[IYRPsupportgroup] Nomination of Dr Igshaan Samuels as co-chair of IYRP GCG

[Ann Waters-Bayer]

Dear Maryam, 

Thanks for the call for nominations for co-chair of the IYRP GCG. I would like to nominate Dr Igshaan Samnuels from South Africa as your co-chair.

Igshaan is a researcher on rangeland ecology and management for the Agricultural Research Council (ARC) in South Africa. He holds a PhD in Botany from the University of Cape Town and has worked in arid agricultural landscapes for 19 years. His research puts him in touch with grassroots activities and the challenges of pastoralists, particularly the indigenous Nama peoples of South Africa. He is the current president of the Grassland Society of Southern Africa (GSSA), having served in this position and other GSSA portfolios previously. He is also on the International Rangeland Congress (IRC) Continuing Committee representing Africa south of the Sahara. Furthermore, he is part of the core leadership team of the IYRP RISG for Eastern and Southern Africa and a member of the IYRP GCG. He has been involved in policy development at both local and national level in South Africa and is currently leading the development of the country’s rangeland management strategy. 

I have been working closely with Igshaan during the awareness-raising and advocacy activities leading up to the approval of the IYRP 2026. He has devoted a great deal of time to these activities and has been utterly reliable when we agreed on shared tasks. I can assure you 100%, Maryam: you will be able to depend on Igshaan in sharing the co-chair tasks!

I asked Igshaan about his willingness to take on the co-chair position. He discussed it with his family and with his manager in ARC, as he is aware that the tasks will take some time away from his other professional duties and his personal life. All have supported the idea that he take on the co-chair position. He has therefore agreed to accept this nomination.

In my view, he would provide a perfect balance for you, Maryam, in co-chairing the GCG.

Cheers,
Ann

Dr Ann Waters-Bayer
Agrecol Association for AgriCulture & Ecology
Coalition of European Lobbies for Eastern African Pastoralism (CELEP)
International Year of Rangelands & Pastoralists (IYRP2026) Global Coordination Group
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