KZN 18

More documents

Recommendations

Info

Rugby legends give critical support to rhinos at 2016 uBhejane Xtreme Former Sharks centre Jeremy Thomson (Thule/PYGA Industries) and 2007 Rugby World Cup winner John Smit will join a small group of brave mountain bikers for this weekend's 340km uBhejane Xtreme MTB Challenge from Hillcrest to Hluhluwe in support of Project Rhino KZN's anti-rhino poaching efforts. Anthony Grote/ Gameplan Media Durban – Former Springbok captain and 2007 Rugby World Cup winner John Smit and former Sharks centre Jeremy Thomson will join a small group of intrepid mountain bikers who will tackle the gruelling uBhejane Xtreme MTB Challenge on Saturday, 10 December in an effort to raise much needed festive season funding for Project Rhino KZN. The former KZN rugby legends join the likes of globally recognized humanitarian Kingsley Holgate, world renowned adventurer Sibusiso Vilane and the ‘Voice of Cycling’ Phil Liggett in a star-studded line-up for Saturday’s event. “I think it was a moment of weakness and a fair bit of peer pressure that saw me buckle,” laughs Smit about his signing up for the challenge. “I’ve never done 240km in one go before and it sounds like a long, long way! “It sounds like a long way on a road bike, let alone on a mountain bike!” he chuckles 24 Kzn Lifestyle Magazine • Issue 18 anxiously. 22 brave souls will start at 02h00 on Saturday morning at Cadence Cycling Performance Centre in Hillcrest, aiming to reach the Dolphin Coastal town of Ballito by sunrise and the Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Game Reserve gates by 18h00 as they head for the finish line at Hilltop Camp. Smit and Thomson have however opted to join those doing the 240km Short Horn – a shorter but no less challenging task from Ballito to Hilltop Camp as they do their bit for the highly endangered creatures. “I love the bush, when I was younger our family grew up with the bush and now we try take my kids to the bush whenever we can,” says Smit. “But, with how things are going, we’re not sure how much longer these magnificent creatures are going to be around for and if I don’t do something about it then my grandkids may never get the chance to ever see them!” The cause is also a close one to Thomson’s heart. “The company I work for has been behind Kingsley Holgate’s expeditions for many years now, so we have very strong ties to him and the Rhino Art programme – which was his brain child - in particular. “Now to be a part of an event that Kingsley is linked to really is going to be very special. “It is critical that we all get together and get involved in these sorts of events, campaigns and projects because without them the message just doesn’t get out there and the money doesn’t come in. “I feel obligated as a person to do my little bit.” Thomson, like Smit, is secretively a little worried about the distance too. “I’m not quite so worried about the legs as I am about my bum!” laughs the Thule/PYGA Industries ace. “This will be more than double what I’ve ever done in a day before, so it will definitely be tough, but it’s for a great cause and with a great bunch of people so I’m really looking forward to it.” Being a ride rather than a race, taking in the whole experience is something organisers encourage, especially as riders cover the final 35km inside the game reserve,amidst the bushveld and the Big 5. The sheer distance alone does however make this one of the most testing one day mountain biking challenges in the country and will take a few brave faces and much camaraderie within the groups to get everyone across the line. The 2016 uBhejane Xtreme MTB Challenge takes place from Hillcrest to HluhluweiMfolozi Game Reserve on Saturday, 10 December. Donations can be submitted and more information found via www. ubhejanex.co.za.
uBhejane Xtreme gives Project Rhino KZN welcome Christmas present Durban – Participants of the grueling 340km uBhejane Xtreme MTB Challenge from Cadence Cycling Performance Centre in Hillcrest to Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Game Reserve’s Hilltop Camp on Saturday 10 December are set to provide a key funding source for Project Rhino KZN when the corporate world downs tools this festive season. While many folk look forward to enjoying some down time and unwinding with friends and family in December, the work does not stop for the KwaZulu-Natal based anti-rhino poaching initiative and uBhejane Xtreme riders’ contributions provide a timely financial boost to Project Rhino KZN’s efforts. “We’re hugely appreciative of everything that the uBhejane Xtreme MTB Challenge does to support our efforts at Project Rhino KZN, particularly during what can be quite a difficult time for us,” says Project Rhino KZN’s