Frans Lesoka

Frans Lesoka has over 20 years of experience in environmental conservation, with a strong focus on community-based natural resource management. He began his career in 2006 as a Nature Conservator with the City of Tshwane municipal nature reserves, where his work included alien invasive plant control, firebreak maintenance, game counts and sable antelope monitoring.

In 2010, he joined South African National Parks as a Cluster Manager in the Biodiversity Social Projects department. In this role, he oversaw rehabilitation projects across Mapungubwe National Park, Marakele National Park, Golden Gate Highlands National Park and the Kruger to Canyons Biosphere Reserve. His work focused on dryland rehabilitation, as well as the recruitment and management of SMMEs. He also managed budgets across four regions and supported a team of six project managers.

Frans joined Conservation South Africa in November 2024 as Senior Programme Manager for the Kruger to Canyons Landscape. He currently oversees all programmes within the landscape, with a continued focus on restoring ecosystems and strengthening community-led conservation.