By Tichaona Mataruse
Conservation should improve the lives of people living alongside wildlife by creating opportunities in education, employment and innovation, Painted Dog Conservation (PDC) Board Chairman Senator Jerry Gotora said during the official opening of the Uncommon–Painted Dog Conservation Innovation Hub at Gwai Valley Primary School in Hwange District on Wednesday last week.
Speaking at the launch, Gotora said the innovation hub, established through a partnership between PDC and Uncommon.org, represents more than a new building, describing it as an investment in young people and the future of rural communities.
“Today we celebrate far more than the opening of a building. We celebrate the opening of opportunity. This Hub is a place where technology meets conservation, where education inspires innovation and where young people are empowered to shape their own future,” he said.
The hub will provide young people with digital skills, including computer literacy and software development, enabling them to contribute to the social and economic development of their communities while supporting conservation efforts.
Gotora said the project reflects PDC’s philosophy that conservation can only succeed when communities benefit from it.
“Since its establishment over two decades ago, Painted Dog Conservation has been guided by a simple but enduring philosophy: conservation succeeds when communities succeed,” he said.
“We have always believed that protecting wildlife cannot be separated from improving the wellbeing of the people who share the landscape with it. Conservation must create opportunity, build resilience and improve livelihoods. Simply put, conservation is for the people and by the people.”
He said PDC’s commitment to community development extends well beyond constructing infrastructure.
Since 2004, the organisation has operated the Wilton Nsimango Children’s Bush Camp, one of Zimbabwe’s leading environmental education programmes. Every year, learners from 21 local primary schools participate in four-day environmental education camps where they learn about wildlife conservation, environmental stewardship and sustainable living through hands-on experiences in nature.
More than 18 000 children have passed through the programme, with many becoming ambassadors for conservation in their schools, families and communities.
“Our commitment to education extends well beyond infrastructure,” Gotora said.
“We firmly believe that investing in young people is one of the greatest investments we can make in the future of Zimbabwe’s natural heritage.”
He said PDC has also prioritised employing people from communities living alongside wildlife so that they directly benefit from conservation.
“We have also deliberately prioritised employing local people. We believe that those who live alongside wildlife should be among the first to benefit from its conservation,” he said.
Gotora said one of the organisation’s proudest achievements has been the establishment and continued growth of its Community Anti-Poaching Programme, which now employs more than 200 local community members across the Hwange landscape.
The programme injects more than US$40 000 annually into the local economy through employment and community support.
“It is living proof that conservation can create meaningful livelihoods while safeguarding one of Zimbabwe’s greatest national assets,” he said.
Beyond conservation programmes, Gotora said PDC has invested in community development by constructing a classroom block at Lupote Primary School, building Songwa Clinic and renovating clinics in Mabale, Makwandara, Dete and Lupote to improve access to healthcare for rural communities.
He also appealed for stronger road safety measures along the Bulawayo–Victoria Falls Highway, particularly between Fatima and Cross Dete, where the road passes through communities, schools and an important wildlife crossing corridor in the buffer zone of Hwange National Park.
Gotora said despite PDC supporting the installation of more than 207 road safety and wildlife warning signs, as well as speed humps at strategic locations, wildlife road fatalities remain a concern while motorists, pedestrians and school children continue to face risks along the corridor.
“We therefore respectfully appeal for continued collaboration between Government, the Department of Roads, conservation organisations and local communities to strengthen road safety measures along this important corridor,” he said.
“Additional traffic-calming infrastructure, expanded signage where required, stronger enforcement of speed limits and continued public awareness will help save lives—both human and wildlife.”
Gotora thanked Government, development partners, traditional leaders and the people of Gwayi for supporting the initiative, saying the Uncommon–Painted Dog Conservation Innovation Hub would become a centre of excellence that nurtures innovation, develops talent and creates opportunities for generations to come.
“Together, we have demonstrated that conservation is about far more than protecting wildlife. It is about empowering communities, creating opportunities, strengthening livelihoods and ensuring that people and nature thrive together,” he said.