Sibusiso Vilane stands up for Rhino

An event held at King Shaka International Airport on Monday the 23rd of June, saw the unveiling of the 15thrhino sculpture in the ‘Rhino Parade’ campaign. The Wildland’s Rhino Parade is an innovative fundraising campaign based on the internationally renowned Cow Parade concept. The campaign seeks to raise funding for, and increase awareness around the war on rhino poaching by getting truly great South African’s to adopt and help design a ¾ life size black rhino sculpture.

The sculpture unveiled on Monday was that of inspirational mountaineer, expedition guide and motivational speaker, Sibusiso Vilane. In 2005 Vilane became the first black person to summit Mount Everest from both sides. He then embarked on the Seven Summits Quest, which involves climbing the highest mountain on each continent, and was also the first black person to achieve this. Since his first ascent of Kilimanjaro in 1999, Sibusiso has summited that mountain 14 times, twelve of which have been guiding trips.  Vilane has also run and completed 4 Comrades Marathons. He is truly inspirational.

“We are all born to win,” said Vilane. “I am inspired by all who strive for greatness regardless of their background. My favourite quote (and something I try live by) is by Zig Zigler – You can have everything in life you want if you can help as many people as possible to get what they want,” – said Vilane. Sibusiso is a selfless man that not only achieves great things, but inspires and helps others to dream big and achieve their dreams. Vilane has achieved what most considered impossible, and he hopes to contribute to the anti-poaching cause in a similar way – we CAN win this fight. “The Rhino poaching in our country is devastating; we must all come together, unite and fight to save our precious animals. If we work together to fight this challenge, then we can indeed save the Rhino for our future generations,” said Vilane.

“Sibusiso is a truly inspirational chap,” said Elizabeth-Ann Ross who designed Sibusiso’s rhino sculpture. “His open arms and broad smile tell you that he is a giver and wants the best for all who surround him. He has come from a very humble background and made a name for himself; not because he wanted to be rich and famous, but so that he could change the lives of others for the better. The climbing rope made into traditional-type jewellery on the sculpture, symbolises the protection of the horn, as it protects mountaineers, like Sibusiso, from falling on treacherous mountains,” commented Ross.

Wildlands Conservation Trust (the custodians of the Rhino Parade campaign) CEO, Dr Andrew Venter, was truly blown away by the contribution made by Vilane, as well as ACSA to the trusts conservation efforts. “We need more donors like King Shaka Airport that donate towards our conservation projects, especially for rhino,” said Dr Venter. “Unfortunately rhino poaching has become a stale topic for the media and public alike and we need to make it current again. It is more relevant now than ever, with statistics climbing daily.”

King Shaka International Airport has supported the Rhino Parade since 2012, not only through donations but also by “babysitting” these interesting sculptures in the terminal building. Colin Naidoo, Communications & Brand Manager at ACSA, said “We are very passionate about doing our part in protecting this critically endangered species. It is also an honour to be associated with such inspirational individuals like Sibusiso Vilane and also stand by his statement in us needing to UNITE to win this fight against poachers. We believe that the airport is a great platform to showcase the sculptures and send out a strong message about the protection of these magnificent animals”

Unilever, in partnership with Wildlands, delivers health & well-being to its consumers through a unique barter model

Durban – Unilever SA is teaming up with the Wildlands Conservation trust to provide ‘green-preneurs’ with access to nutrition and hygiene packs, as part of the company’s goal of improving the livelihoods of consumers who use its products.

The initiative forms part of the broader Unilever Sustainable Living plan, with specific and measurable targets for 2020. The company is committed to double its business, whilst halving environmental impact and increasing  positive social impact.  Pamela Stander, Unilever Sustainability Lead for Africa stated that “It is through these collaborative initiatives, closely linked to our Unilever Sustainable Living plan, that we deliver a brighter future for South African communities”

The Wildlands Conservation Trust is a non-profit organisation that promotes ‘green-preneurship’ by enabling disadvantaged communities to collect recyclable waste and grow trees, which they then barter for livelihood support items such as groceries, bicycles, Jojo tanks, building materials and school fees.

As part of the initiative, Unilever provides Wildlands with access to health and hygiene packs, which green-preneurs barter for collected waste and indigenous trees. The packs contain some of Unilever’s most popular products, such as Sunlight Laundry Bar, Knorrox, Lifebuoy Soap, Domestos, Rama, Pedsodent and Vaseline. One pack can be bartered for 70 kg’s of recyclable plastic, or between 20 to 40 indigenous trees grown (size dependant).

“Wildlands do not ‘hand out’ livelihood support items,” said Wildland’s CEO Dr Andrew Venter, “we promote entrepreneurship with our barter – reward model based on national greening activities. When partners like Unilever come forward with items that can add value to the lives of our hard working green-preneurs, we are extremely appreciative and grateful.”

The first handover of packs took place on Friday 16th May in the Haniville community in KwaZulu Natal. Over 60 community members turned out for the day, many of whom who were previously unemployed, but are now able to support themselves and their families through the waste collection programme.

A local Tree-preneur, Thembisile Shange, expressed her excitement after receiving three hampers to the value of R649.25 – “I feel so blessed to receive these hampers, thanks to Wildlands and Unilever for making it possible. I really hope that this project does not end but continues to change the lives of people like me.”

At the handover, members of the Unilever Future Leaders Program (the company’s graduate development programme) provided training on how to use the products contained in the health and hygiene packs more effectively, such as the five key occasions of when to use Lifebuoy Hygiene Soap, how to plant Rajah Reel Gardening Seed Strips and the nutritional benefits of Rama margarine.

UFLP project member, Andrzej Ogonowski stated that “the project is a win-win for Unilever, as it not only helps us achieve our Unilever Sustainable Living Plan ambition of improving livelihoods, but also provides a new way to get our product into the hands of consumers who haven’t had access to these products before. The unique bartering mechanic of the waste-collection and tree growing programs enables this.”

In terms of the future of the project, Ogonowski highlighted the importance of aligning Unilever’s business and sustainability objectives, saying that “when a project helps not only from a sustainability standpoint, but also provides a growth opportunity, there  is inevitably going to be more interest and support. This is going to help us in our objectives of growing the project to over 5 000 packs this year, and ultimately making it a sustainable project that can continue to run for years to come.”