By Takudziridzwa Nyama
Professor Edson Gandiwa has been appointed as the new Director General of the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks). He replaces Fulton Mangwanya who is now the head of the CIO.
Professor Gandiwa has over 20 years of experience in the fields of wildlife conservation and higher education and comes to his new role not a novice.
Previously, he served as Director of Scientific Services at ZimParks and held various academic positions at Chinhoyi University of Technology.
Gandiwa is also a professor of Wildlife Conservation and Management and previously served as the Dean of the School of Wildlife, Ecology and Conservation at Chinhoyi University of Technology.
His academic background is equally impressive, with a Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Science and Health from the National University of Science and Technology (NUST).
“Professor Gandiwa has (co)authored over 200 peer-reviewed scientific publications. His research interests include biodiversity and wildlife conservation, protected area management, community-based natural resource management, ecotourism and media framing of wildlife conservation, said ZimParks as they welcomed the new Director General.
Professor Gandiwa is the current Chair of the African Elephant Fund Steering Committee under the United Nations Environment Programme (Nairobi, Kenya) and he also seats on several boards.
The appointment of Gandiwa as the new ZimParks Director-General is expected to bring a new level of expertise and leadership to the organization.