Month: November 2012

With the current surge in rhino poaching there are many people who have expressed their willingness to help in any shape or form in curbing the crisis. One such group are from Highbury Preparatory School in Hillcrest, and they have turned their eagerness and enthusiasm into action.

Mr Paddy Collins, a teacher at Highbury, recently raised R20 000 (through a Maputaland Trail Run) which he donated to Wildlands on behalf of Highbury School for much needed rhino conservation efforts, on the 31^st of October 2012.

“The only way we are going to make an impact on the current rhino poaching crisis is by all sectors of the general public standing up against the savagery and then acting, exactly the way Highbury School and Mr Collins have,” commented Kevin McCann, Stewardship Manager at Wildlands. “These funds will be directed towards the monitoring of the Rhino on Somkhanda and also towards the management of the reserve, and will significantly assist in securing the Rhino population.”

In 2011 the school (together with Mr Collins) adopted a White Rhino female called “Gijima” at the Somkhanda Game Reserve in Zululand.

In mid-November 2012, 6 students from Highbury and Mr Collins decided to visit their rhino, Gijima, at Somkhanda Game Reserve in Northern Zululand. They got to track the animal (with professionals from Wildlife ACT Fund & Wildlands using the telemetry tracking system) and see their rhino (as “up close and personal” as possible!).

The group spotted a leopard on the trip, but the highlight of their visit was catching a visual of Gijima as well as 2 other adult Rhino – who grazed right in front of them for about 40 minutes – lucky bunch indeed! The next day the group took a walk through the reserve with Paul Cryer and were educated about the often overlooked, small species that inhabit Somkhanda.

“We would like to thank Highbury and Mr Collins for their continued support. It is people like you that are helping us in this fight against poachers,” commented Kevin McCann of Wildlands.

If you would like to Adopt-a-Rhino contact Mark Gerrard on markg@localhost/import-data-post

Golfing great Gary Player, Liverpool legend Kenny Dalglish and singer Brian McFaddan visited the impoverished Osindisweni community in KwaZulu-Natal yesterday, to reward the efforts of community Green-preneurs.

Green-preneurs are community members that are involved in ‘greening’ activities with the Wildlands Conservation Trust, which has networks in more than 35 communities, grows over 600 000 trees and hand-collect over 3 million kilograms of recycled waste annually. The waste and trees are then bartered for bicycles, building materials, food and other livelihood support.

Mr Player raises funds for the Wildlands Conservation Trust through his annual Gary Player Invitational (GPI), presented by Coca-Cola, which takes place at the Zimbali County Club on Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 November and features a star-studded line-up of major golf champions, businessmen and celebrities including Dalglish and McFaddan.

The Osindisweni visit was an opportunity for Mr Player to witness the impact of the Wildlands Green-preneur model. After visiting a local homestead he handed over Coca-Cola bicycles to three top Green-preneurs in the Osindisweni community – Joyce Dlamini, Bongiwe Ntseona and Zandile Zincume. Bongiwe Ntseona is what Wildlands would call a “Super Grower,” having bartered over 3500 trees with Wildlands for a total of 35 bicycles, which she and her children use for transport and sell for income.

“It is a privilege to visit these remarkable ladies at their homes to see what they have done. They barter the trees they grow and the waste they collect for bicycles and other livelihood items. Having a bicycle means their kids can ride to school and can focus their energy on education instead of on the two hour walk to school. They are incredible people who are making a real effort to make things better in our country,” Mr Player said, before grabbing a bicycle and joining Ntseona on a speedy ride over the rough terrain.

The GPI is South Africa’s premier charity sporting event and forms part of an international GPI series, which has raised over R400 million for charities across the globe. It is the second consecutive year that The Player Foundation and Coca-Cola South Africa have chosen the Wildlands Conservation Trust as a charity beneficiary.

