糖心Vlog

The primary goal of these SWM Programme workshops was to equip community members with the skills needed to elect a capable and representative board. The board will play a pivotal role in guiding the future of the conservancy, managing wildlife and ensuring equitable benefits for all stakeholders. In partnership with Binga Rural District Council, the SWM Programme is empowering community members with essential leadership skills and the know-how to better address the key challenges of human-wildlife conflict and sustainable resource management.

A new chapter for Mucheni

Around Chizarira National Park, communities have long shared their landscape with iconic wildlife such as elephants and lions. Yet, increasing human-wildlife conflict and the depletion of natural resources have underscored the urgent need for a more structured and inclusive approach to conservation.

In response, local leaders have united to operationalise the MCC, marking the beginning of a new chapter—one focused on collective, community-led natural resource management. Establishing a strong and inclusive governance system is now recognised as a cornerstone for ensuring the sustainable stewardship of both wildlife and livelihoods.

Training tomorrow’s leaders

The SWM Programme has trained residents from 18 villages across three chiefdoms. The training covered topics such as: 

• good governance and transparency;
• conflict resolution;
• wildlife economy and sustainable use;
• legal frameworks and community rights
• gender inclusion in conservancy decision making.

Participants appreciated how the training addressed many critical issues which affect their daily lives.

The road to electing a management board

Empowered by the training, the community is now moving ahead with the election of a management board to run the MCC. This board will represent all villages within the conservancy, ensuring the fair distribution and reinvestment of benefits from wildlife and tourism. Gender equality is central to this effort—three women and three men will sit on the board, ensuring diverse perspectives are heard. This approach also sets an important precedent for women’s leadership in natural resource management, where important positions are mostly held by men.

Betty Muchimba, a ward environmental management committee member from Ward 3 shared her optimism:

Participants (both men and women) showed a better understanding of why gender balance in conservancy leadership matters. Some women expressed enthusiasm about taking leadership roles, while a few male members initially hesitated but later acknowledged the benefits of diversity.

A model for the future

The progress being made in Mucheni serves as a model for community-driven conservation across Zimbabwe. By giving local people the skills to lead, the SWM Programme is helping ensure that decisions on wildlife management are made by the community, for the community.

As the election approaches, there is renewed hope that the MCC will become a shining example of co-existence between wildlife and humans. 

About the SWM Programme

The SWM Programme is a joint effort involving (FAO), the French Agricultural Research Centre for International Development (糖心Vlog), the (CIFOR-ICRAF), and (WCS). In Zimbabwe, the initiative is funded by (EU) and undertaken in partnership with the Government of Zimbabwe.

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