John Cassim
Professor Edson Gandiwa, a renowned wildlife ecologist and professor at Chinhoyi University of Technology, has been appointed as the new Director General of the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks). He succeeds Dr. Fulton Mangwanya, who recently assumed the position of Director General of the Central Intelligence Organization (CIO).
This appointment is historic as it marks the first time an incoming ZimParks Director General has been appointed from within the ranks of the wildlife management institution.
Professor Gandiwa brings over 20 years of experience in wildlife conservation and higher education to this role. He previously served as Director of Scientific Services at ZimParks from January 2021 to January 2025. He is married to fellow ecologist and Professor Patience Gandiwa, and both have dedicated their careers to wildlife conservation within ZimParks under the leadership of Dr. Mangwanya.
Professor Gandiwa earned his PhD in Wildlife Conservation and Management from Wageningen University and Research in the Netherlands. He 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 the media framing of wildlife conservation.
He served as the Inaugural Executive Dean and Full Professor in the School of Wildlife, Ecology and Conservation at Chinhoyi University of Technology from May 2013 to January 2021.
Gandiwa has received several awards, including a research award in the Environmental Sector from the Research Council of Zimbabwe (2017) and the International Council for Game and Wildlife Conservation (CIC) Working Group Young Opinion Thesis Award for his PhD thesis titled “The Numbers Game in Wildlife Conservation: Changeability and framing of large mammal numbers in Zimbabwe” (received in Bulgaria, 2015).
Professor Gandiwa currently chairs the African Elephant Fund Steering Committee under the United Nations Environment Programme (Nairobi, Kenya). He is also a Board Member of the Environment, Climate and Sustainable Development Institute (ECSDI) at the University of Zimbabwe and a Non-Executive Director of Education at the Maulana School for Orphans and Vulnerable Children in Epworth. He previously served as a Board Member of the Environmental Management Agency (EMA).
Professor Gandiwa pledged to continue building upon the legacy of his predecessor, Dr. Mangwanya. “DG Dr. Mangwanya, as we bid farewell to you, I assure you that we will continue the great work you initiated. As our paths continue to cross, we will exchange notes, and your inputs and feedback will always be highly valued,” he said.
Gandiwa assumes this position at a time when ZimParks, under Dr. Mangwanya’s leadership, is said to have made significant progress, recovering from a period where it struggled to pay salaries. These successes are attributed in part to the interventions of conservation partners who have provided both financial and in-kind support.
The new ZimParks boss called upon his subordinates to prioritize excellent service by demonstrating selflessness, resourcefulness, innovation, and a willingness to share ideas on how to continuously improve operations within the wildlife agency.
Dr. Mangwanya encouraged the incoming DG and staff to continue the effective conservation work that has led to a substantial reduction in wildlife poaching in the country. “Lest we forget,” he urged, “what ZimParks manages is a natural heritage of this great nation that we need to jealously guard, enjoy, and protect for present and future generations.”
On a positive note, Gandiwa’s appointment has been widely celebrated by the wildlife conservation community. Numerous players have expressed their congratulations on social media.
Even key stakeholders who attended the handover ceremony expressed their gratitude. Phillip Kuwonga, IFAW Senior Director of Landscape Conservation, stated:
“We are thrilled to extend our warmest congratulations to Prof. E. Gandiwa on his appointment as the Director General of ZimParks. His leadership comes at a crucial time, and we have no doubt that his vision and expertise will significantly impact ZimParks and our collective efforts to preserve our natural heritage. We look forward to continued positive working relationships and the delivery of a shared vision that will benefit both the environment and the communities.”