New Director for Wildlife Department in Botswana.(6 September, 1996)

Sedia Modise has been appointed the new Director of the Department of Wildlife and National Parks, taking over the post from Sam Rathedi earlier this month.

Modise is the ninth Director since Major Patrick Beconfield was appointed head of the Game Control Unit (as the Department was then known) in 1956. The post has been localized since 1977, with the exception of Nigel Hunter who was director for two years beginning in 1992.

Modise joined the Department as a game scout 20 years ago and worked his way up through the ranks to the post of Deputy Director in 1994. His special interest is in conservation education and many of the developments in the Gaborone Game Reserve in particular are due to his initiative.

Apart from his long experience with wildlife in Botswana, Modise has studied in Tanzania and has travelled to many African countries and abroad to view wildlife projects and represent his nation at wildlife conferences. Wildlife staff in the Maun area congratulated Modise on his new appointment and say they are looking forward to clear direction and decisive leadership from the top. Courtesy of The Okavango Observer.