Klaserie Chronicle Klaserie Kroniek No: 13; December 2009
The elephant photo is THE elephant, taken just before it charged. In these laconic terms Field Guide, Brian Kelly, wrapped up talking to the Klaserie Chronicle about an experience he had early in November in the Klaserie, an incident he is unlikely to forget for the rest of his days on Planet Earth. The words are all Brian’s. Nothing has been added to, or subtracted from, his story. Brian Kelly can be contacted at the e_mail address ... brian@luvuvhu.org. His postal address is: P.O. Box 1834, Hoedspruit 1380.
Looking at death in the eye of the tusker from three metres by Brian Kelly
T
he following is a condensed version of a report I sent to FGASA detailing the events surrounding the shooting of an elephant in Klaserie.
On Thursday, 5 November 2009, I set out leading a guided walk from Tusker Camp south along the Klaserie River onto the Pitlochry property of the Klaserie Private Nature Reserve. I was leading seven guests. Pierre Joubert was my backup. We had walked about a kilometre from camp before we encountered multiple elephants in the riverbed below the near bank, about 25 metres away. Up to this point, a large termite mound had blocked our view of the elephants and they hadn’t made any sound so I had not seen them. I only spotted them as I passed an acacia tree and could see behind the termite mound and down into the riverbed. I immediately said to my guests, “Elephants, but we’re too close. Go back.” They started walking back along the same path and Pierre moved to lead them away. After about 30 to 40 metres, we paused to see if any elephants had come up the bank.
At that point it was possible that none of the elephants had become aware of us, as they would have had to look through that acacia and directly into the sun to see us. If there was any wind, it was in our favour. But an elephant had come up the bank about 50 metres away, so I instructed the guests to keep going. Pierre continued to lead them away at a fast walk. I brought up the rear, constantly looking back at the elephant. Initially it stood still facing us, head high, ears out, and one foot off the ground. ...TURNED TO FACE IT ... When it started walking toward us, I slowed down to separate myself from the guests and draw its attention to me. Pierre continued leading the guests away. When it started running I stopped, turned to face it, and stepped towards it. Perhaps 40 metres separated me from the elephant at Continued on Page 3 ...
Brian Kelly - in photograph above - shares his close encounter of the elephant kind with Klaserie Chronicle readers.
“Ordinary people with great commitment can make an extraordinary impact on their world.” John Maxwell (Leadership guru)
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Readers’ Forum - Briewebus
Die redakteur van die Klaserie Kroniek doen ’n beroep op alle lesers vir paslike items wat op hierdie bladsy gepubliseer kan word. Dankie, Redakteur
Die wonderlike reën van die Laeveld foto’s en woorde verskaf deur Martin Stone
Kort na die eerste reën in November het ons die eerste rooibok lammetjies begin sien en so ook het die bosveld visvanger sy opwagting gemaak, die dag voor die groot reën. Daar was ook vir ‘n kort rukkie na die veld begin groen raak, verskeie vrektes van rooibokke gewees en die laaste paar dae n paar buffel kalf vrektes in die APNR gerapporteer. Volgens kenners is dit n siekte toestand wat voorkom as die dieët skielik ver-ander van droë veld na sappige groen gras. Die diere se vertering stelsel kan nie al die nitrate hanteer nie en vrek dan basies van n tipe koliek. Ek dink almal is baie dankbaar vir die reën maar die natuur is die dankbaarste van almal. Groete uit die Klaserie oosblok.
Die reën in die Laeveld is werklik ‘n belewenis veral as dit goed reën na n lang droë winter. Dit is absoluut ongelooflik hoe die dorre droë veld in n tropiese paradys, feitlik oornag verander. Tot dusver het ek 198mm reën gemeet van die begin van die seisoen af, wat werklik eintlik eers die 13 November begin het, in vergeleke met verlede jaar se reenval tot op datum, 97mm. Geen wonder die droë Ntsiri rivier loop het in volle swang gevloei op die oggend van die eerste Desember na n vinnige 55mm se reen vroeg-oggend. Wanneer n mens hierdie rivier in vloed sien wil n mens altyd die vraag vra: “Word hierdie rivier ooit droog?” As n mens na die foto links kyk sal n mens nie dink dat hierdie rivier vir 99 persent van die jaar net sand is nie. Die onderstaande foto is van n dam wat binne 30min vol geloop het van feitlik droog af.
