Month: July 2021

After nearly three years of operating on Somkhanda Community Game Reserve, Wild Connection, an adventure tourism operator, will hand over tourism operations to the local community. During their time at Somkhanda, Wild Connection did an incredible job of building the reserve into a premier community-based tourism destination, and in training and capacitating local tourism and hospitality staff. Their departure is testimony to the amazing work done in skills transfer and the empowerment of local business. Wild Connection will cease operations on reserve on the 31^st of July 2021 and move to a new destination. We wish them all the best and thank them for the amazing work done on Somkhanda.

In preparation for the community to take over tourism operations, all facilities will be closed during August 2021. Please keep an eye on our socials for news on the newly established Somkhanda Tourism and Hospitality Pty (Ltd) that will re-launch in August with some exciting news and specials. The local Gumbi community is extremely excited to play a larger role in managing tourism on the reserve and look forward to hosting you in our unique community-owned Big 5 Game Reserve. We are extremely grateful for the continued support from our NGO partners who believe in our vision and continue to support conservation and community development.

“This is truly the fulfilment of a shared vision, to see the community not just passively benefitting from the biodiversity economy but taking the lead and actively managing their resources for the greater benefit of society. We hope the Gumbi people will inspire many more communities across the country to follow their example,” says Dr Roelie Kloppers, WILDTRUST CEO.

The Comrades Marathon Centenary Hope Challenge virtual event took place on the 13^th of June 2021 following the cancellation of the road race due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Bearing the campaign theme of Ithemba or Hope, thousands of runners from across the globe took to the streets in the hope to run for more than themselves and support the CMA Amabeadibeadi charities. The WILDTRUST, was once again part of the six charities that benefit from this event, raising funds for its community and conservation projects across South Africa.

The WILDTRUST set a target to raise R1 million for its various projects which include restoration, climate change mitigation, conservation, youth empowerment and community upliftment through training and development. While the target seemed ambitious, especially considering the event was hosted virtually, the Trust is excited to announce that through over 300 individual donations from event entries and our WILDTRUST Race4Charity runners, a total of over R400 000 was raised for our work.

The WILDTRUST wishes to shine a spotlight on Grant Cummings who single-handedly raised a whopping R367 469 through his extensive network of supporters. Grant is a seasoned Green Number Comrades runner who has completed both the up and down runs with silver medals. Grant has a deep passion for fundraising and has raised over R1 million for various causes over the years which he humbly attributes to his extremely supportive wife and generous friends, family, and business networks.

“I had set out to raise R430 850, which also happens to be my Green Number (43085) plus a zero. This target seemed insurmountable, but I am truly grateful to my sponsors and supporters, for helping me raise more during this campaign then during any other campaign in which I’ve been involved. None of this achievement would have been possible without them and my number one supporter, my wife, Tenley Cummings. We are already planning for 2022, and we hope that the pandemic will not prevent us from making the journey from Pietermaritzburg to Durban, again. Huge thanks to WILDTRUST for all that they do for our communities, as well as the conservation of our lands and seas,” comments Grant Cummings.

“We are very grateful to Grant for choosing the WILDTRUST. This is the first time we have ever had one individual raise over 90% of the funds on his own,” said Buyi Makhoba-Dlamini of WILDLANDS.  “In these very uncertain financial times, we would like to thank Grant from the bottom of our hearts for truly inspiring a sense of hope for our projects. Grant upheld the Comrades theme of Ithemba – Hope. We would like to thank all his supporters as well as all the other individuals who have helped us reach almost 50% of our set target. You are all our Comrades heroes,” said Makhoba-Dlamini.

While we are all sitting on edge wondering what the future holds for mass participation events, we remain hopeful that the world will once again be a safe place for people to run the Ultimate Human Race.

“We would like to thank the Comrades Marathon Association (CMA) for allowing us to be part of the Amabeadibeadi charities. The funds received through this year’s virtual event will support all our work across our WILDLANDS and WILDOCEANS programmes. We look ahead with great expectation that the tide on the current situation changes for the better,” concludes WILDTRUST CEO, Dr Roelie Kloppers.

This year’s STIHL iMfolozi MTB Challenge marked its 17^th cycle ride after a one-year sabbatical due to Covid-19 pandemic. Although staged under very strict Covid-19 protocols, the WILDTRUST was honoured and excited to host over 300 riders at the Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park, on the 26^th of June 2021.

Instrumental to the staging of this ride in the wild was headline sponsor STIHL as well as Sanlam, KZN Ezemvelo Wildlife and Impi Concept Events as they collaborated to raise funds for rhino conservation and combating wildlife crime at the reserve.

Over R200 000 was raised for the conservation efforts within the reserve and a special mention goes to the group of 10 riders who came together under the banner of Ride 4 Rangers. This group was spearheaded by WILDTRUST Trustee, Peter Bode, Financial Director of National Edging. Further to these contributions, we are truly grateful to all the riders who donated their meal tickets towards supporting KZN Ezemvelo Wildlife’s orphaned rhino programme. These funds will be used to buy the much-needed feed to sustain the rhino orphans under their care.