Grant Fowlds. “Many businesses close at the end of the year and with that comes a drying up of some of our much needed financial resources over this period, this despite our efforts continuing 365 days a year. “As such, having an event like the uBhejane Xtreme MTB Challenge – which takes place in December, when a lot of people have a bit more free time to involve themselves in a venture like this – is a huge help for us at Project Rhino KZN.” Launched on World Rhino Day on 22 September 2011, Project Rhino KZN is an association of like-minded organisations facilitating rhino conservation interventions aimed at eliminating rhino poaching and securing the white and black rhino populations of KwaZulu- Natal. Through its ‘Zero Tolerance to Rhino Poaching’ approach, Project Rhino KZN continues to work towards achieving its ultimate dream of seeing both White and Black rhino species thriving in KwaZulu-Natal and far beyond, forever free, forever secure from poaching, well managed and protected. “During 2012, both the Western black rhino and Vietnamese population of Javan rhino were declared extinct, and there are only three Northern white rhino left in Africa,” explains Fowlds ominously. “South Africa is now one of the last countries to have a significant population of rhinos left in the wild – one of the reasons why South Africa is bearing the brunt of what can be described as one of the worst global wildlife conservation crises of the past 100 years. “Over 6000 rhinos have been killed within the country’s borders since the crisis began in 2008 and the ‘tipping point’ – in which more rhinos are being poached than are being born – is becoming an ever-increasing danger for South Africa’s white rhino and black rhino populations. “If the poaching continues to escalate at the current rate, we could well see the demise of the rhino in major national parks with only small handfuls surviving in well protected areas. It could take decades for the populations to recover.” Project Rhino KZN’s efforts assist some 32 game reserves – 24 Private and eight Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife Game Reserves – including the uBhejane Xtreme’s finish destination, the iconic Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Game Reserve. Funds such as those raised by participants of this year’s uBhejane Xtreme MTB Challenge, allows the organisation to continue its work which centers around five key pillars – rhino security, community engagement, youth education and awareness, legislation and lobbying as well as accountability and coordination. “The Zululand Anti-Poaching Wing (ZAP-Wing) provides helicopter and fixed-wing aerial surveillance and reaction support to 25 game reserves as well as aerial support to law enforcement rhino security operations. “We also provide ranger training, equipment and technology to KZN game reserves, rangers and Anti-Poaching Unit (APU) members as well as maintaining and supporting relationships and communications across game reserve and law enforcement boundaries. “Our youth drives and community engagement programmes aim to increase conservation awareness and mobilize those in communities bordering game reserves, especially the youth, to speak out against the escalating poaching of rhino and other endangered species and global wildlife crime. “One of the greatest needs to stop rhino poaching is to improve the level of successful arrests and prosecutions of poaching gangs and syndicate kingpins. “Project Rhino KZN is therefore also assisting state-led law enforcement efforts by petitioning for greater Judicial and political support, particularly for the establishment of a dedicated Wildlife and Environmental Crimes Court in KwaZulu- Natal.” The 2016 uBhejane Xtreme MTB Challenge takes place from Hillcrest to HluhluweiMfolozi Game Reserve on Saturday 10 December. Those interested in taking part may apply to enter by contacting event organiser, Mark Carroll (076 570 1420) while donations can be submitted and more information found via www. ubhejanex.co.za. Kzn Lifestyle Magazine • Issue 18 25
Page 1 and 2: KZN arts - entertainment - health -
Page 3 and 4: South Africa’s friendliest festiv
Page 5 and 6: Organifi Green Juice According to m
Page 7 and 8: Top Tips on the Perfect Temperature
Page 9 and 10: What To Take Camping When I first g
Page 11 and 12: Fun activities to keep kids from ge
Page 13 and 14: Waterfall Nail & Beauty is an owner
Page 15 and 16: Manicure (30min) manicure with para
Page 17 and 18: READERS RiDES Car news, articles an
Page 19 and 20: Jump into 2017 with the KZNTR Kenne
Page 21 and 22: ‘OG’ takes a Gandar at Drak Cha
Page 23: ners unwind at STIHL Sharks venture

KZN 18

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?