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End-of-year message from Zani’s desk Hallo Almal, Vanjaar ‘hoor’ ek die bos groei, ek ruik die soet geur van die blommemassas en ek kry waarlik die gevoel van afwagting dat ’n wonder gaan gebeur. Ek besef, soos die engele van ouds, is die bos besig om Kersfees aan te kondig! Mag julle dit ook so ondervind nou en in die nuwe jaar. This wonderful Christmas season that we are experiencing to me is just the culmination of such a wonderful 2009; a year we experienced so many blessings, made so many children happy , touched so many lives and succeeded in making such a difference. To one and all who was part in however small a way, who opened their hearts and just gave and gave and gave, may God bless you all this Christmas and may you truly have a prosperous new year.
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Thank you to everyone who has been involved in making the Chronicle such an informative and interesting mouthpiece. You helped to spread the message and I am looking forward to working with you next year and trust we will receive even more contributions. Thank you, Elmarie and Winky, you really supported me and made such a difference this year. Enjoy the holiday season. It’s Christmas once again! It’s time for Santa’s gifts, for mistletoe kisses and for togetherness. Ein frohes Weihnachtsfest und alles Gute zum neuen Jahr! Sinifesela uKhisimusi oMuhle noNyaka oMusha! Love Zani
“Be the change you want in the world.” Mahatma Gandhi
Drought, nature’s equalizer drought following the Having lived and worked in the Associated Private Nature Reserve Colin Rowles reminisces Reserve’s proclamation in 1972. The years (A.P.N.R.) area, first in the Umbabat following the proclaand then in Klaserie for the past 27 years, I’ve had mation up until the commencement of the the privilege of witnessing some severe climatic drought saw herbivore numbers increase extremes, from severe droughts through to occa- dramatically under the new protection, reaching levels that were unnaturally high. sional floods. It’s been predicted that the summer of 2009/10 will be the start of another dry cycle and in fact it has been said that we are at the beginning of the next severe drought. Having experienced two previous droughts, first that of 1982/83 and then that of 1992, I thought I would share some of my experiences of these events with you. At the outset we need to understand that, although droughts bring an immense amount of suffering and death to large numbers of wild animals, they are in fact an act of nature; an act of nature specifically designed to clean up the environment and eliminate all the weak and ailing components. Coupled with good management the end result is a healthier, rejuvenated environment. We must also remember that the severity of a drought on the environment depends largely on the management practices that have been applied to the area. The 1982 drought was the first severe
In the absence of large carnivores, wildeContinued on Page 4 ...
KPNR Warden, Colin Rowles writes ...
Looking death in the eye from three metres Continued from Page 1 ...
the relevant authorities. I ended up with only scrapes and bruises, a sprained ankle, and this point, while the guests were about 20 to 30 metres farther from a few broken ribs. I am extremely lucky to still be alive. It was more the elephant. I shouted at it while chambering a round and than luck that played a hand. Proper training is what guided our shouldering the rifle. actions, and if it were not for the training Pierre and I received from It continued to accelerate while I looked for signs that it might Bruce Lawson and Phil Hudson at EcoTraining Makuleke, I stop. It lowered its head as it came nearer and at no more than three believe the outcome would have been far worse. metres, I fired a shot at its head. Ultimately, it is my hope that this unfortunate event will be At the same instant, the elephant imscrutinised for its educational value. pacted me with tremendous force, causThere can be no finer lesson on the ”... I ended up with only ing me to lose my rifle and sending me to scrapes and bruises, a sprained importance of walking with an armed the ground. For a few seconds, I could backup and the importance of proper not see what was happening to me. I just ankle, and a few broken ribs. I training for trail guides. am extremely lucky to still be remember feeling elephant skin on me Additionally, I would like to thank all and feeling like I was being knocked who responded to the situation, inalive. It was more than luck about and crushed. Then I heard two cluding Stephen and Heather Kapp that played a hand ...” shots fired and felt the elephant go limp. and Ingrid Geertsema from Pierre had taken the guests to safety and Transfrontiers’ management, Mark had then come back. He had the composure and skill to shoot Wilkes, the property manager of Northumberland, Colin Rowles through a cloud of dust into that elephant’s brain while I was still and Gustav Roux from Klaserie, and Jean Joubert from Mpumalanga underneath it, saving my life. Parks Board. Their quick and professional response to the situation is greatly appreciated. PIERRE FIRED TWO MORE SHOTS Thanks to my guests for keeping level-headed throughout. I was able to get out from under the elephant and walk away as Pierre fired two more shots to make sure it was dead. I then lead Special thanks also to Bruce Lawson for his guidance, mentorship, everyone back to camp, where we spent the next several hours and advice, both before the incident and after. And of course, talking about what had happened, both with each other and with thanks to Pierre Joubert for saving my life. “Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees.” The Holy Bible (Revelations 7:3)
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KPNR prepares for 2010 and beyond At five-year intervals the KPNR Executive Committee convenes a planning workshop to which all members are invited.
