“The blessings we receive are not meant to be kept to ourselves; they are meant to be shared to uplift others.” Dr Jackson Katampi
Childhood Lessons in the African Bush
In the early 1990s, a young boy from Livingstone, the tourist capital of Zambia, sat in the back of a school vehicle, watching the harsh reality of a drought-stricken Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park unfold before his eyes.
Animals were starving. Trees were parched. The land lay in silent suffering. And then, two warthogs, normally lively and quick, struggled to move. One collapsed and died before the young pupils’ eyes.
(Images by GCN Studios)
“I felt completely helpless,” recalls Dr. Katampi. “Watching an animal suffer and knowing there was nothing I could do. That moment planted the seed of my life’s mission—to protect wildlife and conserve the environment.”
It was a moment that would shape not just a career, but a calling.
Rising from Personal Loss
Life tested him further. By age seven, Jackson had lost both parents. Yet he grew up in a community that lived the philosophy: it takes a village to raise a child.
One stranger, Mr. Banda, unknowingly changed the course of his life. After seeing young Jackson sitting by the roadside, unable to pay his school fees, Mr. Banda offered the help that ensured Jackson could return to class.
“To this day, I pray I can be a ‘Mr. Banda’ to another child,” Dr. Katampi shares.
A Career Dedicated to Nature
Dr. Katampi earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Veterinary Medicine from the University of Zambia, opening doors into wildlife conservation.
He worked under the Ministry of Tourism’s Department of National Parks and Wildlife and later joined the Frankfurt Zoological Society on projects supporting sustainable environmental management in Zambia.
Eventually, he returned to Kansanshi Mine as Coordinator for Biodiversity and Mine Site Rehabilitation, bridging the worlds of mining and environmental stewardship.
Pull Quotes for Impact
“Mining companies benefit from natural resources, so they carry the responsibility to protect them.”
“Large-scale mining and biodiversity conservation can coexist if we commit to responsible environmental practices.”
“The blessings we receive are not meant to be kept to ourselves; they are meant to be shared to uplift others.”
Protecting the Land and Communities
Under his leadership, Kansanshi Mine has implemented programs that restore ecosystems and create opportunities for local youth.
- Tree Planting: Over 50,000 trees planted in three planting seasons to restore forest cover.
- Invasive Species Control: Protects native biodiversity and provides green jobs.
- Mine Site Rehabilitation: Restores soil, reintroduces native plant species, and reconstructs habitats for wildlife.
Giving Back: Celebrating Life with Compassion
When celebrating his son Jackson Jr’s first birthday, Dr. Katampi and his family chose to give to those in need. Through the Chakwana Foundation, they donated mattresses, school supplies, and groceries to the Children’s Nest Orphanage in Choma.
“It was more than charity,” he said. “It was an expression of gratitude for the blessings we have received.”
His faith, deeply rooted in Christianity, guides this approach to life.
“As a Christian, I believe that the blessings we receive are meant to be shared. True celebration is acknowledging God’s grace and extending it to those in need,” he explained.
A Life of Values
Dr. Katampi’s guiding principles are clear:
- Stewardship: Caring for the environment for future generations.
- Compassion: Rooted in personal experiences of kindness and loss.
- Integrity: Ensuring responsible decisions in environmental management.
- Community Responsibility: Recognizing the collective role in raising children and protecting nature.
- Faith: Giving life purpose, humility, and gratitude.
Advice to Young Environmentalists
“This field is not just a career; it is a calling,” he says. “You must advocate for ecosystems that cannot speak for themselves. Environmental protection is not optional—it is essential for the well-being of future generations.”
Editor’s Note:
Join me next Friday as I share a full uplifting and emotional with a happy ending to Dr. Jackson Katampi’s life’s journey from a boy witnessing a dying warthog in the drought-stricken bush of Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park to a man restoring ecosystems within one of Africa’s largest mines, Dr. Jackson Katampi embodies resilience, faith, and environmental leadership. His life reminds us that one person, guided by purpose and compassion, can change both nature and community for the better.