The R1 million raised by the GPI for the Wildlands Conservation Trust last year was used to purchase 667 Coca-Cola bicycles from Qhubeka, a South African bicycle charity – 120 of these bicycles were presented to exceptional scholars from the Wildlands communities, 185 were bartered for 18 500 indigenous trees and the balance are being bartered for plastic waste, removing over 404 000kgs of waste from these communities.

“As the world’s largest beverage system, and a company that is at once global and local, Coca-Cola has a unique opportunity to make a positive difference in the communities we serve. We take this opportunity seriously, and know that our company can only be as healthy as the people and communities we strive to refresh,” said Therese Gearhart, Coca-Cola South Africa Business Unit President.

Dr Andrew Venter, Wildands CEO, said it was an honour to be nominated as one of the official charities for the GPI and the funds donated to Wildlands had transformed the lives of hundreds of poor South Africans, inspiring them to improve their lives, clean and green their communities and become cycling ambassadors.

“This would not have been possible without Coca-Cola and Qhubeka, who are equally determined to support the transformation of South Africa’s communities into sustainable, vibrant and healthy communities,” Venter said.

Funds raised by the GPI, including the black-tie auction on Friday 23 November, will be split between the Wildlands Conservation Trust and Wings and Wishes – a charity started by staff at the Coca-Cola Sabco bottling company in Port Elizabeth to collect air-miles to transport critically ill children to receive super-specialist medical care.

The GPI line-up for 2012 includes 9-time Major winner Gary Player, former Ryder Cup captains Sam Torrance and Ian Woosnam, also a Major winner, as well as Champions Tour Major winner Roger Chapman. Celebrities include McFaddan, Dalglish and fellow football legend Sir Ian Wright, as well as Bold and the Beautiful star Jack Wagner and red-headed beauty Angie Everhart who starred alongside Arnold Schwarzenegger in the action-comedy Last Action Hero.

The tournament is open to the public on Saturday November 24 and Sunday November 25. Tickets are R75 a day and available from Computicket. Entry for children under 18, accompanied by an adult, is free. The tournament starts at 10am on Saturday and at 9am on Sunday.

Art for Conservation: The Wildlands Conservation Trust will be hosting an art exhibition at the Mandela Capture site in the Midlands from 20 November until 15 December featuring top local artists and crafters.

The Wildlands Conservation Trust is a dynamic non-profit organisation whose vision “A Sustainable Future for All” is inspired by one of the greatest Statesman of our time, Nelson Mandela, whose vision of – Freedom for All – was regarded by many as unobtainable, yet inspired the transformation of South Africa. This makes the Nelson Mandela Capture Site the perfect venue for Wildlands ‘Art for Conservation Exhibition,’ which was launched yesterday in an inspirational opening ceremony.

“This venue in the Midlands offers a one of a kind iconic sculpture by Marco Cianfanelli depicting a three dimensional view of Mandela’s face made from 50 vertical steel columns, and an informative exhibition specific to the life of Mandela,” commented Wildlands CEO Dr Andrew Venter. “From 20 November to 15 December art from top local artists and crafters will be exhibited, and a percentage of the sales will contribute towards the conservation efforts of the Wildlands Conservation Trust,” he explained.

“Special thanks must go to our key partners around this event including Bonitas Medical Fund, The Sunday Tribune and eThekwini Community Foundation (eCF),” said Venter.

The eCF is a proactive, results-driven, and forward-thinking, not-for-profit public benefit organisation strategically aligned to the eThekwini Municipality whose mission is interfacing people – projects – the planet. ECF discover and create innovative projects that promote collaboration, job creation, sustainability and social entrepreneurship.  The eCF project managed a hugely-successful partnership earlier this year around a unique Rhino Parade rhino called Yenza.  Wildlands and the crafters of eCF see many more collaborative efforts in the future.

The public can look forward to an exhibition featuring phenomenal work representing a full spectrum of arts and crafts. Craft and design organisations, all of whom specialise in community development and up-cycling, include Robin Opperman and Jackie Sewpersad from Umcebo Design;

Magda van der Vloed and her crafters who work in mixed media, and the team from Community resource Centre, Sydenham who work primarily with discarded cool drink bottles.

