Gift Munsaka

My name is Munsaka Gift WM, a young conservationist and Darwin Leader from Zimbabwe. I was born and raised in an area bordering Hwange National Park in the Matebeleland North Province of Zimbabwe, where I continue to live. Through my upbringing, I learned how humans, animals, wildlife, and the environment interact.
My vision is to become an outcome-oriented Development Practitioner, passionate about environmental conservation and the promotion of productive rural and urban development through the sustainable utilization of available human and natural resources. This goal can be achieved through collaborative teamwork within communities and among stakeholders.
This approach contributes to attaining the goals and targets of a sustainable future. As a team player and collaborator with strong practical experience in environmental and community-based development, I aim to engage more actively with stakeholders in these fields. Together, we can develop relevant and objective outcomes to pursue strategic opportunities, achieve collective goals, and implement effective solutions for sustainable conservation and development—ensuring that humans, fauna, and flora continue to coexist.
On April 12th, I travelled to Cape Town, South Africa, in the Western Cape Province to see and learn more about the last existing colony of Cape Vultures in the Potberg Mountains at the De Hoop Nature Reserve.

LOCATION:	Potberg, South Africa	AREA OF STUDY:	Cape Vultures
NATIONALITY:	Zimbabwe	SPONSOR:
FILMMAKER:	Josh Clarke

START DATE:	27th August
END DATE:	2nd September
LOCATION:	Potberg, South Africa
END POINT:	Zimbabwe

AREA OF STUDY:	Cape Vultures
SPONSOR:
FILMMAKER:	Josh Clarke

Area of Study: Conservation of the Cape vulture

In this project Gift focused on the conservation of the Cape Vulture, also known as Cape Griffon or Kolbe’s Vulture, an Old World vulture endemic to Southern Africa. Found across South Africa, Lesotho, Botswana, and northern Namibia, this species faces numerous challenges that have significantly impacted its population.

The Cape Vulture is characterized by its cliff-nesting habit, laying one egg annually, and its wingspan of up to 2.6 meters, making it the second-largest vulture in its family. Historically, these vultures were classified as endangered due to poisoning, electrocution, habitat loss, wind turbine collisions, and illegal trade for cultural practices. Between 1992 and 2007, their numbers in South Africa declined by an estimated 60%–70%, with additional threats from deforestation and intentional carcass poisoning.

Thanks to conservation efforts, the species has been downlisted to vulnerable, signaling a stabilizing population. The Potberg colony in Western Cape Province has become a success story, with 170 breeding pairs, a sharp increase from fewer than 50 in earlier years. Farmers have contributed by creating safe feeding zones, painting wind turbines to prevent collisions, insulating electricity cables, and fencing breeding cliffs. Monitoring advancements, such as tagging, ensure better tracking and protection.

Moving forward, the project emphasizes establishing Vulture Safe Zones, enforcing anti-poisoning measures, promoting education campaigns, and implementing infrastructure safeguards. These steps aim to preserve the Cape Vulture’s ecological role and ensure its survival within a balanced ecosystem.