Local businesswoman passionate about saving rhinos

The Advertiser caught up with Boksburg businesswoman and official brand ambassador of the Insimbi Legacy Projects Sharon Janse van Rensburg to find out more about her and her rhino journey.

The multi-talented Sharon is the owner of Divine Be Gracious in Boksburg. She described herself as an adventurous, compassionate, reliable, fun-loving, creative-minded, detail-oriented person who has a love for Jesus, people and animals.

Sharon, who lives in Springs, explained she became the brand ambassador of the organisation after its founder, Carmela Lattanzi, noted how committed she is to Insimbi and rhino conservation.

Carmela started the project to involve the public in the fight against poaching after one of her widely admired rhinos, Insimbi, was killed in 2014.

The founder said: “Sharon’s love for the animals and determination to make a real difference shown through. She put her heart and soul into every project she did after being April 2019’s ambassador.
“This proved to me that Sharon was meant to be the brand ambassador. In my eyes, she is the perfect person for this role. She presents the brand very well.”

Why did you become involved with the Insimbi Legacy Projects?

I am passionate about animals – the voiceless! That moment when my feet hit the red sand for the first time, I just knew I was destined to be there!
After visiting Insimbi’s grave something happened in my soul, a deeper connection and love for these amazing animals was born!

What do you look forward to the most when you go on an adventure with a cause weekend (AWAC) at the organisation’s reservation?

To spend time with the gentle giants knowing our presence will help to keep them safe during the full moon and meeting people with a love for rhinos. Every person attending an AWAC weekend contributes financially to rhino conservation!

How do you keep yourself motivated after reading about poaching incidents like the recent one at The Rhino Orphanage?

The motivation is anger, frustration and the realisation that a rhino’s life is lost due to another senseless killing. Extinction is forever and we have to keep on fighting for these majestic animals!

Are there any myths about rhinos that you want to address?

That their horns have medicinal properties. Rhino horn is comprised of keratin, the same material as our hair and fingernails.

You are the inspiration behind many of ILP fund-raising initiatives such as the annual colouring-and-art competition. Can you tell us about your latest projects?

The fund-raising projects that I initiated include the Guardian of the Rhino fund-raising tins, ‘Run for a Cause, Help a Ranger, Save a Rhino’ virtual and event runs and also the ‘Beauty with a Cause’ photo competition also serves to spread rhino awareness.
For more information about the latest projects, visit www.insimbilegacyprojects.co.za.

How did Covid-19 affect Insimbi?

The hard lockdown regulations hurt ILP finances because all ecotourism was put on hold, meaning all our AWAC weekends were cancelled.
AWAC weekends are our main source of income, and we were forced to look at different avenues to raise funds.

What would you like to achieve in the future?

Get different media platforms and the public involved in rhino conservation.
Establish a secure monthly income that will cover the anti-poaching rangers and other expenses like trail cameras, airtime, batteries, feed and the vet.
I also want rhinos to be happy, healthy and safe.

Is there anything you would like to add you feel is important?

If we don’t do anything now to help save these gentle giants, they will be lost forever.
The protection of rhino is everyone’s responsibility. Together we can and must make a difference to keep them around!
Follow Insimbi Legacy Projects on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/InsimbiLegacyProjects/).

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Also Read: #SaveRhinos: enter Insimbi’s Run For a Cause virtual race