WILDLANDS recently hosted the Comrades Marathon Association (CMA) General Manager, Keletso Totlhanyo, top WILDLANDS fundraiser, Justine Rae and 8 Mile Club founder, Stan Kozlowski at a wildlife experience held at the Somkhanda Community Game Reserve in Northern KwaZulu-Natal (KZN)
The wildlife experience has become a key driver for the WILDLANDS fundraising campaign incentive and has enabled the dehorning and collaring of both black and white rhino on Somkhanda for the past 3 years. 8 Mile Club swimmers that sign up to take part in the aQuelle Midmar Mile and the Comrades Marathon runners who select WILDLANDS as their preferred charity, raise funds for rhino conservation.
Collectively, the Comrades runners and the 8 Mile Club swimmers raised an amount of just over R600 000 for the WILDLANDS rhino conservation projects.
Three rhino were dehorned and the group were privileged to spot buffalo as well as the Somkhanda lion pride, vultures, kudu, impala and inyala.
“It was awesome to see how the experienced conservation team efficiently and professionally go about their business in helping to make Somkhanda a reserve of choice to visit, that will be accessible to everyone as well as assisting communities and wildlife to survive side by side. The 8 Mile Club is proud to be associated with WILDLANDS and support the fitment of tracking devices to rhino, elephant, lion and other animals as well as the dehorning of rhino,” commented, Stan Kozlowski, 8 Mile founder.
“I cannot describe the range of emotions I experienced at Somkhanda; I will forever be changed. The work being done is just incredible. WILDLANDS is truly an inspirational charity to support. Thank you for all you do and thank you for making me part of it,” Justine Rae, WILDLANDS top fundraiser added.
“For me, this weekend was filled with entertainment, education and information. We were informed about the dangers of plastic to wildlife. I found this resonated with me the most as the Comrades event is exploring alternatives to plastic sachets to reduce our environmental footprint during the race. We will continue to engage with WILDLANDS, the runners and sponsors to try find a solution,” Keletso Totlhanyo, Comrades GM commented.
“The support we receive from the fundraisers and donors enables us to carry out vital work to reduce the poaching risk of these iconic species and assists in securing rhino populations for future generations,” Izzy Rowles, Somkhanda Community Reserve Tourism concluded.
WILDLANDS remain one of the 6 charities that benefit from the Comrades Marathon and the aQuelle Midmar Mile. Look out for the opening of the Comrades entries in the next month or so to become a WILDLANDS runner. To support our work at Somkhanda Community Game Reserve, visit https://wildtrust.co.za/somkhanda/
Month: August 2019
WILDLANDS host Open Day teaching the community about climate smart farming
Yesterday, more than 50 community members gathered at the KwaJobe Hub Open Day lead by WILDTRUST Project Trainer, Thulasizwe Zulu.
WILDLANDS, a programme of the WILDTRUST together with the Emvokweni Community Trust, have recently started a project enabling community-based adaptation in the Mkhuze River Ecosystem, funded by the government of Flanders.
“Our main aim is that the community gains enough knowledge that will help them live without depending on buying food and learn how to use permaculture principles which will help in decreasing their spending costs,” said Thulasizwe.
The idea for the day was to introduce climate smart farming and discuss how climate smart crops such as cassava are already being grown and eaten in the community. “We are hoping that the project will help prevent the community from buying non-nutritious food by increasing the quality of their cultivation which will be monitored throughout the progress of the project,” said Zodwa Gumede, KwaJobe Area Mentor Facilitator.
The Open Day also provided an opportunity to remind the community members of the value of the Hub as a space for learning and sharing ideas. “As a part of this project, we are looking to introduce and further develop alternative and sustainable climate smart farming practices in the rural communities that we work with in that area. We are looking to focus on promoting traditional crops that are more resilient to climate change,” said Samantha Houghting, WILDLANDS Strategic Manager.
For more information about this project, email us at info@wildtrust.co.za
