Standing against rhino poaching
21 schools from the Manyeleti, Cottondale, Greenvalley and Athurcity circuits of the Bushbuckridge region participated in the competition, with each school being represented by one grade 10 or 11 pupil.
To observe International World Rhino Day 2014, The Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT) in partnership with A ROCHA South Africa and Responsible Tourism Foundation, took a stand against rhino poaching.
A speech competition for pupils and a church leaders’ seminar was hosted in the Bushbuckridge area in Mpumalanga, to bring attention to this worthy cause.
The competition was hosted at the Timbavati Bush School on Friday, September 19.
21 schools from the Manyeleti, Cottondale, Greenvalley and Athurcity circuits of the Bushbuckridge region participated in the competition, with each school being represented by one grade 10 or 11 pupil.
The main aim of the competition was to promote rhino conservation messages through young people in rural communities and schools, and was also aimed at empowering and involving young people to take part in decisions made to combat rhino poaching.
The competition explored the social, political and economic impacts of rhino poaching. Pupils presented possible solutions to the impacts and challenges of rhino poaching in their prepared speeches.
The top five pupils then had to answer questions from the panel of adjudicators and it was this ability to think on his feet that secured first place for Success Ngobeni, from Sokisi High School.
Success’s prizes included the opportunity to attend the International Youth Summit against rhino poaching in Hluhluwe, KZN, from September 21 to 23.
He has also been awarded a bursary to study the course Introduction to Conservation and Environmental Education at the Southern African Wildlife College for six months in 2016.