Key words for KPNR’s Mission and Vision were agreed and important Objectives established in a number of areas including Conservation of habitat and species, Eco-tourism, Hunting, Safety and Security, Community Upliftment, and APNR synergies. Exco will now prioritise the numerous activities and projects and will assign responsibilities for their completion in given timeframes. Once finalised, the KPNR 2010 - 2014 Plan will be published for members review, and highlights will be reported in a future issue of the Klaserie Chronicle. In summary, Exco was extremely pleased with the quality and extent of inputs to this planning process and is confident that a pragmatic, executable plan will be produced which will guide KPNR over the next five years.
by Alastair Wood
The purpose of the workshop is to discuss members’ views on the current status of KPNR, and agree objectives to be achieved by the Reserve over the next five years. This year the meeting took place at HQ on Friday 16 October and was attended by some thirty members. Input had previously been obtained from 43 responses to a questionnaire. KPNR’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats were discussed; economic, political and technology trends were identified; the expectations of Sanparks and MTPA were presented; pending legislation was debated, and Sabi Sand and Timbavati Private Nature Reserve presented their experiences to assist KPNR in charting a course.
Colin talks of ‘Nature’s equalizer’ was trucked into the Reserve to sustain the ing and the commotion outside, got up to watch. The lions, realizing that the cow was valuable white rhino population. Continued from Page 3 ... Buffalo, a species that is quickly weak- too weak to resist the attack, began conbeest numbers increased to approximately 6 000 in number. At this time the Reserve ened by drought conditions became the suming the buffalo from the hindquarters carried more wildebeest than the central primary diet of the lions. Some lion prides without killing it. A short while later they followed the large herds and it became a left this cow, ran a few metres and pulled districts of the Kruger National Park. The drought led to massive animal mor- routine exercise for management staff to down a second one, and again began to tality and some populations were deci- locate and record the number of buffalo devour it while it lay bellowing. A third animal also met its fate in similar mated. Wildebeest numbers fashion. dropped from 6 564 to 433. Impala Later that night when the lions numbers decreased by almost had left, I went out and shot the 15 000 animals, from a pre-drought three buffalo then returned to bed. population of 20 279 to 5 971. During this period I received Although all herbivore species numerous reports of animals that suffered massive die-offs, it was were dying from starvation and the environment that suffered the had to destroy many, most of most. them buffalo. Hippos were the The memories of the 1982 most pitiful. Weakened animals drought were just beginning to would seek refuge from the scorchfade, when what was termed to be ing sun in the shade of small trees the worst drought in living and bushes far from water and lie memory in the Lowveld struck in down and die. Another species, 1992. that is very prone to the effects of The effects of this drought were drought are the warthogs. They exacerbated by the fact that dursimply become too weak to leave ing the ten-year period, between their burrows to forage in the the two droughts only one abovemorning and would die in their average rainfall season was recorded, this low rainfall period Water has always been abundant. It is holes. had not provided for the neces- starvation. There has simply not been enough fodder to IT IS STARVATION sary environmental recovery fol- sustain the animal numbers within the confines of the Drought brings to mind images boundary fences. lowing the earlier drought, and of animals dying of thirst. This the consequence of this was devastating. killed by lions during a particular night. As many as six from the same herd were killed may be the case in many areas but not so in TRAINLOADS OF FODDER by the same pride one evening. The lions, Klaserie as water has always been abunTRUCKED IN dant. It is starvation. There has simply not The Reserve was at this time a small obviously satiated from numerous previ- been enough fodder to sustain the animal ous kills, only partially ate one of the younger island of conservation, entirely ringnumbers within the confines of the boundfenced, the