The Deputy Minister of Environmental Affairs (DEA), Barbara Thomson, will lead events to mark World Rhino Day in Bushbuckridge, Mpumalanga, on 22 September 2014.
World Rhino Day is observed annually on 22 September. The event is hosted by the Department of Environmental Affairs and SANParks. The celebration of the day will form part of the Department’s efforts to raise awareness among communities, particularly those living adjacent to the Kruger National Park, about rhino poaching.
The Rhino Day event includes a Run for Rhino fun run involving the local community, a formal programme to be addressed by the Deputy Minister, community leaders, a ranger, SANParks, Mpumalanga provincial government and Bushbuckridge municipal leaders.
An estimated 200 people will participate in a march led by DEA, SANParks, the Mpumalanga provincial government, the Bushbuckridge municipality and local community leaders to the Tulamahashe police station. A Memorandum will be handed over to the Mpumalanga Police Commissioner, Brig TC Ntuli, to thank the SAPS for the work they are doing to combat rhino poaching, to pledge support from DEA, SANParks and the local community to the police in the execution of their duties, and to call for more action to be taken to address the scourge of rhino poaching.
Details of the event are as follows:
Date: 22 September 2014
Venue: Thulamahashe Stadium, Bushbuckridge Local Municipality, Mpumalanga
Time: 09h00 – 14h00
If you want to cover the fun run, the event starts at 07h00.
To access draft programme for the day: Draft programme: World Rhino Day.
Please RSVP on/before 19 September 2014 to:
William Mabasa, Spokeperson Kruger National Park
Tel: 013 735 4363
Cell: 082 807 3919
E-mail: william.mabasa@sanparks.org
Laura Mukhwevo
Tel: 013 735 4262
Cell: 082 807 1441
E-mail: laura.mukwevho@sanparks.org
Simangele Mabusela
Tel: 012 399 9987
Cell: 078 865 3360
E-mail: smabusela@environment.gov.za
For media inquiries contact:
Albi Modise
Cell: 083 490 2871
Reynold Thakhuli, SANParks
Cell: 073 373 4990
