SKUKUZA – As the scourge of rhino poaching continues, more and more stakeholders are coming on board to join the fight.

This time Absa has joined hands with the education department in teaching learners about this illegal activity which is affecting the world at large.

The bank’s Mkhuhlu branch has sponsored a speech contest which will have learners at selected schools in the circuit discuss issues related to rhino poaching. On Tuesday, the bank accompanied teachers to the Kruger National Park (KNP) where they were equipped with knowledge and accurate statistics of slain rhino so that they could impart it to the learners before the competition in February next year.

According to the branch manager, Ms Lerato Mokoena, this was after they did an evaluation and realised that the learners who would participate in the competition, did not really have an idea of the consequences of rhino poaching.

“We decided to listen to their speeches before the big day and realised that they were not aware of how much this was affecting the environment and we decided to organise this workshop,” said Mokoena.

Urging communities to participate in combating rhino poaching, KNP’s communication and marketing manager,

Mr William Mabasa, said that 80 per cent of the rhino population in the country was in the KNP and if poaching continued, the rhino will go extinct.

He indicated that 891 rhino had already been killed this year alone and 117 people arrested in connection with the cases.

“We welcome and appreciate this gesture from Absa which indicates that it is no longer KNP’s problem alone. We have tried everything, including pleading with traditional healers not to give muti to poachers, and we urge community members to contribute in bringing this selfish act to the end,” said Mabasa.

Absa Hazyview branch manager, Mr Gugu Maphosa, said they saw it fit to allow conservationists and environmentalists at KNP to teach educators, and share information with them which they would transfer to the learners. He added that as future leaders, the youth might have a solution to the problem.

“If there’s people who can influence children to do the right thing, it is you the teachers because you have the power to shape their minds by imparting knowledge to them hence this workshop was called for you,” emphasised Absa’s regional consultant, Mr Walter Letsoalo.

Speaking on behalf of the educators, Mr Aron Zitha thanked the bank for the initiative which he said was an eye-opener for them as well.

“I for one did not know that there was such a huge number of rhino that have already been poached. I will now be able to tell others to change their mindset about rhino poaching because now I know that it is affecting our economy in a bad way,” said Zitha.