Month: July 2014

The weekend of the 20^th of July saw 319 individuals gather at the Racefood Head Quarters in Merrivale Heights, for the launch of a new and exciting Wild Series event called the ‘Old Mutual Midlands Mudrun’. This is a 5km, fun filled obstacle course which forms part of a series of sporting events (Wild Series) that aims to raise funds for conservation in and around South Africa.

There was also a shorter 2km, kid friendly course for 6 – 12 year olds. The race had different categories which meant that you could take part as an individual, a team of boys or girls, mixed teams and school teams.

Participants all dressed in Jonsson workwear overalls took on 21 obstacles, but sharing mud was the main order of the day. The first individual to complete the race in the men’s category was Matt Kretzman chased closely by Owen Bengo who came in second place. Maya Oppermann held onto her 1^st place in the ladies race, 6 minutes before Bronwyn De Lange. Epworth School team took 1^st place in the schools race, walking away with Makro vouchers to the value of R5 000 and the first overall team went to the Karkloof Rangers.

Although the day started at an almost sub-zero degree temperature, it turned out to be the most magnificent midlands day!

Thanks to the following sponsors: Old Mutual, Sunday Tribune, Jonsson Workwear and Racefood, for investing and contributing to this collective effort of raising funds for the conservation of the Karkloof Nature Reserve.

The Deputy Minister of Environmental Affairs, Ms. Barbara Thompson, led a clean-up campaign on the 18^thof July in Pietermaritzburg as part of her Mandela Day commitment. The activities the Deputy Minister took part in included waste collection and the separation of the various waste streams, which ultimately means a diversion of waste from landfill.

Mandela Day provides people with the opportunity to make a difference in the world by contributing at least 67 minutes of their time towards community service or doing a good deed.

Ms. Thompson also used the day to celebrate the cleaning and greening of the Eastwood and Copesville communities, which is taking place daily through the Wildlands “Recycling for Life” project, made possible through local community members who have been given the title of “Waste-preneurs.”

The Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) through the Green Fund – Expanded Public Works Programme, in partnership with Wildlands Conservation Trust have three key programmes focusing on job creation within the waste sector, youth unemployment, waste collection, separation, recycling and skills development within the context of the Green Economy.

The Wildlands “Recycling for Life” and Waste-preneur project involves the collection of recyclable materials by community members in exchange for credit notes which they can barter for livelihood support items such as building materials, groceries and Jojo tanks.

Uncontrolled waste has a massive negative impact on natural ecosystems, especially river systems.  It blocks natural water flows and poisons the plant and animal life. To highlight this impact a group of Wildlands Groen Sebenza Pioneers and uBuntu Earth Ambassadors did two MiniSASS river tests along the Baynespruit river in Eastwood and explained the results to the Deputy Minister. MiniSASS is a citizen science tool that anyone can use to determine the health of a river.  It uses the composition of macroinvertebrates (small animals) living in rivers and is based on the sensitivity of the various animals to water quality. The results showed that this section of the river was ‘seriously modified’, indicating a very poor condition. Results of these tests can be found on the miniSASS website: www.minisass.org

The Pioneers form part of ‘Groen Sebenza’;  a national programme led by SANBI (as nominated by the Development Bank of Southern Africa [DBSA]) and funded by National Treasury as part of the Jobs Fund Programme. Wildlands have 38 Pioneers and the group of Geographers and Community Development workers that joined on the day were thrilled to have an opportunity to spread the message of the urgency of addressing river health in South Africa and highlight this to the Deputy-Minister.

“The waste sector has been identified as one of the critical sectors, with the potential to contribute substantially to the generation of jobs within the green economy,” said Ms. Thompson. “It is within this context that the Department of Environmental Affairs is increasingly expanding its programmes in job creation and enterprise development within the waste sector.”

Wildlands Conservation Trust played a pivotal role in mobilising partnerships within the uMsunduzi Local Municipality on the day, which included Drakewoods, E-Waste Africa, Event Medical Services and Singhs Construction.

