BRIGHTON KUMCHEDWA WINS TUSK AWARD FOR CONSERVATION IN AFRICA

We nominated Brighton Kumchedwa for the Tusk Award for Conservation in Africa, and we were over the moon when he was announced as winner this week.

He has worked incredibly hard throughout his 27 year career, starting as a Parks Officer and then working his way up to his current position of DNPW Director. Malawi has made great strides in its fight against serious wildlife crime in the past few years and it is in large part thanks to his progressive and open leadership that much of the new initiatives (e.g. new Wildlife Crime Investigations Unit, new legislation etc) have been possible. He is a highly personable, strategic and dedicated conservationist and has dedicated his life to Malawi’s wildlife.

The Award was presented in Cape Town by Graca Michel in front of 200 delegates including Archbishop Desmond Tutu and former South African President F.W de Clerk. Brighton has also been given $20,000 to spend on a project of his choice, which he is planning to use towards some ranger equipment and sensitisation around protected areas on the new legislation.  Find out more here, watch the video or see more photos.