Zime Khanyile

Zime is from Hlabisa, and her journey in conservation began during an internship with a community conservation partner organisation, where her love for nature and working with people first took root. She joined Wildlife ACT in July 2023, starting as an Intern before growing into her current role as Community Conservation Liaison. She holds qualifications in First Aid, Pangolin conservation, and environmental education, and is currently completing a BA in Community Development.

Based in Hlabisa, Zime is responsible for conducting environmental awareness campaigns across Hlabisa and Zululand, engaging with local leadership, partners, Ambassador Clubs, and schools to inspire the next generation. Her work includes liaising between communities and surrounding protected areas on human-wildlife conflict, educating local youth in computer literacy and CV writing, and running awareness campaigns in schools and communities alongside local traditional leaders.

She finds particular meaning in seeing local youth grow more engaged with nature, and in witnessing the joy of those she works with, including traditional healers, during excursions into the park, where ancient knowledge is shared alongside new conservation insights.

Outside of work, Zime is a bubbly, sociable person who values agricultural farming, music, and caring for others.

“I love working with the youth and being able to help others and inform them with new information. I enjoy seeing the happiness of the people I work with, including traditional healers, when we do excursions inside the park. You can tell from their joy that they love watching and getting new information, and also sharing ancient information with the youth.”