previous drought had reduced animals. Although we may see this as being ary fences. wasteful and cruel, nature had stepped in the stocking rate, but at the same time the The dropping of the KNP western boundcarrying capacity had also been reduced and implemented a culling program to re- ary fence in 1994 effectively created an area lieve some of the stress that the buffalo were due to habitat degradation. in excess of two million hectares; this open Being totally fenced, a hands-on man- placing on the environment. and vast landscape will hopefully assist in The following night the same lion pride agement approach was acceptable and suppressing the severity of the drought pulled down a weakened buffalo cow only hundred of thousands of Rands was spent that we are currently anticipating. a few metres from our house at headquaron procuring train loads of fodder which ters. Janice and I, awakened by the bellow-
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“Life is never easy for those who dream.” Robert James Waller
Die vraag wat by vele geleenthede aan my gestel word deur aantreklike jong meisies, laerskool seuns en ook die gewone dorpsbewoner, is: “Het jy al noue ontkomings gehad?” Die antwoord hang af wie die vraag stel. Ek sal in kort verduidelik. As ’n jong seun vra, is sy verwagting gemik op avontuur. My antwoord sal dus fokus op die feit dat ek verskriklik gelukkig was om te oorleef! In die geval waar ’n aantreklike dame die vraag stel, is haar verwagting gemik op die soeke na ’n held. Dan sal my antwoord natuurlik die ervaring en kennis wat benodig was om te oorleef, beklemtoon. Die waarheid egter - dis moeilik om ’n gewone dag in Afrika van ’n noue ontkoming te skei. Ek beantwoord die vraag gewoonlik met ’n teenvraag. “Wat sal jy as ’n noue ontkoming beskou?”
toe ’n leeumannetjie skielik 20 meter voor ons die rietpaadjie kruis! Ons het gestop. Ek het besluit om van plan te verander en die leeu maar alleen in die riete te laat jag. Omtrent twee ure later was ons besig om dieselfde trop te bekruip. Die keer was ons op die rand van die rivier, met die buffels skaars 80 meter voor ons. Dit was ’n la-a-a-ng dag! Die son het hoog Hollands gepraat, en omdat die veld droog en oop was, was koelte uiters skaars. ’n
200 METER VAN DIE BUFFELS Twee weke gelede was ons oudergewoonte agter buffels aan. Die trop was op die rant van die rivier, sommige in die riete, ander op die wal. Ons het in die rivierbedding, met die wind in ons gesigte, hulle stadig benader. Die situasie daar was soos volg; warm, bedompig, met sigafstand van tussen 1 - 30 meter. Ek het my geweer gelaai en stadig in die buffels se rigting beweeg. Olifante en buffels hoor mens voor jy hulle sien. My grootste vrees in die riete is egter ons katvriende, leeus en luiperds. Ons was ongeveer 200 meter van die buffels af
Groep olifante was besig om uit die rivier te beweeg in ons rigting. My jagvriende was ernstig bekommerd oor hierdie situasie. Die gedagte om vir ’n tweede keer te onttrek en van voor af te moes
deur Gustav Roux
Verskil tussen ‘n noue ontkoming en ’n gewone dag in Afrika
sukkel, was ek nie voor te vinde nie. Ek verduidelik toe aan die jagters dat indien die olifante so naby ons staan, dit ons eintlik baie sou help, want sien, die buffels sou meer gerus wees en nie na daardie kant toe kyk nie. Hulle het nie hierdie voordeel waardeer nie, en gaandeweg soos die olifante nader beweeg het, en mynsinsiens ons situasie verbeter het, hoe minder was die buffel jagters geinteresseërd in buffels. Ek het gefokus op die taak om ’n buffel te vind om te skiet, en het die olifante geignoreer. Toe die olifantbul, volgens die jagters, (jong bulletjie volgens my) 30 meter van ons, draai en nader kom, toe geld die demokratiese stem in die groep dat ons moet terugval. Ons was almal redelik lam, warm en moeg, maar met hierdie terugtrek aksie het energievlakke in die jagters aansienlik verhoog, en sukkel ek om by te bly! Die olifant het gestap tot waar ons gestaan het, op die grond rond gesnuffel, en weer terug gedraai na hul rus boom toe. Ek kon nie my groep oortuig dat dit ’n goeie plan was om weer terug te gaan na ons vorige posisie toe nie. Demokrasie seevier. BUFFELS SOEK Ons het later die dag weer gaan buffels bekruip. Vroeg in die namiddag het een jagter besluit om eerder te rus, en dat dit net mal mense was wat in sulke warm toestande buffels soek. Ek het saamgestem maar as gevolg van my posisie moes ek maar swyg. Die driemanskap was nou twee. Ek was ingenome, want toe sou ek stemming kon wen, en dit is makliker om een te oortuig van iets as twee. Dit was gelukkig nie nodig nie en die middag was ons suksesvol. “Hoe was die buffeljag? Het julle die dood trotseer?” Ek wonder wat hul antwoord sou wees!
