The handover also marked a TotalEnergies between TotalEnergies and SANParks which has existed for over 60 years; as well as a continuation by TotalEnergies to create awareness of its environmental stewardship, its focus on nature conservation and its contribution to the communities in which it operates in. SANParks Chief Operating Officer, Lize McCourt thanked TotalEnergies for the transformative partnership that has existed for over six decades when accepting the cheque.

“TotalEnergies has demonstrated beyond reasonable doubt that they are a formidable partner because they have partnered with us on various programmes over the years,” said McCourt. McCourt said that the ongoing rhino poaching incidents in our country are an area of concern to the government and ordinary people including corporate South Africa. It is with great humility and a sense of pride that SANParks accepts the generosity presented by TotalEnergies. This is proof that together we can do more to win the fight against rhino poaching,” McCourt continued.

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Programmes that TotalEnergies have partnered with SANParks over the years range from the SA National Parks Week, which took place on 12 -16 September this year and affords South African citizens a chance to visit SA National Parks for free, SANParks Kudu Awards, the marketing campaigns including the Golden Classics Concert at the Golden Gate National Park, the greening projects as well as the Environmental Conservation Education and Awareness projects such as, Keep Kruger Clean campaign which ran for over 15 years in the KNP as well as the Walk on the Wild Side programme.

“We really appreciate this gesture as it will not only make it easier for our air services to patrol and react to conservation teams on the ground in the vast areas of National Parks provide for the protection of wildlife, but it also strengthens our relationship with one of our important business partners,” she said.