Harare, (New Ziana) — The Board of the Forestry Commission has appointed seasoned conservationist and strategic management expert George Manyumwa as the new director-general, with effect from 15 July 2025. In a statement, the Board expressed confidence in Manyumwa’s leadership, describing him as a dynamic professional with an impressive track record in conservation, sustainable development, and institutional transformation.
“The Forestry Commission Board of Commissioners is excited to announce its appointment of George Manyumwa as the substantive Director-General of the Forestry Commission, effective 15 July 2025. George Manyumwa brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to this new role, boasting over 25 years of experience in strategic management and leadership,” said the statement.
Manyumwa takes the helm with over 25 years of experience spanning both the public and private sectors. Until recently, he served as the Deputy Director-General of the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks), where he was instrumental in implementing turnaround strategies and promoting biodiversity protection.
“We are thrilled to welcome Mr. Manyumwa to lead the Forestry Commission. His strategic vision, combined with deep expertise in conservation and sustainable resource management, aligns perfectly with our mission,” added the statement.
His diverse leadership portfolio includes high-profile roles such as General Manager at Innscor Fast Foods, General Manager at Protea Hotels Namibia, and Group Operations Director for the Rainbow Tourism Group in Zimbabwe and Mozambique.
In each of these roles, he was credited with driving organizational change, improving efficiency, and achieving measurable growth. Manyumwa holds a Master’s degree in Business Administration and a Master Class in Business Management and Leadership from the London Graduate School.
He also possesses numerous certificates from globally recognized institutions, enhancing his credentials in business and environmental governance. Beyond the boardroom, Manyumwa is well-regarded for his advocacy in sustainable conservation and community-led natural resource management. He has also worked as a Carbon Credits consultant, underscoring his commitment to climate action and environmental stewardship.
In welcoming him, the Commission emphasized that Manyumwa’s appointment comes at a pivotal time when Zimbabwe is intensifying efforts to restore degraded forests, curb illegal logging, and balance economic growth with environmental sustainability.
A husband and father of three sons, Manyumwa is expected to champion inclusive policies that benefit both the environment and local communities.
“The Board, management and staff are confident that under Mr. Manyumwa’s leadership, the Forestry Commission will continue to grow as a centre of excellence in forest governance,” the statement read.
Manyumwa’s immediate mandate includes overseeing the sustainable management of Zimbabwe’s forests, scaling up afforestation initiatives, enhancing revenue streams from forest products, and aligning the Commission’s operations with national and global climate goals.
New Ziana