“Success is getting what you want. Happiness is wanting what you get.” Dale Carnegie
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Training in Birding
Birdlife SA based in Phalaborwa presented a highly successful September course to trainers on Birding and through this to ultimately discover, “I am unique”! Warm thanks go out to the facilitators of this course, Morris Ngwenyama (photo top left) and Brenden Pienaar (photo left and above). The one-day course followed the basic steps to identify birds, namely, establishing: family group; size; bill size, shape and colour; legs and feet; plumage and markings; eye colour; behaviour and finally, habitat. Games (hilarious at times) were played, a slide show viewed, informative talks given and practical activity all formed part of a day’s work. The children then learnt from the trainers and through creative and clever activity the children mastered the skill of identifying a bird. The children were asked to attend in their recently acquired school uniforms. Each family group received an annual report to take home to their parents. What a treat!
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“We simply have to stop taking the Earth for granted. It is, after all, the only home we’ve got. It’s all ready late in the day, and the need is more urgent than ever for all of us, who live together on this planet to work together seriously in order to repair the damage we’ve done, and to deepen our understanding of what went wrong and why.” Richard Branson, Virgin Group
Focus on September training, the pictures tell the story
Each family group on the course and top students received a copy of the wellillustrated annual report filled with topical photographs.
If people destroy something replaceable made by humankind, they’re called vandals; if they destroy something irreplaceable made by God, they’re called developers.” Joseph W Krutch
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Seganyane Primary Grade VIIs CET attended endof-year celebrations at the three local schools it assists - see relevant story on page 12.
Matikinya Primary Grade VIIs
CET CEO, Zani Kunz (left in group above) is enthusiastic about the prospects for 2010. “We look forward to working with these three schools next year on existing and new projects. CET is also committed to assisting more schools. What with the desperate water situation, the start of sustainable vegetable projects have proved to be life saving and vital to the growth and well-being of the children,” says Zani.
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“A society is defined not only by what it creates, but also by what it refuses to destroy.” John Sawhill (former President & CEO - The Nature Conservancy)
Impact of elephant on nesting trees of vultures, eagles and ground hornbills by Sieglinde (Ziggy) Rode Elephants have been described as ecosystem engineers with an the ability to structurally modify the vegetation on which they feed. In recent years there has been much debate about the effect that elephant impact is having on the nesting trees of vultures, eagles and ground hornbills. One of the primary concerns has been the loss of tall trees in savanna ecosystems, which could be detrimental for certain tree nesting bird species. In order to address this issue, the Applied Behavioural Ecology and Ecosystems Research Unit (ABEERU) at UNISA and Save The Elephants - SA, started an impact study in 2008. From the aerial census data of the last six years, provided by Colin Rowles, vulture and eagle nesting sites within the Klaserie were identified. The ground hornbill nesting sites
have been monitored for a longer period as part of the existing ground hornbill project. These sites were visited for two consecutive years and the impact on the trees has been assessed. When looking at changes in habitat one should remember that these are ancient systems and a two-year study would only provide limited insight into the bigger picture. It is recommended when working with long lived species that one continually keeps monitoring in order to detect change. This study forms part of an MSc and the data is currently being analyzed. Results should be available in 2010 when the MSc is due for completion. If anyone reading this is interested and would want more information, please feel free to contact, Sieglinde (Ziggy) Rode on 083 299 8939.
