By Roseiro Mário Moreira
Nine Mozambican professionals, including journalists, science communicators, and information, communication, and knowledge management focal points, have declared their readiness to collaborate with the Southern African Development Community (SADC) in promoting sustainable transboundary natural resources management across southern Africa. These professionals, recognizing their pivotal role as influencers and social transformers in economic development, made this commitment following a recent induction training organized by the Centre for Coordination of Agricultural Research and Development for Southern Africa (CCARDESA), a SADC subsidiary.
The training conducted under CCARDESA’S GIZ Funded Climate Resilient and Natural Resources Management (C-NRM) Project, held from August 8th to 9th, 2024, in Tchumene 2, Matola, in Maputo Province, took the form of a "Media Knowledge Sharing Retreat." It aimed to equip these communicators with the skills to effectively report on sustainable transboundary natural resources management practices. A SADC Technical Advisor/Consultant, Mr. Nunes Mazivila, for Transboundary Conservation Areas (TFCAs), supported by the Information Technology Officer (ICT), Ms. Kopo Letsebe from CCARDESA, conducted these sessions in English and Portuguese.
The comprehensive training sessions provided the participants with relevant information and practical evidence, enabling them to convey messages grounded in national, regional, and international legal frameworks – often underreported and poorly understood by the general public. CCARDESA's Information Technology Officer also guided the participants in drafting their first news articles, drawing from the consultant’s insightful presentations. APPSA Finance Officer, Mr Simbarashe Mutamiri, was also part of the CCARDESA Delegation.
This training has significantly bolstered the capabilities of Mozambican Journalists, including critical news content creators and opinion leaders from various media outlets such as IMPERDÍVEL Magazine, SAVANA Newspaper, Moçambique Newspaper, and COMPCAC.EDITORA, SOICO, IDOLO Magazine, CANAL DE MOÇAMBIQUE, TORRENEWS, and TVM-Maputo. These professionals are now better prepared to generate and disseminate content on TFCAs in both English and Portuguese, thus supporting CCARDESA’s communication and information platforms.
Following the training, these journalists and science communicators are expected to engage more consistently in writing and reporting on issues related to TFCAs, with a particular focus on Mozambique. Their enhanced skills will allow them to raise public awareness and deepen understanding of this critical issue, which many local communities underappreciate.
Mr. Belodêncio Nhabinde, from ÍDOLO Magazine, expressed his enthusiasm about the training: "I am very pleased to have participated in the SADC training on transboundary natural resources management. There are still significant challenges in Mozambique regarding environmental protection. Still, as a journalist, I want to share the importance of conservation areas in Mozambique and the broader Southern African."
Mr. Edmilson Lambo, from SOICO, echoed this sentiment, "We are grateful for CCARDESA's initiative. Journalists often lack specific knowledge on the subjects they cover, making such training essential for us to speak with authority on the facts. We gained valuable insights into transboundary conservation areas in SADC, which are innovative and necessary for preserving the region’s natural resources. Addressing policy cooperation, financing, and community inclusion is crucial for these areas to reach their full potential. With coordinated efforts and a long-term vision, SADC can transform these conservation areas into sustainable models that protect biodiversity while promoting socio-economic development." He said.
Ms. Aina Puetua, a Correspondent for TORRE NEWS from COMPCAC.EDITORA expressed her readiness to contribute to CCARDESA’s goals: "I am now well-equipped to make a difference and support the preservation of TFCAS through communication, particularly at the community level," said the youngest member of the newly formed team of communicators.
Mr. Carlos Filimone and Mr. Américo Humulane have pledged to support the media trained in TFCAs in operationalizing the action plans and all the commitments agreed upon. Both serve as the Information, Communication, and Knowledge Management Focal Points for CCARDESA at the Institute of Agricultural Research of Mozambique (IIAM).
Eng. Carlos Filimone confidently stated, "We have a positive assessment of this training. The journalists are now equipped with the concepts related to SADC’s transboundary conservation areas, including the challenges in protecting and preserving biodiversity. They are prepared to inform and educate the Mozambican community on these important issues."
Similarly, Eng. Américo Humulane emphasized the significance of the training: "This initiative was crucial for strengthening the capabilities of journalists and focal points to address and disseminate information on the challenges of managing and conserving ecosystems that span multiple countries. The training also reinforced IIAM’s capacity to disseminate information on natural resources management, aligning with our institutional mission."
As the Media Training concluded, the communicators reaffirmed their commitment to using their platforms to empower stakeholders involved in transboundary conservation areas and encourage the widespread adoption of sustainable practices.
The author represents IMPERDÍVEL and COMPCAC.EDITORA and he was nominated to coordinate the continued collaboration among communicators and journalists to sustain these efforts and institutional connections. (Photos: courtesy of CCARDESA)
Roseiro Mário Moreira is a Mozambican Diplomat, Environmentalist and Communicator by training. With a Master’s Degree in Environment and Development, he is a Writer and Communication Science Columnist now publishing in several Magazines, Newspapers, and online Mídia in Mozambique, including IMPERDIVEL, ÍDOLO, and COMPCAC.EDITORA, DIÁRIO DA ZAMBÉZIA and TORRENEWS.