“The WILDTRUST is incredibly grateful to everyone who participated in this year’s event and everyone who made additional donations towards safeguarding our environment and protecting the wildlife that cannot protect itself,” comments WILDTRUST CEO, Dr Roelie Kloppers.

“A huge thank you to our long-time supporters STIHL, and Sanlam for their incredible support and financial contribution that made this event possible turning it into the success that it was. We are also grateful to KZN Ezemvelo for opening the park to allow our participants to take time off to reconnect with nature. Finally, we would also like to thank our brave riders for their unwavering support during this time and we look forward to hosting you again next year, under more relaxed social conditions,” concluded Stuart Berry, race organiser and director of Impi Concept Events.

African Youth Unifying for Ocean protection: African Youth Summit

Our Africa, Our Ocean, Our Future.

In the first-ever virtual event of its kind on the continent, a youth driven marine group called Youth4MPAs in partnership with WILDOCEANS, and supported by World Surf League PURE, The Pew Charitable Trusts and Oceans5 has launched an African Youth Summit focusing on unifying youth across Africa, engaging with global marine experts and amplifying their young voices to advocate for protection of its oceans.

Watch the official video launch here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9omR2omE00Q

Established in 2018, Youth4MPAs has been instrumental in growing a voice of change for South African oceans and its protection. Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are critical because they are able to defend the oceans capacity to produce oxygen, sequester carbon and provide food and livelihoods for billions of people. They are also important for the future because they can protect depleted, threatened, rare, and endangered species. In addition, MPAs generate economic benefits such as revenue from nature tourism and ecosystem services, making nature another economic sector in its own right.

South Africa has already protected 5,4% of its waters. The National Plan committed to protecting 10% by 2020 which has not been achieved yet, with hopes for this milestone in 2021. This will go a long way in contributing to the global ocean target of protecting 30% of our oceans by 2030 (30X30). Scientific research indicates that the effective protection of at least 30% of the global ocean is needed to reverse adverse impacts, preserve fish populations, increase resilience to climate change, and sustain long-term ocean health. Protecting at least 30% of the global ocean is the minimum to maintain a healthy and sustainably managed ocean and achieve socioeconomic goals.

The African Youth Summit, is set for 19-20 August 2021 and is primarily aimed at building ownership and stewardship by the youth (for the youth), of the global 30 x 30 initiative.

“We are deeply rooted in empowering and educating rural and urban youth communities, providing them with the necessary tools and voices to support and action blue solutions around Africa’s vast coastline” says AYS Co-ordinator, Kajal Lechman.

This Summit will provide a platform for inter-disciplinary and intergenerational interactions and engagements that will help build capacity to further engage in the 30 x 30 message, not only within our circles, but on international platforms, and with key decision makers. Leading marine scientists, Dr Jean Harris, Prof Moenieba Isaacs, Karen Sack, Dr Jennifer O’Leary, Prof Rashid Sumaila and Prof Mandy Lombard will be among the keynote speakers to join and provide vital insight and experience to the conversations during the event.

“The summit reinforces the importance of ensuring the active participation of youth leaders as we collectively work to conserve our blue planet,” said Masha Kalinina, senior officer for The Pew Charitable Trusts. “Today, more than 80 countries have joined the call to action to protect at least 30% of our global ocean by 2030. The support of individuals and networks of African Youth means that their voice can build on this momentum to secure a robust agreement for the high seas and to set targets to conserve our marine environment over the next decade.”

The Summit is particularly important in that it will build and expand new and already existing networks and relationships across Africa and remain a legacy for future generations of ocean advocates. It will also promote unity and patriotism among Africa’s youth that will greatly assist in the development of meaningful conversations with local communities, to build mutually beneficial relationships between marine ecosystems, Africa and her people.

Themes of the Summit will focus on the following:

• Deciphering the science behind 30X30 to help youth improve on their knowledge and facilitation of meaningful discussions.
• Reconnecting humans to nature by building stewardship and ownership of the global ocean conservation agenda.
• Creating a unified voice for African youth by building strong relationships and networks.
• Becoming ambassadors of change by connecting African youth to the ocean through education.
• Giving African youth a space to create a call to action for world leaders in preparation for upcoming events like COP15 and the IUCN Congress.

“As an active youth movement, with the vision of generating youth voices that educate and create awareness about ocean health, protection, and sustainability – we are inspired to forge an African network of young people that take charge in shaping the future of our oceans.” said Merrisa Naidoo, Youth4MPAs spokesperson.

WILDOCEANS Project Manager, Rachel Kramer, also added that: “Young people represent the largest population group on the African continent. The youth have the potential to become a formidable force if they are equipped with the tools to engage in the ocean conservation conversation. We believe that engaging youth fulfils their right to participation and ensures the continued survival of Africa’s magnificent marine biodiversity and the ecosystem services the ocean provides. This is the ocean they will ultimately inherit – we all need to do our part in better-protecting it.”

Join us in building an environmentally active and conscious youth movement across the African continent.

For Our Africa, Our Ocean, Our Future. Because We Are One Ocean!

Take the first step for Ocean Protection by joining us on the 19-20 August 2021.

Register here: https://africanyouthsummit.com/

Follow us on social media here:

• Official video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9omR2omE00Q
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AfricanYouthSummit/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/africanyouthsummit/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/AY_Summit