FOR LIONS, MTHETHWA IS ALWAYS READY TO ROAR INTO ACTION

SINCE the age of five, Lesego Mthethwa has been fascinated with lions.

- NICOLA DANIELS

Today at 24, she is a field officer with the Endangered Wildlife Trust's Carnivore Conservation Programme working largely in the Greater Kruger areas of Limpopo and Mpumalanga.

In a world where poaching, wildlife trafficking, and poisoning pose an ever-looming threat to lions, Mthethwa works to support their conservation and ensure their continued protection.

"My parents used to take my sister and I to the Kruger National Park every year during the school holidays, and those trips had a huge impact on me. Being surrounded by wildlife sparked a deep love for lions and nature in general.

"That early connection stayed with me and eventually grew into a passion for conservation, it just felt natural to turn that childhood wonder into a career path focused on protecting the animals and environments I care so deeply about," she said.

"Conservation isn't just about animals, it's about preserving the environment for future generations, promoting coexistence between people and wildlife, and ensuring that natural heritage remains intact," she explained.

Mthethwa, who hails from Mbombela, Mpumalanga, studied a BSc in Biological Sciences, focusing on Zoology and Physiology at the University of North West Potchefstroom Campus.

Her first hands-on experience in carnivore conservation was gained through an internship with the Kevin Richardson Foundation.