South Africa has lost a giant
Dr Ian Player passed away at midday on 30 November 2014 at his home in Karkloof valley in KZN
MBOMBELA – “A giant has passed on.” With these words the work and life of the late Dr Ian Player has been honoured by Ms Edna Molewa, minister of environmental affairs. “The loss of is felt by all in the conservation community.
His contribution to the preservation of our natural world and his leadership in saving the rhino from extinction in South Africa, are achievements that cannot be beaten,” she said.
Player passed away on Sunday afternoon at his home in Howick, KwaZulu-Natal.
He suffered from a stroke almost two weeks before.
The newly appointed CEO of SANParks, Mr Fundisile Mketeni, was greeted on his first day in office by the news of Player’s passing. “He was my role model,” Mketeni remarked.
“We owe it to him to ensure that we do not allow the current onslaught on our rhino to succeed.
While we mourn his passing, we also celebrate his enormous contribution,” were the words of the SANParks chairman, Mr Kuseni Dlamini.
He added that Player was, more than anybody else, responsible for saving our rhino from the brink of extinction in the 1960s.
Born in South Africa in March 1927, he “earned his stripes” in the rough-and-tumble era during which Africa’s protected areas were created and tested.
Until his death Player always referred to himself as a game ranger. He would have celebrated his 88th birthday next year.
Promoting films on conservation, raising money for environmental projects both within the Republic of South Africa and internationally, kept him busy. He was also a lecturer and author.
He founded and influenced international conservation links and relationships throughout Africa, Europe and the United States of America and was also a member of many conservation organisations and founded the Wilderness Leadership School, the World Wilderness Congresses and the Wilderness Foundation in the UK. He also founded the Duzi Canoe Marathon and the Natal Canoe Club.
Today South Africa is home to 82 per cent of Africa’s rhino, 93 per cent of Africa’s white rhino and 39 per cent of black rhino, which represents between 8 400 and 10 000 today.