“A day like this is so powerful,” said Wildlands CEO Dr. Andrew Venter. “Mobilising people in the community, even those who have never expressed an interest in our waste collection project, and high level officials like Ms. Thompson picking up waste side by side with enthusiasm, is just so heart-warming. This is the potential of a day like this, it gives us the opportunity to change mind-sets and uplift and unite.”

It’s ON again! Last Tuesday, the 1^st of July saw the re-launch of an exciting and unique campaign aimed at raising funds for Wildlands’ Rhino conservation projects. The campaign will see R5 donated to the Wildlands Conservation Trust for every breakfast sold at JAXX Restaurant (Hilton Quarry Shopping Centre) from the 1^st of July – 15^th of July 2014. The breakfast customers will also have the opportunity to match the JAXX donation with a R5 personal contribution to anti-poaching efforts in KwaZulu – Natal.

The breakfast options are as follows:

Project Rhino Tracker Breakfast – fresh rocket, avocado slices and soft poached eggs with a slice of health toast
Project Rhino Aerial Support Breakfast – traditional benedict- poached eggs, hollandaise sauce and hickory ham on a english muffin
Project Rhino Investigations Breakfast – early start- 2 eggs, bacon, mushrooms, grilled tomato, served with toast, butter and jam

Do your bit and contribute to anti-poaching efforts by purchasing a breakfast at JAXX Restaurant (Hilton Branch) – Call to book on 033 343 2226 or visit www.jaxxrestaurant.co.za

The Wild Series Old Mutual Radox Somkhanda Rhino Run is due to take place on the 16^th of August at the breathtaking Somkhanda Nature Reserve in northern KwaZulu-Natal. This is a 1-day 50km ultra trail running through rhino country, so keep an eye out for these amazing animals! The Race Village is set in between the rolling valleys of northern KwaZulu-Natal; situated perfectly to give you the best sunrise and sunsets imaginable. Camp fires will set you off and welcome you back home after a long day of great trail running.

Apart from the White and Black Rhino population, the game reserve has valuable populations of Nyala, Zebra, Giraffe, Wild Dog and a variety of typical bushveld game.

The Somkhanda trail run continues to raise much needed funding to support the ever growing security requirements for Rhino.

Saturday, 16 August 2014 ENTER ONLINE NOW – www.wildseries.co.za Format: Individual and Teams of 2 (Men, Ladies, Mixed) Venue: Somkhanda Nature Reserve (Zululand – between Pongola & Mkhuze)Province: KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Email XantheH@localhost/import-data-post for more information.

The Wild Series team are excited to announce the launch of a new event called the “Midlands Mudrun.” This is a 5km, fun filled obstacle course which is challenging enough to be enjoyed by adults and fun enough to be enjoyed by children. There is also a shorter 2km, kid friendly course for 6 – 12 year olds. So this is definitely a challenge that caters for the whole family!

The course offers opportunities for team work, self-discipline and pushing yourself past your comfort zone. Be prepared to dodge electricity, push yourself up a “killer” hill and wallow through some mud. The course appeals to the fast, athlete type individuals, as well as the ‘weekend warrior’ looking for a fun outdoor event. Based close to Pietermaritzburg and Hilton, it is a short trip away from doing something different with the whole family. ENTRIES ARE LIMITED so enter now to avoid disappointment!

Event Date: Sunday the 20^th of July 2014
ENTER ONLINE NOW– www.wildseries.co.za or email HilaryB@localhost/import-data-post
Distance: 5km (Age Restriction 13 years old)
Format: Obstacle course
Venue: BSW 12A, Birnamwood, Merrivale Heights (Racefood headquarters)
Province: KwaZulu – Natal, South Africa
Entry Fee:  R400 per team of 4
R100 entry per individual

School Teams get FREE ENTRY! Teams should be made up of 4 pupils (girls and boys teams) age restriction is 13 years of age.
PRIZES for SCHOOL TEAMS – R 5 000 Makro Voucher for 1st place, R 3 000 Makro Voucher for 2nd place and R 2 000 Makro Voucher for 3rd place– in both the Boys category and the Girls category.

* Food and drink will be available for purchase at the event

The Kids Mudrun is for children aged 6 – 12 years old and is a 2km course with an entry fee of R50 per entrant. Parental supervision is compulsory for children aged 8 and under.