South African National Parks (SANParks) hosted two community governance workshops during the month of October with various community leadership structures from across the Greater Addo-Amathole Biodiversity Economy Node (GAA BEN). The first group included communal property associations (CPAs) and community trusts from 5 to 9 October 2026 at Graham Hotel in Makhanda (formerly Grahamstown), followed by traditional councils from 07 – 09 October at the Steve Biko Centre in Qonce (formerly King Williams Town).

The inaugural Oppenheimer Research Chair in Conservation in a Changing Climate Award has been awarded to Professor Wendy Foden for a five-year term. Professor Foden is a Specialist Scientist in Climate Change at SANParks, an Extraordinary Professor at Stellenbosch University’s School for Climate Studies, and Chair of the IUCN Species Survival Commission’s Climate Change Specialist Group. 

South African National Parks (SANParks) in the Frontier Region hosted its Regional Awards in Graaff-Reinet on Thursday 5 November 2026. This annual awards ceremony recognises employees who demonstrated outstanding performance, dedication and commitment to conservation and service excellence in the previous financial year.

South Africa will host the 2026 Southern African Development Community (SADC) Transfrontier Conservation Areas (TFCA) Annual Network Meeting from 10 to 12 November 2026 at the Nombolo Mdhluli Conference Centre in Skukuza Rest Camp, within the Kruger National Park.