Individual artists include Anne Cleveland; David Johnson; Everett Duarte; Chrispine Mutsadyanga; Christiane Jamar Varney; Zoe Mair; Jan Kotze; Kathy Jacob; Lieze Meyer; Majorie Jones; Marion Townsend; Maureen Edgcumbe; Mike Nel; Neil Yonker; Sarah Richards; Titia Ballot and Wim Rautenbach.

Wildlands’s Art for Conservation event has run for six years including an Art Exhibition and an Auction Event (the 2012 Gala Dinner and Auction will take place on 29 November at Durban City Hall) with increasing popularity. Furthermore some of the artworks exhibited at the ‘Art for Conservation Exhibition’ have been donated by the artists for the Gala Dinner and Auction, and these will help raise significant funds for Wildlands’ conservation efforts, including their projects focused on fighting the current rhino poaching crisis.

This year Wildlands are adding yet another exciting element to this signature event, namely, the “Wildlands Young Artist of the Year Award.”The competition aims to give young, up and coming artists (in Grade 10, 11 or 12) in KZN an opportunity to showcase their work to the general public and a chance at winning 1^stplace (R5000), 2^nd place (R2000) or 3^rd place (R1000).

The top 10 finalists were announced  and congratulated yesterday and include: Christopher Elllis (Hilton College), James Cook (Thomas More College), Sarah Waller (St Anne’s College), Jocelyn Seagreen (St Catherine’s School), Marlowe Brett (Hilton College), Melissa Nzuza (St Catherine’s School) Lebohang Dube (Alexandra High School), Olwethu Mhlongo (Port Shepstone High School), Rebecca Plumbley (Durban Girl’s College) and Upasana Patel (Durban Girl’s High School)…and their work will also be on display at the Art for Conservation Exhibition.

The top three students – James Cook (1^st place), Lebohang Dube (2^nd place) and Christopher Ellis (3^rdplace) – will also be given seats at the exclusive (invite only) Gala Dinner & Auction.

“We hope the public take the time to browse through this exhibition and purchase art that is not only for your visual enjoyment, but for the benefit of helping us build a sustainable future for all. We envision the Nelson Mandela Capture Site as a popular stop-off for tourists, holiday makers and locals during the end of November and December and can promise you the trip will be well worth your while,” concluded Venter.

Yesterday the Newscafe at King Shaka International Airport was abuzz with a large group of people gathering to witness the 20 year old Olympic Gold Medalist, Chad Le Clos, unveil a spectacular rhino sculpture and commit to helping in the fight against poaching.

Chad needs no introduction, having won a gold medal in a memorable race against his idol, Michael Phelps, in the 200m butterfly at the 2012 Olympics in London earlier this year. The young, proudly South African swimming star, Chad Le Clos believes we need to protect our country’s heritage. “I find poaching shocking and any cruelty to animals in fact; the current rhino poaching crisis is really bad, and we need to do whatever we can to help right now.” Chad’s father, who has also risen to “celebrity” status overnight with his quirky personality and outspoken ways, was also in attendance. “My son has been overwhelmed with people asking him to stand behind their causes, but this was one that he felt he could not say no to and is something both him and I feel very passionately about,” commented Burt.

Chad is hard working but also quite playful and mischievous, and obviously the apple does not fall far from the tree because both Chad and his father, Burt, have a fantastic sense of humour. When asked if and why he was proud to be a South African, Chad replied, “yes, very proud, I think the people in this country are amazing, except the poachers.” A lovely light hearted attitude in amongst the “heaviness” of the poaching epidemic we are currently faced with.

Chad’s rhino, which was designed to reflect him on both a personal and professional level, will be auctioned off at a high profile event on the 29^th of November at the Durban City Hall, and all funds raised will go towards the conservation efforts of the Wildlands Conservation Trust and their strategic partners.

