From Fear to Advocacy: Mentor Ndlelende Ncube’s Journey to Wildlife Conservation

From Fear to Advocacy: Ndlelende’s Journey to Wildlife Conservation

Growing up in Dete, a wildlife-rich community near Zimbabwe’s Hwange National Park, Ndlelende Ncube’s childhood was marked by stories of the dangers posed by wildlife. “As a young boy, we were told stories… scary stories about wildlife,” he recalls. These were not stories of beauty or fascination but of danger: elephants wiping out fields, lions killing livestock, and people being trampled by elephants. Fear was ingrained in every aspect of daily life.

Elephants, lions, and other animals were viewed not as part of nature’s harmony but as threats. On the way to school, Ndlelende (or Ndlela for short) would often encounter safari vehicles filled with tourists. “We were told they were going to the national park to see the same animals that were scaring us,” he reflects. To Ndlela, these animals were a nightmare, and the idea of people visiting them for leisure was baffling.

A Transformative Experience

One incident that deeply marked Ndlela’s fear was when he and his mother encountered an elephant while walking through a forest path. “I was so scared. What will this elephant do to us?” he recalls. The encounter could have turned tragic, but they managed to pass safely. However, rather than feeling relief, Ndlela was overwhelmed with anger and fear about what could have happened. “What if the elephant trampled me and my mother to death?” he questioned. At the time, he could not fathom why these creatures were allowed to exist so close to his community, causing so much distress. When Ndlela got the opportunity to study out of his rural area he took the chance to get away from the wildlife he feared so much.

A New Opportunity for Change

Years later, in 2004, Ndlela found himself back in a place he had hoped to escape—the very national park he had feared growing up. It was during a time of rampant poaching, with elephants being killed at alarming rates. “At one time, 104 elephants were killed through cyanide poisoning,” he shares. Witnessing the devastation caused by poaching, and seeing the poachers he knew personally either shot or arrested, Ndlela’s perspective began to shift.

“I had mixed feelings, but I volunteered to go and clean up the national park,” he recalls. This experience stirred a deep sadness in him, not just for the animals lost but for the poachers who were once his friends and relatives. The situation was heartbreaking, and it ignited in him the need to find a solution.

The Formation of the Conservation Club

In response to the urgent need for conservation education and a peaceful coexistence between wildlife and local communities, Ndlela and a group of like-minded individuals decided to establish a club dedicated to conservation effort called the Tikobane trust. The initiative, which GSGC supports, began with recruiting 20 girls and 15 boys from the community. Their goal was to educate these youth on the importance of conservation and how local communities could thrive without viewing wildlife as a threat.

“We decided to establish the Tikobane clubs to educate youth about conservation and the importance of living in harmony with wildlife,” Ndlela explains. Through this initiative, these youth would be exposed to the world of wildlife conservation through safaris, mentorship, and learning about the environmental importance of animals.

A Story of Transformation: Melikhaya’s Path

One inspiring example from the club is about Melikhaya, a boy from a family of poachers. Growing up, it was expected that he would follow in his family’s footsteps and continue hunting. However, after participating in the club’s mentorship program, Melikhaya’s perception of wildlife began to change. “One day we visited a conservation area and Melikhaya was so moved he said ‘when I finish school I also want to protect Wildlife’ Melikhaya decided to be a ranger” Ndlela says with pride. Mikaya is currently one of the youngest Wildlife Rangers who has dedicated his life into protecting wildlife in and around Hwange National Park and advocating for conservation.

Shifting Perceptions in the Next Generation

The mentorship program’s impact reaches far beyond Melikhaya. By sharing stories of wildlife, it helps youth understand the importance of coexisting peacefully with animals. “Through stories, they understand why they must coexist peacefully,” Ndlela explains. These lessons have shifted the perception of wildlife from threats to valuable members of the ecosystem.

Ndlela reflects on a moment with his young son while collecting water near their home. Seeing elephants in the distance, his son exclaimed with excitement, “Look at them, they are so beautiful.” The fear that once defined Ndlela’s view of wildlife had transformed into appreciation. He shares, “This is my story, but it can be the story of all youth if they experience wildlife in a peaceful and relaxed way.”

Ndlela’s journey highlights how mentorship and education can reshape perspectives and empower youth to become protectors of wildlife. Clubs like the Tikobane Trust Boys and Girls Club, supported by GSGC, are leading this change, teaching conservation and inspiring youth like Melikhaya to take active roles in preserving nature. Ndlela’s story is a testament to how mentorship fosters a harmonious relationship with the environment, transforming both individual lives and communities.