Warm winter thanks to KNP’s charity

LIMPOPO – THE Kruger National Park (KNP) management and personnel devoted their 67 Minutes for Mandela by donating blankets they knitted themselves to children at Siphephelakhona Community Centre in Nyongane, a village outside Phabeni gate last Friday.

They also planted trees.

“As a tribute to our beloved Madiba, who will forever remain an inspiration to nations all over the world, we call on communities to devote their time to worthy causes which make a difference in society on a daily basis,” said KNP managing executive, Glenn Phillips.

The idea was also to spend time at the centre in an effort to mobilise the community, in particular young people to raise awareness on issues such as environmental crime, poverty, peace, economic development and education.

“It is in our hands to ensure the young ones live in an environment which gives them access to opportunities meant to promote their optimum level of well-being. The situation in some of the homes where the children come from is critical. With winter still lingering, getting some of the necessities makes a huge difference in the young ones’ lives.

“As KNP, we saw it fit to give warmth to the children at Siphephelakhona and would like to thank the management of the centre for affording us the opportunity and all the colleagues who took their time to make these blankets,” concluded Phillips.

SANParks has a department called people and conservation that is in constant contact with communities bordering the park. The department has also established various community forums which allow healthy dialogue and joint ventures.