Republic of Congo (April 30 2024)—A recent study, published in the scientific journal “Plant Ecology and Evolution,” sheds valuable insights into forest stands of Gilbertiodendron dewevrei (G. dewevrei) in the Sangha Trinational region. Read this scientific publication HERE. G. dewevrei, known as “Bemba” or “Limbali” forest by Indigenous Peoples and Local…
(Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe) April 2024 – Family-owned and independently run, Matetsi Victoria Falls is a beautifully designed, award-winning, luxury safari lodge situated on the banks of the Zambezi River, within its own 136,000-acre pristine wilderness – Matetsi Private Game Reserve – offering a truly unique experience, that can be enjoyed by guests from around the…
In a landmark development, Ministers responsible for Water Affairs from the Republics of Botswana, Mozambique, South Africa and Zimbabwe gathered in Musina, South Africa on 14 March 2024 to officially launch the “Integrated Transboundary River Basin Management for the Sustainable Development of the Limpopo River Basin (LIMCOM-UNDP/GEF project).” The Ministers pledged to ensure that the…
Writes Ryan Orgera WASHINGTON: Is today’s fisheries management system capable of taking on a bigger role in the future of ocean governance? Or, is it even effectively managing the sustainability of the world’s marine wildlife today? From Accountability.Fish’s perspective, the answer to both questions is no – and the transparency advocacy group is launching a…
Ministers responsible for Water Affairs from the Republics of Botswana, Mozambique, South Africa, and Zimbabwe will on 14 March 2024 meet for a historic meeting in Musina, South Africa to recommit their support to deepening transboundary cooperation in the Limpopo River Basin. During the meeting, the Ministers will sign the Amendment to the LIMCOM Agreement,…
The African Wildlife Foundation (AWF) is participating in the second in-person conference of the Africa Protected Areas Directors (APAD) network, which started yesterday in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe. This pivotal event spanning from March 5th to 8th, has brought together directors of protected and conserved areas (PCAs) from across Africa to address pressing conservation challenges facing…
Mutoko-based Gohori Resort is emerging as an epitome of domestic tourism in line with a campaign introduced by Hon Barbra Rwodzi, the Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry, dubbed “Uripi/Ungapi” which has seen locals developing interest in activities like safari, sight-seeing, and mountain climbing. Gohori Resort, the tourism landscape-changing rural-bush luxury resort, hosted a Zimbabwean…
