Simangele Msweli-Ratsoana 🇿🇦🇰🇪

MSc in Biological Sciences @UKZN | Associate Director, Conservation Education & Youth Leadership @AWF_Official | Wife to @professorLebza | MRF Scholar

[AWF @AWF_Official]

What does the future of conservation look like?

It looks like classrooms alive with curiosity.

It sounds like young voices speaking up for wildlife.

It feels like a generation ready to lead change.

In Tsavo, Kenya, the @AWF_Official, in collaboration with the @ClubsWildlife, is bringing this vision to life through the Young Conservation Heroes Project, an initiative investing in African conservation leadership by nurturing young students to become environmentally conscious leaders.

With support from Bob and Emmy King, the project engages students aged 7 to 17 across 137 primary schools through wildlife clubs, equipping them with the knowledge, mentorship, and skills to protect wildlife, restore ecosystems, and strengthen community resilience.

As of October 2025, the project has reached 114 schools and 46,567 learners, with a goal of engaging 80,000 by 2028; therefore, creating a powerful ripple of conservation action across Kenya’s Tsavo landscape.

See below how the Young Conservation Heroes Project is empowering students across Tsavo to lead lasting change for people and wildlife.

@MsweliSimangele, @AWFCEO,

[Simangele Msweli-Ratsoana 🇿🇦🇰🇪 @MsweliSimangele]

@AWF_Official join the #WeAreNatureChallenge here: https://t.co/gkdLlxZrs1

[AWF @AWF_Official]

As we celebrate #InternationalYouthDay, we reiterate that Africa’s greatest asset is its young people. The @AWF_Official has deliberately invested in nurturing the best and brightest minds to lead conservation on the continent. Through partnerships with like-minded organizations, we train future conservationists and change agents, engaging youth in conservation learning and advocacy, and mobilizing them to demand and deliver meaningful action for nature.

These efforts are shaping a generation of young Africans whose talent, innovation, and creativity are being harnessed to safeguard the continent’s wildlife and critical ecosystems. This focus on youth leadership has never been more urgent. With a median age of just 19 and more than three-quarters of Africa’s population under the age of 35, the future of conservation will be determined by how effectively we equip this majority to lead.

In line with this mission, we have partnered with @UNEP and @Youth_ActionKE for the We Are Nature: Youth Biodiversity Challenge, an initiative engaging 5,000 youth aged 18–35 in hands-on learning and action. The challenge uses Nature Buddy, an interactive WhatsApp chatbot (available in English and Swahili), to teach why biodiversity matters, connect peers across borders, and guide simple, practical actions to restore nature close to home.

So, in celebration of #InternationalYouthDay, Do Know someone aged 18–35? Invite them to join the movement: https://t.co/dR3c3d0EL1 — and tell them to simply say “Hello 👋” to get started.

Happy #InternationalYouthDay!!

@MsweliSimangele, @AWFCEO, @Fred_K_Kumah

[Simangele Msweli-Ratsoana 🇿🇦🇰🇪 @MsweliSimangele]

@UNBiodiversity @Youth_ActionKE

[Simangele Msweli-Ratsoana 🇿🇦🇰🇪 @MsweliSimangele]

The “Nature Buddy”, is a WhatsApp based chat bot for you to:

- Learn about biodiversity and the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework
- Connect with youth leaders championing conservation
- Get solution cards and act for nature:

Join here: https://t.co/gkdLlxZrs1

[AWF @AWF_Official]

To officially launch the We Are Nature: Youth Biodiversity Challenge in Kenya, @AWF_Official and the @Youth_ActionKE today brought together a passionate and diverse group of young people, conservation leaders, and partners for an activator event to further immerse them into the challenge and encourage their fellow youth in their networks to engage. The event marked the start of a nationwide campaign to engage over 5,000 youth aged 18–35 in a hands-on learning and action experience aimed at deepening their understanding of biodiversity and strengthening their role in protecting it.

The challenge, facilitated by the @UNEP and locally implemented by @AWF_Official and @Youth_ActionKE , uses Nature Buddy, a WhatsApp-based chatbot, to deliver interactive content in both English and Swahili.

