PRETORIA-(MaraviPost)-The Peace Parks Foundation has appointed Malawi President Peter Mutharika as its patron, according to press statement issued on February 27, 2026.
The foundation says Mutharika’s appointment reflects a shared commitment to the long-term stewardship of southern Africa’s transboundary landscapes, where healthy ecosystems and the communities that depend on them are intrinsically connected.
In recent years, Malawi has strengthened the management of protected areas, including through the Nyika–Vwaza Co-Management Trust (a special purpose vehicle, or SPV), where government, communities, other key stakeholders and Peace Parks share responsibility for sustainable natural resource management and development.
In accepting the invitation, President Mutharika reaffirmed his commitment to regional cooperation and environmental stewardship.
“The Foundation’s commendable work for conservation, alongside the communities who depend on these regions, is truly inspiring,” President Mutharika said. “I am deeply honoured to accept this role.”
Werner Myburgh, CEO of Peace Parks Foundation, said, “We are honoured to welcome President Mutharika as Patron. His support gives weight to the first-of-its-kind co-management model underway in the Nyika–Vwaza landscape. It is unique due to its inclusive governance structure. Communities and local government are usually excluded when it comes to overseeing the management of state protected areas.
“Here, an independent legal entity, founded by the Malawi Government and Peace Parks and accountable for these parks, has brought local community leadership, local government, private sector and independent representatives onto the Board of Trustees to oversee a professional park management team.
“It is exciting to see how park management governance has evolved and adapted to changing times, and we are grateful for President Mutharika’s patronage as this important work continues,” he said.
What is Peace Parks Foundation
Founded in 1997 by President Nelson Mandela, HRH Prince Bernhard of The Netherlands and Dr. Anton Rupert, Peace Parks Foundation is a leading non-profit organisation pioneering conservation at scale across southern Africa.
Working through Transfrontier Conservation Areas that span national borders, Peace Parks reconnects ecosystems, strengthens local economies, and helps secure the natural assets on which communities depend. Its holistic approach focuses on three pillars: conservation at scale, community development, and commercial sustainability, ensuring that protected areas deliver long-term ecological and economic value.
To date, Peace Parks has helped governments protect more than 780,000 km², co-manages parks where wildlife populations have rebounded fivefold, and supports over 500,000 people through nature-based livelihoods each year. With formal government mandates and strong community partnerships, Peace Parks offers a proven model for building resilience for both people and nature across southern Africa’s most iconic landscapes.
The Foundation’s Vision 2050 is to secure 18 fully functional transboundary landscapes spanning 980,000 km², making it one of the world’s largest land-conservation initiatives.