The Eastern Cape Parks & Tourism Agency (ECPTA) CEO, Vuyani Dayimani, participated in the Southern African Wildlife Management Association (SAWMA) Conference 2025, hosted at Mpekweni Beach Resort, Port Alfred, from 31 August to 5 September 2025. The gathering brought together scientists, practitioners and policymakers to share evidence, tools and partnerships that advance wildlife conservation across the region.
In line with ECPTA’s dual mandate of conservation and destination development, Mr Dayimani highlighted how the biodiversity economy creates real opportunities for communities when conservation is paired with tourism, skills and enterprise support. He also noted ECPTA’s ongoing collaboration with researchers and conservation NGOs to strengthen data-driven management in protected areas and across surrounding landscapes.
The 2025 conference programme explored priority themes including the biodiversity economy and communities, genetics in wildlife management, large living landscapes, cause and effect in wildlife management, and emerging technology for conservation topics that align closely with ECPTA’s focus on people-centred conservation and resilient nature-based tourism.
Speaking on the sidelines of the event, Mr Dayimani engaged with Eastern Cape and national partners on opportunities to:
- deepen research-management partnerships in provincial reserves;
- expand community benefit models around protected areas; and
- translate scientific insights into practical management and visitor experiences that support jobs and biodiversity outcomes.
About SAWMA
The Southern African Wildlife Management Association is an independent, non-profit professional body (founded in 1970) that advances wildlife science and management through its journal, annual conference and member community.