Through Nature Buddy, participants learn about biodiversity and why it matters, connect with a global community of changemakers, and take simple, guided actions to protect and restore nature in their own communities. It’s a practical, accessible way for youth to take the lead in shaping the future of our planet.

We invite you to be part of this movement. If you know a young person aged 18–35, encourage them to take on the challenge.

Share this Nature Buddy link, https://t.co/dR3c3d0EL1, and let them know to simply say “Hello 👋” to get started.

And for those working with youth or passionate about conservation, help us spread the word across your networks. See the poster below for more details.

Together, we can inspire a generation of informed, connected, and active biodiversity champions.

[AWF @AWF_Official]

The @AWF_Official, in collaboration with the @ClubsWildlife, has been leading efforts to equip school children in Tsavo Landscape, Kenya’s largest conservation area, with the knowledge and skills to become young conservation heroes in their communities.
As part of this effort, we recently completed a three-week journey across 31 primary schools in Kwale, Kilifi, and Makueni counties. During this time, we engaged more than 2,000 students in context-specific and interactive conservation education sessions on topics such as climate change, soil health, wildlife conservation, and marine and dryland ecosystems.

This initiative inspires young minds and fosters environmental awareness, nurturing young conservation heroes with a deeper connection to nature and a sense of responsibility for its protection.

Read more about how AWF is raising the next generation of leaders here - https://t.co/JTCKWHRz6v

[AWF @AWF_Official]

Congratulations! AWF Charles R. Wall Youth Leadership Program - 2024 Cohort!

Growing Friendships and Excellence for Conservation Impact in Africa – that’s the powerful theme we celebrated today with the 2024 Graduating Class of the AWF Charles R. Wall Youth Leadership Program!

Over the past nine months, these fellows have sharpened their skills in International Environmental Governance (IEG), self-leadership, team leadership, and organizational leadership—while forming invaluable connections across our continent. To the fellows: with the knowledge, skills, and networks you have forged, we look to you to hold the torch for African unity and African conservation.

During the virtual graduation ceremony, the African Wildlife Foundation VP for Global Leadership, @Fred_K_Kumah, reminded them that this decade is shaped by intense geopolitics—both within subregions of Africa and between Africa and other parts of the world—while we simultaneously confront the triple planetary crisis of biodiversity loss, climate change, and pollution. Amid these challenges, we must remain grounded in what unites us all, because we are truly stronger together.

Congratulations once again!

@AWF_Official is also excited to usher in the 2025 cohort of the Charles R. Wall Youth Leadership Program this coming March. So, stay tuned for details and announcements on those who have been selected to join the next wave of African conservation leaders.

[Orlando Pirates @orlandopirates]

☠️ FT | @orlandopirates 3- 0 @Stadedabidjan

The Buccaneers climb to the summit in Group C after a clinical performance!

⚫️⚪️🔴⭐️
#MatchDay
#TotalEnergiesCAFCL
#OrlandoPirates
#OnceAlways

[Simangele Msweli-Ratsoana 🇿🇦🇰🇪 @MsweliSimangele]

We are building conservation leaders of all ages!

[AWF @AWF_Official]

🎄This holiday season, as you gather with loved ones, help us spread the word about an incredible opportunity for young conservationists in Kenya!

We are looking for Kenyan Form 2 students with a passion for conservation and a vision to make a lasting impact in their communities.

Apply for the 2024 AWF Young Conservation Champions Scholarship! 💡

📚 This scholarship offers:

✅ Fully funded secondary education for three years, covering tuition, books, stationery, uniforms, and travel.

✅ Personalized mentorship programs during school holidays.

✅ Seed funding to launch small community conservation projects.

📍 Who Can Apply?

Must be a Form 2 student in a Kenyan public secondary school in 2025.

Live within 10km of the Tsavo Conservation Area (Tana River, Kwale, Kilifi, Kitui, Makueni, Taita Taveta, or Kajiado counties).

