Martin was born into an apartheid South Africa where he had few opportunities, restricted rights, and a limited future. He grew up in a rural part of the Underberg in Kwa-Zulu Natal, connecting with nature from a young age. Martin’s father passed away when he was young, so as the oldest of eight siblings, he needed to provide for his family. With mounting pressure, Martin went and enlisted in the 111th Battalion, where he fought for a country that didn’t recognize him as a complete citizen.

When Martin came out of the military, he took his skills and started training field rangers. With a rise in the 90’s of poaching throughout Africa, Martin brought his military training into the world of conservation. Martin fully believed that the future of Africa’s wildlife belonged to the local people, who require the necessary skills to protect it. He explained that there had to be ownership and direct benefit for the people living in close proximity to wildlife, in order for that precious wildlife to survive. 

In 2014, Martin tragically passed away – the impetus for starting the Global Conservation Corps. Martin left a massive hole with his passing, and our mission was to ensure more and more young people received access to training, not only to field ranger training, but to all conservation careers. Martin always preached that poaching is not a wildlife issue-it’s a human issue. It’s a symptom of a much bigger human condition that we find ourselves in, and we humbly strive to continue realizing Martin’s mission through our work.

During the early days of GCC’s growth, we formed a deep friendship with the Head of Security at the Timbavati Private Nature Reserve, Anton Mzimba. During time together in the field, Anton lamented that his own children did not see wildlife, exposing the GCC team to a deep reality for many youth bordering Kruger. With Anton’s encouragement, we conducted surveys in 2017 and uncovered that four out of five youth growing up next to central Kruger Park had never seen wildlife. Through Anton’s guidance, we founded the Future Rangers Program, to ensure the next generation of conservationists would grow up connected to nature. 

Prior to working in the conservation sector, Anton was a teacher, and supported GCC as we entered the world of conservation education. Above all else, Anton encouraged field trips and immersive learning experiences, so that children could tangibly connect with nature firsthand. Throughout our journey, Anton gave our program feedback and guidance, helping form the foundation of who we are today. And while Anton is no longer with us in person, his spirit lives on in the impact we create in his name.