Clever Kapandura Family Memorial Fund

As the Victoria Falls Community struggles to come to terms with the tragic loss of Clever Kapandura, the Operations Coordinator of the Victoria Falls Anti Poaching Unit (VFAPU), our hearts ache for the family he leaves behind, for the scouts that worked under him, for the wildlife he protected and for the community of Victoria Falls; for we have lost one of the most inspiring, kind, passionate and dedicated souls to have walked the earth and these wild spaces.

Clever, a qualified safari guide, spent most of his life in the African bush, either guiding clients or overseeing the daily operations of VFAPU which he helped establish in 1999. His commitment and dedication to the tourism and conservation sector spanned over 32 years, having been part of the original Wilderness Safaris Zimbabwe team when the company was formed in 1990.

On Friday 8th October 2021, following a report of a possible poaching incident with GPS Coordinates, VFAPU deployed a team of anti-poaching scouts to investigate the scene. Clever, being the passionate and committed leader he was, decided to join the team on the ground to investigate the scene. Whilst following the GPS coordinates, the team noticed an elephant bull a substantial distance away. For some unkown reason, the elephant bull charged from an estimated 120 metres, and the team of three scouts had to split. Despite following all the prescribed evasive action in an elephant charge situation, the animal continued it's charge and sadly intercepted Clever. His fellow scouts managed to scare the elephant off and called for support but by the time the ambulance arrived Clever had succumbed to his injuries.

From the incredible outpouring of grief from the VFAPU team, the Victoria Falls Community, friends and others in the conservation world. we can only hope that he knew collectively we would try and help his family, at least to lessen some of the financial burden his untimely death has brought. As such, we have set up this memorial fund to help his wife and children with costs which they will now have to face alone. We would be so grateful for your support to help Clever's family. It is what he would have so graciously wanted.

On behalf of VFAPU and Clever's family we thank you very much for your contributions.

PLEASE NOTE THAT ANY DONATIONS MADE WILL GO ENTIRELY TO SUPPORT CLEVER'S WIFE AND CHILDREN.