Bonitas Radox iMfolozi MTB Challenge raises over R300k

A partnership between the Wildlands Conservation Trust, Thanda Private Game Reserve and Nelson Mandela Square, has inspired the combination of a unique fund raising event with the implementation of a project to improve the security of the rhino at Thanda Private Game Reserve and the associated Mduna Royal Reserve in Zululand, KwaZulu-Natal.  The eighth Bonitas Radox iMfolozi MTB Challenge presented by Mondi in 2012 raised more than R300k for conservation efforts in the iMfolozi Game Reserve. The funds are used to support Wild Dog management and anti-poaching activities in the reserve. The Challenge, organised by the Wildlands Conservation Trust presents approximately 300 riders with the unique annual challenge of riding through big five territory, through the oldest proclaimed game reserve in South Africa. The event was once again supported by Bonitas, with new sponsor Radox joining the fold this year.

Conditions were ideal, with a slight wind keeping temperatures comfortable, allowing the 300 odd riders to cover the 57 km route while experiencing sightings of Buffalo, White Rhino and Elephant, and other wildlife common to the region. This event has never been seen as a race, and participants were actually encouraged to extend the ride and enjoy the privilege of riding in a wilderness area. A month before the event, riders are briefed by Impi Concept Events, the partner organiser, on how to ride in dangerous game country.

The Bonitas Radox iMfolozi MTB Challenge holds to the philosophy of all Wild Series events, raising much-needed funds for the conservation efforts in the reserve where the event is held. The Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park is one of the most important reserves in the country for Wild Dog conservation, and these funds are used for collaring the different packs of dogs and supporting the monitoring expenses of the staff. The need for additional support of the anti-poaching units in the reserve is obvious, as the Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park has been hard hit by rhino poachers in the past few months. The funds will support improved equipment to allow the field rangers to perform their anti-poaching activities more efficiently.

With the reserve’s status as a hub for both Wild Dog and Rhino populations, the Bonitas Radox iMfolozi MTB Challenge makes a crucial contribution to their conservation. Wildlands would once again like to highlight the extraordinary efforts of Guy Murray of Container Conversions, who managed to raise more than R15, 000 for Wild Dog conservation. Dr Andrew Venter, CEO of Wildlands handed over a Jan Kotzé painting of Wild Dogs to Murray after the event, as a small token of appreciation.

Wildlands also launched a new conservation project at the event, partnering with Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife to fund a Rhino Intelligence and Prosecutions Project. The project will deal with all rhino poaching related incidents in and around Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park. It will ensure intelligence is collected, and help to apprehend and prosecute poachers. Says Dr Andrew Venter: “Wildlands would like to thank the sponsors of the event, all the Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife staff who made the event run smoothly and safely, and all the participants. Their support and funds are making a significant contribution to the security of South Africa’s natural heritage.”

A role model in his community at only 17 years old

17 year old Mabutho Martin Khoza, a Wildlands’ Green-preneur from Mzimela, was recognised as KZN’s Best Emerging Entrepreneur – Youth in Business, at the 4th Inheritor’s Community Achievement Awards held on the 2nd of August at the uMsunduse City Hall in Pietermaritzburg late last week.

Green-preneurs is a collective term used by Wildlands to describe community members that grow trees and food (tree-preneurs and food-preneurs) and collect waste (waste-preneurs), to then barter what they have grown or collected for food, education, building supplies or bicycles, for example.

The Inheritor’s Community Achievement Awards, popularly known as “INDONDO” Awards is described by Cllr Jabu Ngubo as “the ultimate community legacy recognition awards dedicated to the recognition of  organisations, partnerships, networks, groups, agencies, groups and individuals and neighbourhoods that inspire, educate and empower communities”. The Inheritor’s Awards is the only community wide grassroot project which provides recognition to all walks of life, from a car guard to an astronomy professor with a heart for community development.

Khoza was chosen based on his passion for and commitment to the environment, and the sustainable community projects he has developed within his community.  “After 4 years of being involved in this project I feel so happy being recognised for my work,” exclaims Khoza. “I would especially like to thank Zakhele Ngcobo as he is the hard working young man from Wildlands that has taken this project to such a high level, and because of him we have seen a change in our community and we realise how important the environment is. My school are also happy and I hope to show other children like me to appreciate the environment.”

Zakhele Ngcobo, Strategic Manager at Wildlands Conservation Trust was bursting with pride when interviewed about the young Tree-preneur that he has nurtured for more than 4 years, “It makes me happy to see young people like Mabutho getting involved in the Wildlands’ project and being a part of the positive changes in these communities. It warms my heart to see young people learning to look after the environment and helping their communities become environmentally conscious.”

These awards were attended by some other high profile guests and prize winners, including the CEO of Wildlands Dr Andrew Venter, who described the ceremony as “incredible” and CEO of EKZNW (Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife) and Wildlands trustee, Dr Bandile Mkhize. Dr Mkhize received an award for “Best Public Service Delivery, Community Care, Good Governance & Best Practise”, and has been instrumental in the expansion of the Wildlands Tree-preneur activities throughout KZN.