The ‘far’ side of hyenas ... Many people get introduced to hyenas through wildlife DVDs, Internet and the media. On most occasions they are portrayed as blood thirsty predators and ruthless killers; in addition they are said to form part of the ugly five. But is there another side to the hyena? Here at Klaserie Camps we are fortunate to have an active hyena den nearby our house. The clan comprises ten individuals. These hyenas spent so much time at the waterhole and it is here where we experienced the other side of these animals. I remember one particular hot afternoon. We were viewing a a Currie Cup match on television at home when we
were ‘interrupted’ by all kinds of noises emerging from the waterhole. Just like youngsters, they were playing in and out of the water, with the older ones chasing, biting and bullying the younger ones. We had such a good time watching them until one of the adult females called them back to the den. Then there is also the side of destruction. In the early hours of one particular morning, we were awakened by the sounds of giggles and laughter. Two hyenas had got hold of one of my leopard tortoise shells and played with it as if it were a soccer ball. They kicked it around, bit it and even wrestled one another for it until Esti knocked on the sliding door, giving them a good fright. One night, the hyenas got hold of my hose pipe and chewed it into small pieces, the same hap-
by Pieter Dreyer
pened to our grass woven door mat, our bird feeder and some plastic plant pots on the stoep! They are also very curious and every time we stop to watch them, the youngsters will come up to the vehicle and start sniffing and nibbling, especially the tracker seat foot rest, tow bar, the tires, side mirrors, mud flaps and every now and then the chassis when they crawl underneath the game viewers knocking their heads as they explore. During the past two years, we got to the point where we know them almost individually. Surely there is more to them than meets the eye?
“If you want to gather honey, don’t kick over the beehive.” Dale Carnegie
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Mawuvana Primary School Grade 0 graduation
KPNR joins 16 days activism by Janice Rowles Some of you may have noticed and wondered why the Natal Mahogany tree in the Klaserie Nature Reserve parking area is clothed in white and red material and no, it is not our Christmas tree! This tree has been decorated in this fashion as a symbol of the Reserve’s support for the sixteen days of activism against women and child abuse in the Hoedspruit area. The white material wrapped around the tree represents the prevention of abuse against women and children in our country while the
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red material is in remembrance of all our people who have passed away from HIV AIDS. This Hlokomela-based and promoted idea is being celebrated from the 27th of November until the 10th of December 2009. The red and white clothed trees can also be seen in the Town of Hoedspruit. A five-kilometre march in support of the campaign was held on November the 27th. This parade started and ended at the Municipal building in Hoedspruit. All the Nomphilos from the various farms surrounding Hoedspruit took part in the march. If you see our symbol during this time please pause and consider this nationally supported campaign that is also relevant to our wonderful Reserve.
“Who are we? We find that we live on an insignificant planet of a humdrum star lost in a galaxy tucked away in some forgotten corner of a universe in which there are far more galaxies than people.” Carl Sagan
Dis wat ‘n mens nou noem, ‘voedselsekuriteit’ Artikel en foto’s deur Zani Kunz Meneer van der Schyff het my gekontak om te gaan kyk na die uitsonderlike groente tuin wat sy werkers op die been gebring het by die kamp. Daar aangekom het Amos, Ralph, Agnes en Aida (in foto, regs) vir my gewag om te spog met hulle tuin. Die tuin is toegekamp met ge-elektrifiseërde draad wat al die ongewenste diere uit hou. Naby die groentetuinhek is ‘n hoop kompos (foto onder), mengsel van Buffel-, rooibok- en olifant mis en blare.Die tuin is netjies en vol gesonde groente en vrugte: Uie, spinasie, tamatie, beet, spriet uie, rissies, papajas, mango, piesang (foto regs onder), lemoene, suurlemoen, mielies en grondboontjies. Dis ‘n uitstekende initatief geneem deur die Van der Schyff familie, die Mathebula’s is nou verseker van vars vrugte en groente dwars deur die jaar!
