Mbombela golf day raises funds for wildlife conservation and anti-poaching
Luxury lodge stays and a bespoke sculpture feature in an auction supporting intelligence-led wildlife protection.
A total of 34 four-balls filled the course at Mbombela Golf Club on August 21 for the Bessenger and Associates Golf Day.
The golf day serves as a fundraiser for anti-poaching and conservation efforts, making it not only a sporting event, but also an opportunity to unite businesses, individuals and organisations behind a cause that deserves support.
“We want to help those, especially those who work behind the scenes of these causes,” said Gerhard Bessenger, the event organiser, CEO of Bessenger and Associates and chairperson of the General Domestic Professional Employers Organisation. “They are our information gatherers and play a crucial part in preserving our wildlife.”
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Auction features luxury lodge stays
The day concluded with a prize-giving and auction. The items up for auction totalled more than R300 000 in value and included stays at luxury lodges in the Lowveld area, such as Karongwe Luxury Bush Getaway and Klaserie Drift Safari Lodge.
A rhino horn sculpture by the late Conraad Geza de Rosner was also part of the auction. All the proceeds are used to fund conservation and anti-poaching efforts.
Duanne Henning, Shaun Henning, Wilmar Muller and JD Herbst won the Bessenger and Associates Golf Day on 54 points.
“Bessenger and Associates are grateful to every company, sponsor, player and supporter who has joined us,” said Bessenger. “Every contribution matters. Every conversation that creates awareness matters. Every piece of information that reaches the right person matters and every person who chooses to stand against organised crime makes a difference.”
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Reserves adopt intelligence policy
Bessenger and Associates became involved in rhino conservation in 2014 after the Sabi Sands Reserve suffered devastating rhino losses from poaching. It soon became clear that protecting wildlife requires more than an armed response and security measures. It also requires managing sensitive information that could be exploited by organised criminal networks.
This led to the development of the ‘Deception Policy’, designed to regulate the dissemination of sensitive information by employees. The policy has since been adopted by 28 reserves and implemented within the Kruger National Park, highlighting the importance of protecting information and understanding the consequences of its misuse.
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