The president and CEO of the National Geographic Society, Gary Knell, was in South Africa recently (in November 2016) to talk about Nat Geo and its continual investment in Africa. For the past 128 years, Nat Geo has been one of the world’s largest science, research and education platforms; documenting the world through television programmes and its magazine.
Since 1888 Nat Geo has funded myriad missions in uncovering and understanding our planet better. “This work is now more important than ever,” says Knell, adding that Nat Geo will increase their grants in Africa. “Tapping into the deep knowledge and curiosity of the African people and creating an ethos of conservation and spreading this across the region,” he says. “There is no place like this continent and this is a place where Nat Geo hopes to create thoughtful analysis and provide a long term contextual view that we can all face,” says Knell.
Knell, who first came to South Africa 22 years ago, and has visited many times since, says he loves the country and the creativity the people here possess. “I wanted to walk you through where National Geographic is today, and maybe inspire you to think in new and different ways,” says Knell.
Nat Geo was founded on the belief that science and exploration can change the world. Overpopulation is causing massive strain today and by 2050 it is expected to exceed nine billion, where Knell says 1.2 billion of that will come from Africa alone.
The society’s role is to assist in funding scientific answers to the threats facing the planet and the people living on it. An NGO, Nat Geo has been one of the leading sponsors of expeditions including famous finds like that of Machu Picchu, the work and welfare done by Jane Goodall, and the discovery by Professor Lee Berger of Homo naledi. Berger, of the Evolutionary Studies Institute at Wits University, was awarded the Rolex National Geographic Explorer of the Year award for his discovery in South Africa.
“We have been able to invest in people like Jane. In taking risks, and investing in people like that, we really have changed the world,” says Knell.
Nat Geo is committed to exploring and protecting our planet, while funding hundreds of research and conservation efforts and “pushing the boundaries of exploration to further understanding of the planet and generate solutions for all.”
To do this, Nat Geo will continue to invest in people and document these journeys. “We’re redefining how explorers are documented,” he adds.
In Africa Nat Geo has awarded more than 2 300 grants totalling $42 million for field work on the continent, and Knell says that they will continue increasing that amount, investing in more people.
Africa projects include the Big Cats Initiative, and the more recent Savage Kingdom, the Okavango Delta project to save Africa’s largest wetland, and Pristine Seas, focusing on saving the planet’s oceans.
“We are working throughout Africa. We want to increase our work in Africa. We want to increase our grant making in Africa,” adds Knell. “This investment architecture at the National Geographic Society is exactly what we trying to do, to create an ethic of conversation, and be able to spread this across the region.”
Through storytelling throughout the Nat Geo platforms they reach millions of people across the globe. Knell gleams that the society’s social media pages are so successful that they may one day surpass the Kardashians. At least Nat Geo carries a message of hope for the planet.
Given the urgency of the climate challenges and population growth and natural species dwindling, this investment in Africa and the world over should be copied and constitute a following that leads to more investment and more life changing journeys.
