The event was sponsored by CNEI and awards honoured outstanding conservationists and showcased their exceptional contributions to protecting Africa’s natural heritage. “Congratulations to all winners, runners-up, and nominees of the 2023 African Conservation Awards. Your unwavering commitment to the conservation of our wildlife is both commendable and deeply inspiring. I wish to emphasise the pivotal role you each play in safeguarding our continent’s invaluable natural resources.

Your dedication to conservation is instrumental in shaping a brighter and more sustainable future for Africa. It is an honour and privilege for the GRAA to recognise your remarkable achievements,” said Andrew Campbell, CEO of GRAA. The award for best field ranger went to Nkateko Letti Mzimba, the niece of the late Anton Mzimba and a sergeant in The Black Mambas Unit in the Olifants West Nature Reserve.

The first runner-up was Givemore Bako, a senior ranger and head rhino monitor of antipoaching and tracking specialists in the Savé Valley Conservancy in Zimbabwe. The second runner-up was Reginah Smith, corporal of the rhino protection unit at the Pilanesberg Game Reserve. The best game ranger winner was Amos Gwema, principal investigation and security officer at Zimparks. The first runner-up was Petronella Chigumbura, deputy ranger supervisor at Akashinga in Zimbabwe and the second runner-up was Orlat Ndlovu, head of ranger services at Timbavati Private Nature Reserve.

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The best conservation team winner was the Wildlife Action Group Malawi operating in the Thuma Forest Reserve and in the Dedza Salima Escarpment Forest Reserve in Malawi. The first runner-up was the Majete Wildlife Reserve, also in Malawi, and the second runnerup was Zinave National Park in Mozambique. In the best conservation supporter category, the winner was Rhino Man The Movie, dedicated to the late Anton Mzimba.

The first runner-up was Joseph Serugo Ssalongo, an honorary wildlife officer of Uganda, and the second runner-up was the African Pangolin Working Group. “A huge congratulations to all the award winners and the runnersup. Your passion and dedication are an inspiration. Thank you for all that you do to protect our wildlife,” said Campbell.

Best field ranger, Nkateko Letti Mzimba, said she was overjoyed to have won the award. “Being a female ranger is tough, but we do all we can and put all the effort into protecting our animals. We are doing everything to make sure that all the animals are protected for the next generations. I would encourage all women to join because it feels good to know that you have made a difference,” she said.