Rocking for Rhinos festival well underway
Rocking for Rhinos are asking people to take a stand today and support them in their quest to make a difference so that future generations will have the privilege of seeing these incredible animals alive, wild and in their natural environment.
HOEDSPRUIT -The third Rocking for Rhinos festival will soon take place and as usual this wonderful initiative continues to merge conservation, entertainment and the public with one united aim – to save rhino in a unique and innovative way.
“By combining opinion influencers such as big bands or entertainers with festivalgoers, the message is clear in a medium that all backgrounds can understand. Each person’s ticket is their donation to save the rhino. The poaching of rhino in South Africa has reached an all-time high with 333 slaughtered in 2010 and increasing at an alarming rate to 448 in 2011 In 2012 668 were poached while 1 004 were slaughtered in 2013.ll. As of June 2014 we are already on 476 rhino lost to poaching in South Africa. The time is now. If we don’t make a change today, this moment, the species will be lost forever. There are no more questions, no more ifs or buts. The only question that remains is when they will become extinct,” the NGO’s statement read.
Rocking for Rhinos are asking people to take a stand today and support them in their quest to make a difference so that future generations will have the privilege of seeing these incredible animals alive, wild and in their natural environment.
Rocking for Rhinos was formed in January 2012 by extremely motivated, passionate and dedicated people, united by one fundamental issue; the now critical plight of the disappearing rhino population and the war that must be waged against the poachers and ring leaders who are the direct cause of the demise of this gentle creature.
Rocking for Rhinos is a registered non-profit organisation (NPO number 137-976) working towards not only the abolishment of rhino poaching, but also the protection and management of the remaining population.
“We are based in Hoedspruit, a small town in Limpopo, surrounded by game farms and in close proximity to the Kruger National Park. Our mission is to do everything in our power to contribute to the fight. This includes spreading awareness, placing pressure on local authorities and educating as many people as we can in order to create change. We will also raise as much funding as we can to assist the teams on the ground in this senseless war – those who risk their lives daily to protect the Rhinos and those who are involved in the capture and prosecution of the perpetrators.”
The festival will take place on from September 26 to 28. This date was chosen because of the proximity to World Rhino Day (September 22) and SA Heritage Day (September 24).
The venue is Franklyn Park on the outskirts of Hoedspruit, which provides ample space for staging, exhibition areas, food and beverage areas, as well accommodation in the form of camping zones. It is a secure, closed venue which will be dedicated to the festival for the duration of the event.
“This year we will have around 25 bands and six DJs performing on two stages. We will have a few international acts from Mozambique and Namibia as well. The line-up thus far is set to include the likes of Chris Chameleon, aKING, WAMBUSEUN from Namibia, WYSDIMAN, Thundermerwe, FlatLander, Octainium, SarcotrofiA from Mozambique, The Kiffness and Straatligkinders.”
Tickets are available through Computicket. Ticket prices for a day pass on either Friday, Saturday and Sunday cost R100. A full weekend pass including camping cost R270. Children under 12 are free.
For more information visit www.rockingforrhinos.org or Facebook: Rocking for Rhinos.
Enquiries: Gareth Putter on 073-2377-269 or gareth@rockingforrhinos.org