Achieved 250+ marks in KCPE and have strong academic records.

Active in conservation activities (e.g., environmental or wildlife clubs).

Not receiving other scholarships.

Supported by Bob King and Emmy King, this initiative is implemented by @AWF_Official and @wck1968 to empower the next generation of conservation leaders in Kenya’s largest conservation area, the Tsavo Landscape.

📩 Apply now through this link https://t.co/Pbf9Ba7p59 and be part of a dynamic movement dedicated to wildlife and ecosystem conservation.

Read more about the scholarship here - https://t.co/QcmeygHwKK

[Simangele Msweli-Ratsoana 🇿🇦🇰🇪 @MsweliSimangele]

As the 2024 cohort complete their placements at different organisations and complete their participation at policy making conferences, we are opening the door for the 2025 Fellows. Learn more and apply here: https://t.co/c9FSiZXll6

[AWF @AWF_Official]

Are YOU the next African conservation leader?

African youth are driving environmental change—championing biodiversity, shaping bold policies, and building resilient futures! Now it’s your turn to take center stage. The AWF Charles R. Wall Youth Leadership Program is here to support and empower young professionals just like you.

We’re recruiting 30 young African changemakers for the 2025 cohort:

1) Policy Fellows (15): Join the Charles R. Wall Young African Policy Fellows initiative, in partnership with @UNEP, to influence international biodiversity governance.

2) Conservation Leadership & Management Fellows (15): Strengthen your personal, team, and organizational leadership skills for on-the-ground conservation impact.

Apply now, and become part of a community that’s shaping the future of environmental policy and action in Africa.

Are you 🫵 ready to lead the charge?
Learn more and apply here 👉https://t.co/AqKC9QZU1s

Tag a friend who should see this!

@MsweliSimangele, @Fred_K_Kumah, @AWFCEO

[AWF @AWF_Official]

Following the conclusion of the UN Biodiversity #cop16cali, @AWF_Official's statement reaffirms our commitment to leading transformative, African-led biodiversity action. This pivotal conference in Cali, Colombia, delivered critical dialogues and commitments, yet as we’ve emphasized, words must translate into impactful, on-the-ground results.

The statement highlights the pressing need for #sustainable, #inclusive financing to support #nature and #communities across #Africa. Achieving the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework goals, particularly #Target19, depends on securing equitable financial flows that empower conservation efforts continent-wide. AWF calls for African ownership of conservation funding, enabling nations to prioritize solutions tailored to their unique biodiversity challenges and strengths.

We also advocate for a collaborative approach to #conservation—one that unites governments, local communities, and organizations like ours to safeguard Africa’s natural heritage.
Protecting our #ecosystems goes beyond policy; it’s about investing in the resilience and prosperity of Africa’s people and wildlife.

As we move forward from #COP16, we at @AWF_Official remain committed to ensuring that Africa’s biodiversity thrives for upcoming generations. Read the full statement here 👉 https://t.co/RdAz2sl8kU

[AWF @AWF_Official]

The @UNFCCC Climate Change #COP29Baku started on a high note, with delegates reiterating the urgency to act and emphasizing that the effects of #ClimateChange are not a thing of the future; they are being felt in the present across the world, from the floods, fires and other catastrophes that are being felt by millions. High on the agenda of this #COP29Azerbaijan is the New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG) for #climatefinance.

The @AWF_Official  delegation is on-site to engage with like-minded governments and organizations to remind delegates that Africa, its people, and its biodiversity are a key part of the Solution.

Today, we convened a side event attended by young delegates as well as representatives of the East African Community and the Africa Group of Negotiators on Biodiversity to reflect on how #African youth are already innovating across strategic sectors to address the #climatecrisis and share some of the challenges they face and opportunities they see for scaling up their efforts.

It was clear from the event that the climate crisis is multifaceted, and hence, the solutions are equally many at various levels.

Now, more than ever, it’s crucial to rally behind initiatives that foster resilient ecosystems and support those at the forefront of #climateinnovation.

