Interview
Five minutes with...
THANDIWE MWEETWA Wildlife Biologist - South Luangwa National Park Who is Thandiwe? I am a 28 year-old wildlife biologist. I was born in a district called Monze in Southern Province.
Briefly tell us about your educational background. I did my primary education at Mazabuka basic school. In 2001, I relocated to Mfuwe where I did my junior secondary school at Yosefee, then proceeded to Saint Monica’s for my senior secondary. I then did an international baccalaureate course, and it lasted for two years. Later I went to Canada, where I studied animal biology at University of British Colombia for four years. Currently, I am studying for my master’s in Wildlife Management at the University of Arizona, USA. What does your job entail? It involves the monitoring of the large carnivore population inside South Luangwa National Park.
Are you doing this for the love of money, or is it out of passion? Hmmm… I think it is passion. I remember in 2002 I made up my mind not to do office work. It’s nice to do the job that I love so much.
In five years’ time, where do you see yourself? I would love to be working in a different part of Zambia where the wildlife eco-system is not so (there needs to be a word here--I think she means “developed.”) A few eco-systems at the moment in Zambia offer opportunities like here in South Luangwa National Park. There is potential in expansion in all those areas for us. Eco-systems like Lavushi-Manda National Park--to see them recovering and animals return.
What has been your career highlight? My career highlight was when I got an award from National Geographic as a 2016 emerging explorer and I spent one week in Washington D.C.
Drawing from your experience, what will you advise to someone who wants to be a naturalist? Firstly, we need more Zambians as conservationists. There are a lot of opportunities in these game areas and it’s a field that is going to be more and more important. My advice to one who wants to be a naturalist? One needs to study hard in sciences and also must have a high tolerance for dust.
22
TRAVEL & LEISURE ZAMBIA
