Mr. Luthando Dziba is a conservationist with extensive leadership experience in the ecology and management of large African mammals. Since April 2023, he has served as Regional Director for East Africa, Madagascar, and the West Indian Ocean at the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS). Previously, he was the Managing Executive for Conservation at South African National Parks (SANParks), where he also briefly served as Acting CEO. Earlier in his career, he managed the Ecosystem Services research area at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), leading a team undertaking pioneering work in biodiversity and ecosystem services, coastal systems, and Earth observation.
Mr. Dziba has served as Advisor to South Africa’s delegations to IPBES plenaries, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), and the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). He brings significant management and oversight experience in large national and international institutions in the conservation sector. Passionate about exploring innovative solutions to conservation challenges, Mr. Dziba works at the intersection of the protection of species and the preservation of the habitats that sustain them, collaborating with partners and communities. He is also active on several international science committees and advisory boards, including as Co-chair of the Multidisciplinary Expert Panel for IPBES, Advisory Board Member of the Global Change Institute at the University of the Witwatersrand, and Member of the Boards of Leadership for Conservation in Africa and WWF Netherlands.
Mr. Luthando Dziba holds a PhD in Rangeland Science from Utah State University (USA), an MSc Agriculture from Fort Hare University (South Africa), and an Executive Development Programme Certificate from Wits University Business School (South Africa).
Staff Position Level: D2
Region: Africa Region
