The Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks) has ushered in a new chapter with the appointment of Professor Edson Gandiwa as its director-general, succeeding Dr. Fulton Mangwanya, who now serves as the Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) director-general.
Speaking at the handover ceremony in Harare, Prof. Gandiwa expressed deep gratitude for the opportunity to lead ZimParks, acknowledging the challenges of filling the void left by Dr. Mangwanya while drawing inspiration from his predecessor’s commitment to conservation and legacy of hard work. Dr. Mangwanya, reflecting on his tenure, emphasized that ZimParks’ mission extends beyond conservation to align with sustainable development goals, including poverty eradication, ensuring that wildlife conservation benefits all Zimbabweans.
Acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Environment, Climate, and Wildlife, Mr. Edward Samuriwo, described the transition as a historic milestone for ZimParks, commending Dr. Mangwanya’s lasting impact on the nation’s conservation efforts. Similarly, Mrs. Sithembile Ncube, the acting chairperson of the ZimParks board, assured Prof. Gandiwa of the board’s full support in continuing the authority’s critical work.
Prof. Gandiwa, who holds a PhD in Wildlife Conservation and Management from Wageningen University in the Netherlands and has co-authored over 140 peer-reviewed publications, brings a wealth of expertise to the role. His previous position as Executive Dean of the School of Wildlife, Ecology, and Conservation at Chinhoyi University of Technology further underscores his qualifications.
As he steps into his new role, Prof. Gandiwa aims to uphold ZimParks’ mission of wildlife conservation while fostering sustainable development and navigating the complex balance between conservation and human-wildlife coexistence in a country celebrated for its rich biodiversity.
