Equitable resilience in southern African conservation systems

Southern Africa, with a longstanding legacy in global conservation, presents a diverse array of innovative and transformative conservation models. Despite this leadership, a critical gap exists in synthesizing lessons on comprehending, assessing, and building resilience across these diverse models. The working group addressed this challenge by convening diverse southern African researchers and practitioners spanning various knowledge domains. The group conducted a global synthesis of equitable resilience in natural resource systems, applying these insights to enhance our understanding of equitable resilience specifically in Southern Africa. Their approach heavily relies on collaboration with scientists-practitioners possessing profound and practical insights into conservation management and governance within Southern African systems. Through a strategic dissemination plan, encompassing academic publications, policy briefs, and popular articles, the working group seeks to provide both global intellectual leadership and practical policy support, contributing to the advancement of resilience-building initiatives throughout southern Africa.

Working Group Members

Prof. Alta De Vos, for Sustainability Transitions, Stellenbosch University
Prof. Dirk Roux, South African National Parks
Dr. Hayley Clements, for Sustainability Transitions, Stellenbosch University
Ms. Nelsiwe Mpapane, PhD candidate, Nelson Mandela University
Ms. Bekezela Nxumalo, PhD candidate, Stellenbosch University
Prof. Hervé Fritz, Nelson Mandela University
Prof. Edson Gandiwa, Scientific Services, Zimbabwe National Parks,
Prof. Graeme Cumming, University of Western Australia
Dr. Chloe Guerbois, Nelson Mandela University
Ms. Tess Parker, Rhodes University