Mieke Deyzel

Born and raised in South Africa, Mieke spent a large part of her childhood engaging with the natural environment in Cape Town and the Garden Route. Whether exploring the diversity of rocky pools, taking relaxed walks through Cape Town’s unique vegetation, or trekking through the Karoo landscapes, being outside and near nature brought her peace. Mieke knew from a relatively young age that she wanted to be in a position where she could share her love and passion for nature with others and contribute to the protection of our natural world. She knew that to be able to make a valuable contribution, she needed to understand the dynamics of the natural environment, and this is why she is pursuing a career in conservation biology. 

Mieke completed her undergraduate and Honours degrees in Biodiversity and Conservation Biology at the University of the Western Cape, focusing on landscape ecology in her Honours year. During the final year of her undergraduate degree and her Honours research, she developed a profound liking for GIS, a skill she looks forward to refining during her Masters. Additionally, she encountered topics emphasising the importance of the social aspect of conservation, which particularly sparked her interest. Mieke believes that the success of conservation initiatives requires a balance between environmental and social considerations. She joined the University of Cape Town’s Conservation Biology programme to focus on research into human-wildlife conflicts and how to find a harmonious solution.