Chad’s rhino forms part of the Durban leg of the RHINO PARADE. This is an innovative fundraising campaign based on the internationally renowned Cow Parade concept. There are 4 rhino in the Durban parade, including that of Pat Lambie, Shaun Pollock and music legend, Ray Phiri. The initiative seeks to raise funding for the war on rhino poaching by getting South African Ambassadors to adopt and help design a ¾ life size black rhino sculpture.

Rhino poaching has reached epidemic proportions with the statistics heading close to 600 before the end of 2012. Andrew Venter, CEO of the Wildlands Conservation Trust emphasized how important it was for people to join forces in this fight, “we recently formed a strategic partnership with Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife (EKZNW) and African Conservation Trust (ACT) with a view to channelling our resources,” commented Venter. “By standing together with ambassadors like Chad we reiterate that lawlessness and criminal activity will not be tolerated,” said Venter. The partnership builds on the foundation laid through the establishment and activities of the ground breaking Project Rhino KZN initiative –www.projectrhinokzn.org.

“Chad passes through this airport on a regular basis, and I must say one of the biggest crowds that ever gathered here at the domestic arrivals was when Chad arrived back from the 2012 London Olympics, I also remember a LOT of screaming girls,” jokes Brand & Communications Manager at ACSA, Colin Naidoo. “I don’t think Chad could have anticipated just how much his life would change after that day, but it is great to see that he is using his new found fame to do good, and ACSA are also happy to be a part of this great cause,” commented Naidoo.

The 26th to the 28th of October 2012 saw the second hosting of the Bonitas Radox Golden Gate Challenge by the Wildlands Conservation Trust’s Wild Series team. This trail run event is run in partnership with South African National Parks (SANParks) at the Golden Gate Highland National Park in the Free State, in an area known as South Africa’s “best kept secret” in terms of our national parks. This event was once again a huge success, with 187 runners participating in the event and experiencing 3 days of challenging and well planned out trail running. The Golden Gate Highlands National Park offers an incredible network of trails that challenged even the most hardy trail runners, but also allowed them the privilege of enjoying the most amazing views, with an abundance of highland grassland game to keep them company.

The event was won by Wayne Scott and Erica Walker respectively in the men’s and ladies categories in overall times of 8hours 6minutes for Wayne and 9hours 25minutes for Erica. Throughout the event, runners were praising the professional manner in which the event was run, and the amazing routes selected for them to traverse, despite gasps from participants when the next day’s race profile was revealed!

The Bonitas Radox Golden Gate Challenge is fast growing into a recognised trail running event on the annual calendar, and will cement itself as a key event for SANParks. The funds raised from this event go towards supporting the development of key infrastructure and management at Golden Gate Highlands National Park. The focus of this support is primarily on Bearded Vulture conservation, as the rapidly declining Bearded Vulture population can be attributed to the reduction in the area suitable for breeding purposes, the decrease in availability of regular and safe food, the deliberate and accidental poisoning of birds at carcasses, and the collision of Bearded Vultures with power lines and associated infrastructure. This will support the vulture feeding site and associated vulture hide, allowing many more people to experience close-up views of these amazing icons of the Maluti Mountains.

The Southern African Bearded Vulture population is estimated at approximately 100 breeding pairs (200 adult birds) together with 120 non-adult birds, giving a total population estimate of ONLY 320 individuals left. Previous estimates in the early 1980s found 204 active breeding pairs, indicating a large decline in numbers in the past few decades, with less than half the known nest sites currently being occupied.

It is therefore essential that events such as the Bonitas Radox Golden Gate Challenge continue to be staged, in order to raise funds for a dedicated Bearded Vulture conservation programme in this area to ensure the long-term survival of this icon of the Drakensberg Mountains.

Wildlands would like to thank everyone that contributed towards the success of this event – Bonitas, Radox and Wedgewood, all the Golden Gate Highland National Park staff, and the SANParks Honorary Rangers. Your support and funds ARE making a contribution to securing our natural heritage!