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Mail & Guardian

Community Development

latest news & developments
Close encounters: As boreholes and waterholes dry up, elephants, lions and people are forced into the same narrow corridors to survive. ZimParks lists Hwange as a hotspot but it does not publish exact death figures or the dollar cost of destroyed crops for the district. The gap is not just data. It is money. Photos: Supplied

Wildlife at the door, survival on the line

On the border of Hwange National Park, local communities are using mobile technology and community ranger networks to prevent deadly human-wildlife conflicts, while awaiting…

A new study co-authored by a University of Pretoria conservation scientist argues that widely cited claims of catastrophic global wildlife decline may overstate biodiversity loss in Africa

Conservation Cannot Succeed If Communities Are Left Behind

Conservation success cannot be measured solely in hectares and wildlife counts. At Babanango Game Reserve, ecological restoration goes hand-in-hand with community empowerment,…

Expanding STEM Opportunities: Four New Science Teaching and Learning Centres Open in the Eden and Central Karoo

Four new Science Teaching and Learning Centres have opened in the Eden and Central Karoo district, boosting hands-on STEM education and teacher training across under-resourced…

Empowering boys, building future leaders

The Empowering the Boychild initiative has hosted its milestone 25th workshop in Alexandra, connecting 50 young boys with prominent community leaders, professionals, and mentors…

Clement Manyathela returns to Vaalbank to open pathways for rural learners

Broadcaster Clement Manyathela has launched a foundation at his former school in Vaalbank, offering psychosocial support, career guidance, and mentorship to empower rural learners.

NWU brings academic expertise together for local development in the Vaal River corridor

North-West University's bhive Enterprise Development Centre is partnering with Pont de Val and regional stakeholders to foster inclusive tourism, practical skills training, and…

From award-winning campaigns to community advocacy, Mo Senne is proving that communication is about more than telling stories. It is about helping people find hope, dignity and a voice

The woman who believes words can change lives

During the Covid-19 pandemic, Mo Senne discovered the true power of communication, transforming it from mere media coverage into a vital tool for connecting those in need with…

The ocean belongs to everyone

Zandile Ndhlovu, known as the "Black Mermaid" and South Africa's first black female certified freediving instructor, is dedicated to reconnecting children and historically…

Edgar Curtis Legoale

For Edgar Curtis Legoale, football is more than a game — it is a catalyst for community transformation. At 35, the founder and chairperson of the Edgar Legoale Foundation has…

Müminah Cornelius

Some waves leave more than footprints in the sand — they change lives. At 23, Müminah Cornelius is helping children discover confidence, resilience and hope through the healing…

Maureen Phambane

Mining begins with exploration, but its long-term success depends on something far less visible: trust. Maureen Phambane is helping ensure that the search for critical minerals…

Pfarelo Maphangula

At just 23, Pfarelo Maphangula is proving that leadership is measured less by age than by the lives it changes. A teacher, social entrepreneur and community leader, he has built…

Boitumelo Thage

Boitumelo Thage has built a career around a simple but powerful conviction: leadership is measured not by the titles you hold, but by the lives you improve. Whether shaping…

Savannah Cozzi

For Savannah Cozzi, connection is not a soft skill — it is a catalyst for change. Whether she is bringing women together to build professional networks or creating educational…

Advocate Refilwe Manaka

By day, Advocate Refilwe Manaka drafts contracts that shape housing developments. Beyond the office, she is working to build something less tangible but equally important: hope…