The Pinnacle Ridge View school community recently held its annual Rhino Drive, where 5 500 litres of long-life, fat-free milk were collected for orphaned baby rhinos. This has made the drive the school’s most successful campaign since it started in 2023.

The initiative, spearheaded by teacher Niki McNamara, supports Rhino Connect NPC, which cares for orphaned rhinos rescued from privately run game reserves affected by poaching.

According to Niki, the campaign was inspired by an initiative originally run by Hot Cares and Ferris Cars. After missing the opportunity to participate in 2023, the school launched its own drive and collected 1 436 litres of milk. In 2024, Ferris Cars invited Pinnacle College Ridge View to join its Supercar Rhino Run, and the school has continued the Rhino Drive as an annual conservation initiative ever since.

“This year we have collected the most milk since we began, with a total exceeding 5 500 litres,” Niki said.

She explained that learners are taught about wildlife conservation as part of the curriculum, helping them understand the threats rhinos face and why conservation efforts are so important.

“We explain the dangers rhinos face and what the consequences of those dangers are. The learners contribute through donations of long-life, fat-free milk and cash donations. While the milk feeds orphaned rhinos, the money we raise can go towards medication or veterinary bills,” she said.

According to Niki, community support has grown each year, with parents, local businesses and residents all contributing to the campaign.

Among the biggest supporters this year was QTS, which donated 600 litres of milk to the drive. Ashlee Paige van Lill from QTS said the company was proud to support both conservation and the school’s efforts.

“At QTS, we believe in supporting initiatives that make a meaningful difference. When we learned about the Rhino Drive, we saw an opportunity to contribute to the care of orphaned baby rhinos while supporting a local school’s conservation efforts,” she said.

She added that South Africa’s wildlife is an important part of the country’s heritage and that businesses have an important role to play in supporting worthwhile causes.

“Every contribution counts, regardless of its size. By working together and supporting worthwhile initiatives, businesses can help create lasting positive change in our communities and our environment,” Ashlee expressed.

Niki further expressed that the need for support became even more urgent during this year’s campaign.

“At the beginning of the drive, we were focused on feeding one milk-dependent orphan. By the end of the drive, there were another four orphans needing milk. All these babies had been orphaned due to poaching,” she said.

The milk collected by the school will be distributed by Rhino Connect NPC to orphaned rhinos where it is needed most, while financial donations will help cover veterinary and medical costs.

Niki encouraged residents and businesses to continue supporting conservation efforts beyond the school’s annual campaign.

“The poaching crisis continues to leave tiny calves without their mothers. This is not a once-a-year fix. Rhino Connect NPC are always in need of assistance, whether through milk donations or financial contributions,” she said.

For more information about Rhino Connect NPC and how you can get involved, visit www.rhinoconnect.org.