Strengthening Communities and Protecting Wildlife through Kwandwe Private Game Reserve
IRF serves as a funder, partner, convener, facilitator and trainer for rhino conservation programs through in-country partners and staff to strengthen local rhino conservation efforts, engage people and protect habitats.
Below is a blog written by one of IRF’s grantees, the Kwandwe Private Game Reserve, highlighting the importance of supporting local communities to inspire trust and collaboration on conservation efforts.
Over the past six months, the Kwandwe Private Game Reserve has continued its work through the Kwandwe Joint Rhino Protection Initiative to support the communities bordering Kwandwe Reserve and neighboring Great Fish River Reserve. This collaboration is rooted in a simple but powerful belief: When communities are supported, conservation efforts are strengthened. None of this work would be possible without the continued support of the International Rhino Foundation (IRF), whose commitment enables these initiatives to take shape and grow.
Through ongoing engagement with field workers and community members, several urgent needs were identified. Addressing these challenges has not only improved daily living conditions but has also deepened trust between the reserve and its neighboring communities, which will optimize cooperation on future conservation efforts.
The first and most immediate concern was food security. For some households, going to bed hungry remains a daily reality. Without meeting this most basic need, it becomes nearly impossible to address anything else. In response, the Initiative continued its support of the soup-kitchen program, ensuring that vulnerable individuals — particularly children and young people — receive regular, balanced meals. Beyond nourishment, this effort brings a sense of stability and care to those who need it most.
Running alongside this was a growing concern around community safety, particularly the theft of produce from the community vegetable gardens. These gardens are more than just a food source — they represent independence, dignity and the possibility of self-sufficiency. To help protect this vital resource, the Initiative supported the installation of a camera monitoring system. The impact was immediate. The presence of the camera alone has acted as a deterrent, reducing incidents of theft while also providing a practical tool for investigating cases when they do occur.
At the same time, the area has been grappling with the effects of the recent foot-and-mouth disease outbreak amongst cattle in South Africa, which has had far-reaching consequences across multiple sectors and greatly shifted the needs of the communities supported by the Kwandwe Rhino Protection Initiative grant. The Eastern Cape has experienced a noticeable increase in cases since December 2025, placing significant pressure on livestock-dependent households.
In response, the Initiative worked proactively to help communities prevent infection, manage affected animals when the need arise and improve their ability to respond quickly and effectively.
Control posts were established at key entry points to the entire area (including foot baths for everyone entering the area, spraying of vehicles entering with a suitable disinfectant and application of calcium hydroxide to roads), while infrastructure such as kraals, crushes and camps were put in place to assist with animal handling and care. Fencing was strengthened to limit movement and reduce risk, and community members received practical training on identifying symptoms, preventing spread and reporting suspected cases.
This work reflects a dual focus. On one hand, it protects livelihoods by safeguarding the health of community livestock. On the other, it plays a critical role in protecting wildlife populations, particularly buffalo herds, across neighboring reserves and farms, as an outbreak on any of these properties will negatively impact job security of the community.
Together, these efforts highlight a broader truth: Conservation does not exist in isolation. It is deeply connected to the well-being of the people who live alongside protected areas. With the continued support of IRF, and through strong partnerships on the ground, the Kwandwe Private Game Reserve is able to address immediate needs while building resilience for the future, demonstrating what meaningful, community-centered conservation can look like in practice.