Africans MUST tell their own stories

I think for many years, this story has not been told from our own views, and from an external lens: Olivia Mufute

African Wildlife Foundation Zimbabwe Country Director, Olivia Mufute, speaking after the week-long Advanced Training on Environmental Journalism in the Modern in Harare, Zimbabwe:

For so long, the conservation story has been told, but not from an African perspective. But even then, mostly through the lens of science and animals.

With less of the African people, cultures, heritage, use, knowledge, aspirations – all as part of conservation. And this is a role we need to reclaim.

First things first, as an African conservation organization, African Wildlife Foundation has been very intentional with cultivating the authentic African voice through storytelling.

This is because storytelling is one of the fundamental aspects of African history and origin.

Long ago, our forefathers and ancestors deeply valued storytelling because it enabled the passing on of traditions, myths, and cultures.

It is this same practice that has been transferred from one generation to the next up to date.