SKUKUZA – A ray of hope has been cast on the crusade to save the rhino in the form of a historical joint collaboration between South African National Parks (SANParks), Bavaria 0.0% and South Africa’s Big 5 Retailers – Woolworths, SPAR, Shoprite Checkers, Massmart and Pick ‘n Pay.
Amid the concerns surrounding fund-raising schemes exploiting the current heightened rhino awareness, the Adopt So Our Rhinos Don’t Die campaign is the first to bear the official SANParks seal, which ensures peace of mind that all funding will go directly to anti-poaching activities.
SANParks CEO, Dr David Mabunda, said, “As the custodian and sanctuary for the majority of Africa’s rhino population, and 91% of the world, it is distressing to report that with the exception of the honorary rangers’ initiatives during 2012, SANParks has not received a cent from independent rhino fund-raisers this year. We are in a crisis situation that requires money for expert human and technical resources.
“This historical joint collaboration brings hope to the crisis. All money will be held in a ring-fenced trust fund managed by Rand Merchant Bank under the audit of the National Treasury. It will be available to any rhino conservancy that applies for assistance to ensure that we save as many rhino as possible.”
Ms Edna Molewa, minister of water and environmental affairs, endorsed the initiative. “It is an honour and privilege to be here, but I have mixed emotions. I am devastated about the carnage we currently face with the senseless slaughter of these animals, and the fact that we have lost over 500 since January 1. On the other hand, I am grateful to know that help is at hand and at last South Africans will unite to make a difference, and protect the world’s natural heritage for generations to come.”
With a 300-year family legacy immersed in preserving heritage, Bavaria 0.0% is more than just a brewery. It has shown its commitment to ensuring that rhino are preserved for future generations by being the enabler of the initiative.
This decision falls directly in line with their intrinsic value of zero tolerance to poaching, any illegal killing and to drinking and driving. The partnership regards the decision by SANParks to clamp down on irresponsible alcohol-induced behaviour in its parks.
Mr Stijn Swinkels, family board member of Bavaria, commented, “Brewing is in my blood. My whole family grew up with it, but why should our sense of responsibility stop there? The plight of the rhino really touched me. This is about keeping your identity and national pride alive. It is about future existence. If we can deploy something as simple as our product’s reach and accessibility, to make people stop and think about this, then I want to support it. “Hopefully our children will take over the brewery and therefore I understand how important it is to fight for survival.
“I hope that later our children will brew with the same passion, while at the same time realising that what they are holding in their hands is more than a malt drink and that outside the brewery we can also make a difference.”
Bavaria 0.0% has extended the reach of the campaign into South Africa’s Big 5 leading retail chains and as front-runners to the consumer, each retailer will create the adoption route for the public. From every purchase of any six-pack of Bavaria regular or fruit-flavoured malt drinks, both the Big 5 retailers and Bavaria will match a massive margin sacrifice to fund the consumer’s adoption certificate cost. This money will go directly into the SANParks ring-fenced rhino fund.
Swinkels added, “We were so touched by the rhino plight, that the cause became greater than our risk to enter a new market and sacrifice our profit margin. We would like to thank the Big 5 retailers for joining us in this collaboration in aid of the rhino, who is the real hero.”
Mr Ivan Oertle, Woolworths specialist buyer, commented, “We have always believed in doing the right thing and in this case it is collaborating with Bavaria, SANParks and our competitors to bring hope to the world’s last remaining rhino population. We urge our customers to support the initiative. Never before has saving the rhino been done in a way that is so easy, such fun and so safe, as this the first campaign carrying the official SANParks seal of approval for a ring-fenced fund.”
Mr Mark Robinson, group liquor manager of the SPAR Group Ltd said, “I would like to applaud SANParks, Dr David Mabunda and of course Bavaria 0.0% for what is undoubtedly an initiative which will go a long way to protecting one of our country’s very rare and threatened assets and part of our heritage.
Hopefully this will make a meaningful contribution to the protection of our rhino and we thank you for including us in this initiative.”
“We are pleased to join other retailers in assisting SANParks to make a difference in the fight against rhino poaching,” added Mr Jonathan Koff Makro liquor executive, Massmart.
Mabunda concluded, “I believe the Adopt So Our Rhino Don’t Die campaign will ignite the nation, and the world, into a cohesive drive to adopt and protect these endangered animals against poaching. Bavaria’s contribution towards funding the consumers’ rhino adoption cost, will lead the way in providing the much-needed funding in our crusade against illegal poaching and wildlife trade.”
