Senzeni to help raise awareness for the plight of rhinos
With a name like Senzeni, Sabie Valley Coffee's rhino sculpture is a stirring monument to the majestic species.
Senzeni is a Swazi name meaning “what have we done”, which paints a bleak picture of the ongoing killing of rhino.
Guests to the establishment were encouraged to buy a ticket for R10 and suggest a name, for which the draw took place on April 27.
All funds generated would go torwards the SANParks Honorary Rangers’ anti-poaching efforts. The sculpture was donated by Johan Morgan, a local resident, who came up with the idea in 2014 when he had to wait at Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport for a flight to land.
A regular visitor to the Kruger National Park, he started looking for information on how to support the anti-poaching efforts or merchandise he could buy in support. When he couldn’t find any, he decided to look for a way to provide it to visitors to the area.
Working with Kim and Tim Buckland, the Sabie Valley Coffee initiative was launched. “Thanks to their generosity we have a wonderful home for our rhino and a place to work on establishing a viable donation and information display,” Morgan said.
Following the rhino-naming project, they approached a local street artist, who makes small beaded rhino. They are now for sale in the coffee shop, with R20 from each purchase donated to the initiative.
They will also provide entertainment for children like a colouring sheet and “ring-the-horn” games to educate them on the plight of the species.
The main aim of the project is to create a meaningful display where the money will reach the right people, be used in a constructive manner and provide information on rhino (including the myths surrounding the use of their horn) to patrons.
The organisers plan to develop other fund-raising programmes to coincide with the very busy periods during the year. They say it is essential to have the stamp of approval from a recognised SANParks body or affiliate to give the display credibility.
The honorary rangers have given their support and recognition to the project and their logo will be used on the display and information documents.
Guests will also be able to support the initiative by purchasing a bottle of Rhino Tears wine at the coffee shop. The range was recently launched by the honorary rangers, in partnership with the Unite Against Poaching Trust and Mount Vernon Wines, to support conservation efforts within the national parks.
For more information on the project or to donate, contact Sabie Valley Coffee on 013-737-8169 or send an email to info@sabievalleycoffee.com
