WCS’s new Regional Director for East Africa, Madagascar and the Western Indian Ocean, Luthando Dziba, recently visited Mozambique to learn about conservation activities being implemented across the country and meet key stakeholders in WCS’s work.
During his stay in Maputo, Luthando Dziba had audiences with the Minister of Land and Environment, Ivete Maibaze and Director General of the National Administration for Conservation Areas (ANAC), Celmira da Silva. During these meetings, he reiterated WCS's commitment to the conservation of Niassa Special Reserve (NSR), which is co-managed by the Mozambique Government and WCS. He also discussed WCS's interest in increasing technical support to the Government through the Marine Program which has recently started new activities in Nampula Province as part of the ‘Blue Future’ project. Additional meetings were held with USAID, BIOFUND and the Blue Action Fund team.
Luthando Dziba with Ivete Maibaze, Mozambique's Minister for Land and Environment
In Niassa Special Reserve, Luthando visited central camps in Mbatamila, the East Surveillance Section, Mariri and Luwire Operators before meeting the Warden Terêncio Tamele and senior staff to discuss activities carried out in each sector. Opportunities and challenges addressed during his visit included the need to improve NSR camp conditions and communication systems, to focus efforts on community welfare and supporting sustainable livelihoods, and to strengthen collaboration between WCS, ANAC and partners to meet key conservation objectives.
Luthando Dziba with NSR Warden, Terêncio Tamele, on left side, and WCS Mozambique Country Director, Afonso Madope, in the middle side.
Luthando expressed his desire to return to Mozambique soon and his gratitude for experiencing the scenic beauty of NSR’s unique and important biodiversity first-hand. He left convinced that effective conservation of this vast ecosystem will help the country achieve national and global sustainable development goals. He was accompanied on the trip by WCS Mozambique Country Director, Afonso Madope and WCS Management Advisor for the East Africa, Madagascar, Western Indian Ocean Region, Natalie Ingle.