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The Long Run AGM at Tswalu Kalahari Reserve

Tswalu Kalahari Reserve hosted the 2024 annual meeting of The Long Run, from the 28th of October to 1st of November.

Tswalu Kalahari Reserve hosted the 2024 annual meeting of The Long Run, from the 28th of October to 1st of November. The Long Run is a membership organisation that works at the intersection of nature conservation, sustainability and responsible tourism. The Long Run supports a global community of over 70 change-makers, from eco-lodges to tour operators, dedicated to accelerating positive impact through a framework combining Conservation, Community, Culture, and Commerce (The 4Cs).

Rooted in the vision that tourism can create lasting prosperity for people living on a healthy, resilient planet, the theme of this year’s annual Long Run meeting, which convened over 40 member properties and travel businesses, was “Tourism as a force for prosperity, safeguarding and building a better world for future generations”. The theme was inspired by Tswalu’s mission to restore the Kalahari through sustainable conservation, supported by nature-based tourism.

In a shared presentation with the Tswalu Conservation team, Wouter Jordaan and Wendy Panaino, titled “Science-backed conservation – Research and the Tswalu Foundation”, Pumla spoke about how research initiates on the various Oppenheimer properties, such as Tswalu, which form part of OGRC’s research strategy, and touches on various thematic areas of interest. Through access to several properties (Telperion Nature Reserve near Bronkhorstspruit in Mpumalanga, Shangani Holistic Ranch in Zimbabwe, Wakefield Farm near Fort Nottingham in KwaZulu-Natal, and Tswalu Kalahari Reserve near Van Zylsrus in the Northern Cape), the Oppenheimer family is able to support numerous researchers and scientists on the African continent, and beyond. Also speaking on a panel, titled “Connecting with science: How to integrate research for greater influence”, was Eloise Dyer (Borana Lodge, Kenya) and Sean Ingles (Grootbos Private Nature Reserve, Western Cape). The panel was facilitated by Rosie Stubbs (ex Tswalu Kalahari Reserve – Marketing Executive). Pumla Dlamini spoke on the importance of getting good research and science “out of theses” and into the real world. With science communication being one of OGRC’s core pillars, this is something that we have engaged closely with over the years. Working with media and PR partners, OGRC is working to bridge the gap between research and academia, conservation, decision-makers, and the layperson.

  • This story was produced with the assistance of Jive Media Africa, science communication partner to the Oppenheimer Generations Research and Conservation (OGRC).

Yves Vanderhaeghen
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