Gwanda South farmers fight elephant invasions with walkie-talkies

By Jonah B Moyo

Faced with ongoing elephant invasions and poor mobile network coverage, farmers in the Sukwe area in ward 18, Gwanda South, have turned to walkie-talkie radios to quickly alert each other of elephant movements, helping communities respond faster and stay safe during the escalating human-wildlife conflict.

The walkie-talkie system has become a vital early-warning tool, allowing farmers to share real-time information when elephants are spotted near fields or homesteads. Community members say the radios have improved coordination, reduced panic and helped families avoid dangerous encounters, especially at night when elephant movements are most frequent.

In emergency situations such as elephant invasions, delays in communication can be dangerous, forcing the community to rely on radios as the fastest and most dependable way to share information.

Ronny Maphala, a local farmer, said the communication system they are using has proven to be a lifesaver for the community, enabling them to share information quickly and respond effectively to emerging threats.

“We are facing a serious challenge with information sharing and communication in our ward because there is no reliable mobile network coverage. This puts us in great danger, especially during this period of frequent elephant movements.

“Because of this, we have opted to use walkie-talkie radios so that we can share information as quickly as possible and prevent anyone from falling victim to these dangerous animals. Whenever we spot an elephant or its footprints, we immediately use the radios to alert the community so that people can move with caution and avoid sending children into the bush to collect firewood or herd cattle,” he said.

He said the walkie-talkie radios were extensively used last week where an elephant was eventually shot.

“These radios have saved us as a ward. On Saturday night at around 11:00 pm, when one elephant was shot, we relied on the radios to communicate with the community, the councillor and the Parks team, ensuring we did not get lost in the darkness or accidentally move into the path of the elephants.

“When we received information through the radios that elephants were inside Ephias Ndlovu’s farm, we immediately began coordinating and sharing updates using the same radios, as this is the only effective means of communication in our area,” said Maphala.

In an area with little to no mobile network coverage, the walkie-talkie system has become a critical communication lifeline for the Sukwe community. The radios allow instant, real-time sharing of information across farms and villages, enabling quicker responses to elephant sightings and reducing the risk of dangerous encounters.

Their effectiveness has improved coordination, enhanced community safety, and ensured that warnings reach everyone promptly, even at night or during emergencies when mobile phones are unreliable.

The use of these radios goes beyond emergencies, as some community members also rely on them to check on relatives and share information about ward meetings, especially in an area where mobile network coverage is poor or unavailable.

Siphathisiwe Ncube from the Sukwe area said communication remains a major challenge in the community, but the use of walkie-talkie radios has helped bridge the gap.

“Without these radios, we would not have succeeded in responding to the elephant invasions as a community. In the past, when someone found elephants in their field, they had to run to nearby homes to pass on the information verbally, which caused delays and distortion. Now, it is just a push of a button—we can share information with the entire community instantly, and people respond with solutions immediately,” she said.

Gwanda Rural District Council Chairperson, Cllr Mphathiswa Ncube, who is also the Ward 18 councillor, said walkie talkie system is a life saving tool in his ward.

“The use of walkie-talkie radios has greatly improved communication in my Ward. We have poor network coverage and these radios have become a vital tool for quickly sharing information and keeping the community safe.

“Farmers can now alert each other instantly about elephant movements or emergencies, which has reduced delays and allowed us to respond more effectively as leaders and as a community,” Ncube said.

He also added that collectiveness brings positive results.

“This system has shown us that even with limited infrastructure, simple solutions can save lives. The radios have strengthened coordination between farmers, community leaders and the Parks team, especially during emergencies when fast communication is critical,” he said.

“We came up with this solution after realising that our area has poor network connectivity, yet we urgently need to communicate and share information. The walkie-talkie radios were the best option because they are affordable, practical and effective for our situation,” he said.

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