Botswanas Minister of Environment, Natural Resources and Tourism Dumezweni Mthimkhulu has passed away, on the same week as he was due to address the Africa Tourism Leadership Forum (ATLF) in Gaborone.
Mthimukulu (45) passed away on the evening of September 2, after a battle with cancer. He had been in his position since February this year.
Mthimkhulu was due to deliver a keynote address and participate in a high-level panel discussion at the opening day of the African Continental Free Trade Forum on Tourism, Creatives and Cultural Industries at ATLF on September 4.
While the Ministry has yet to make an official statement on his death, the International Council for Game and Wildlife Conservation (CIC) released a statement mourning the loss.
Minister Mthimkhulu was a passionate advocate for the sustainable use of wildlife resources, playing a crucial role in shaping Botswanas conservation policies. His leadership and vision were not confined to Botswana; he was a respected figure on the global stage, particularly in his forthright defence of sustainable hunting as a legitimate tool for conservation, the CIC said.
