HARARE — In a powerful call for inclusive conservation, Malawi’s Minister of Tourism, Dr. Vera Kamtukule, announced that the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) Transfrontier Conservation Area (TFCA) has committed to ensuring communities living near protected wildlife areas benefit directly from the natural riches surrounding them.
Speaking Wednesday in Harare at the 2025 TFCAs Ministerial Meeting—where SADC is also commemorating 25 years of cross-border conservation—Kamtukule stressed that communities on the frontlines of conservation must no longer be left behind.
“They are the first line of defense,” she said. “If we are to accelerate wildlife development and sustainable tourism, their involvement is not optional—it’s essential.”
Kamtukule highlighted that Malawi is already seeing a surge in tourist arrivals, a sign that its tourism sector is gaining ground. She emphasized that regional coordination through TFCAs helps enhance the visitor experience across borders, boosting numbers and local economies alike.
“Natural resources should not only be protected—they must uplift the people who live closest to them,” she said.
SADC Executive Secretary Elias Mpedi Magosi, speaking earlier during the meeting’s official opening, warned that poaching and other environmental threats continue to jeopardize conservation efforts across the region.
The TFCA summit will culminate with a high-level Heads of State gathering on Friday, under the theme: SADC Transfrontier Conservation Areas: 25 Years of Cooperation for Regional Integration and Sustainable Development.