Discover how AWF is building resilience for both wildlife and communities across #Africa here - https://t.co/iKsq5juAqb

@CollinsShava, @AWFCEO, @MsweliSimangele, @Fred_K_Kumah

[ICPAC @IGAD_CPAC]

🌍 @AWF_Official side event showcased young leaders advocating for unified strategies in tackling #climatechange and #biodiversity loss, highlighting a holistic approach to sustainability. 3/3 #YouthClimateAction

[AWF @AWF_Official]

As the sun sets for the 29th UNFCCC UN COP, with delegates beginning to leave and draft decisions either getting advanced or deferred to future meetings, so is our engagement coming to an end.

Yesterday, we wrapped up our #SideEvents at #COP29. In the spirit of Championing the From Cali to Baku agenda for #BiodiversityLoss and #ClimateChange to be addressed in tandem alongside APAD and WWF, we cohosted a side event on developing Climate Resilient, Protected, and Conserved areas for a nature-positive future.

In the end, it was clear that Protected and Conserved Areas are a solution to Climate and hence, the successful implementation of the #ParisAgreement , as well as the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, needs us to secure these areas.

For Climate Resilient Protected and Conserved Areas to continue serving their critical role, we need: Committed leadership, National Strategies and Plans, Legal frameworks, Resource Mobilization, Transboundary approach, research, community livelihoods, youth engagement, #IPLC engagement, Institutional and governance structures, #capacitybuilding and Partnerships.

As we close our engagements here, we continue to carry the torch for policies, research, and practice that deliver for #Africa and its people.

#Africanleadership #AfricanConservation

[Simangele Msweli-Ratsoana 🇿🇦🇰🇪 @MsweliSimangele]

Did you miss the High Level Opening Ceremony of @UNBiodiversity COP16? Here are key messages from the speeches of: The president of Colombia, the UN Secretary General, Chinese Minister of Ecology and Environment and Colombian Minister of the Environment: https://t.co/SfOmJjEQiq

[UN Biodiversity @UNBiodiversity]

The ceremonial opening of #COP16Colombia, under the theme #PeaceWithNature, took place in Cali, setting a hopeful tone for the next two weeks.

Missed the opening? Watch the full event here: https://t.co/CGPKVQEKgs

Join the conversation and stay updated: https://t.co/YiYREZIXpY

[Simangele Msweli-Ratsoana 🇿🇦🇰🇪 @MsweliSimangele]

Cry the Beloved Country 😢

[Kim Heller @kimheller3]

This is Christoffel Stoman

He ran over the little boy, breaking both of his legs on Friday last week after accusing him of stealing an orange from his farm - South Africa 💔

Source: News24

[Simangele Msweli-Ratsoana 🇿🇦🇰🇪 @MsweliSimangele]

@Our_DA Aybo DA! Are you low-key championing cheap labour 🤔

[South African Youth Biodiversity Network @SAYBN_CBD]

🌍✨Join Our Webinar: From Global Policy to Local Action 🌱

SAYBN, in collaboration with @AWF_Official & @GYBN_CBD, kicks off the “From Policy to Action”

#FromPolicyToAction #YouthInBiodiversity #KMGBF #NBSAP #YouthConservation

[AWF @AWF_Official]

At the Global Landscapes Forum 2024, hosted by CIFOR-ICRAF, AWF’s @MsweliSimangele highlighted the pivotal role of #African youth in addressing #biodiversityloss, #climatechange, and #landdegradation. In her powerful opening remarks, she emphasized that with 70% of Africa's population being youth, their meaningful engagement is essential for a sustainable future. She also called for a whole-of-society approach, stressing the importance of investing in youth-led initiatives, strengthening networks, and empowering young people to take action.

AWF is proud to support these efforts through various programs that inspire, invest in, and enhance youth capacity for environmental action. #Youth are not just participants but key drivers in the journey towards a sustainable future. We’re thankful for platforms like #GLFAfrica that amplify youth voices and foster collaboration to tackle global challenges.

#GLFAfrica2024 #YouthForNature #SustainableFuture @AWF_Official

#Africanleadership #AfricanConservation