Final AIDS awareness day for the year The final HIV AIDS awareness day for 2009 was held on Friday the 4th of September 2009 at the Klaserie Nature Reserve Head Quarters.
ideas to designing their own T-Shirts and posters to be used in future awareness days. The staff enjoyed the day and are more supportive of Gladys, the KPNR care giver, they have realised that she is giving them good advice that has been learned from her monthly meetings at Hlokomela in Hoedspruit. Klaserie Nature Reserve Head Quarters handed out HIV Aids awareness pins to everyone that attended the meeting. After the meeting was closed the staff where provided with a lunch before departing to their various camps.
by Janice Rowles
The programme began with Elias Mnisi, KPNR staff member opening the meeting in prayer. Gladys, a KPNR staff member and Nomphilo, then welcomed everyone to the meeting. The group was broken up into smaller groups for group discussions. These smaller group discussions are more effective than speaking to a large group. During the group discussions a “One love” debate/ dialogue was held as well as discussion on why HIV AIDS is still spreading fast and the prevention of Multiple Concurrent Partners. Women were asked to be more careful, and both men and women were encouraged to have only one partner. Ideas for a project were discussed with the staff and they shared
“The universe is like a safe to which there is a combination, but the combination is locked up in the safe.” Peter de Vries
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CD for CET funds In an exciting new endeavour to raise funds for Children’s Eco Training in the Klaserie Private Nature Reserve, local wildlife sound recording team Derek and Sarah Solomon have produced a new sound CD entitled “Animals in Action” that should be available by the time of publication. The CD takes listeners through a typical day in the bushveld from dawn to dusk and includes recordings of large mammals such as lion, elephant and hyena as well as some amazing sounds of hippo bulls challenging one another on the edge of a dam. Typical bushveld birds and frogs are well represented in the lineup of high quality recordings. Copies of the CD can be purchased
through Children’s Eco Training. COST: R130 plus R10 packing and postage. To order email: Elmarie at Children’s Eco Training, her email address is ... elmarie@ecochildren.co.za. Opening special - prior Christmas purchase, R100 plus packing and postage. • Karen Randall [www.bushytale.com] skryf: “Ek het een van julle CD’s gekoop en was regtig beïndruk. Ek hou baie daarvan en die feit dat dit net die klanke van die bos is maak dit uniek!”
Plans afoot for • 2010 Clinic dates • more support Our unique Children’s Eco Training - CET - programme has maintained a vibrant relationship with local schools, a relationship we aim to continue growing going into 2010, writes CET CEO, Zani Kunz. We have attended end-of-year functions at the three schools we assist. The names of the three schools and the functions we attended follows: Matikinya Primary School the Grade 7 Leavers’ function[see page 8]; Seganyane Primary School, the Grade 7 leavers’ function [see page 8] and finally, the Mawuvana Primary School, the Grade 0’s graduation ceremony [see page 10]. Big tents were set up for these special occasions. The venues were graced with strikingly decorated tables while there was music and sound systems to enhance the quality of the performances. This all created a festive atmosphere. A feast of food was prepared for all the guests. Children drawn from all grades performed items in their home language and in English, these included choral, verse, poems, songs, traditional dancing and speeches. CET used the opportunities provided to give recognition to the most dedicated and successful ‘gardeners’ at the three schools. At the start of the year CET assisted these three schools with various needs and in return the schools embarked on greening projects. Twenty-six learners and 10 educators were selected by Winky Mokgope, CET Assistant. Winky visited the schools routinely to monitor and encourage the progress of the greening projects. The students each received a R250 voucher for a complete school uniform (from the kit-a-kid project) while teachers received CET caps. The group was also treated to a game drive on the CET truck in the Klaserie Private Nature Reserve. We look forward to working with these three schools next year on existing and new projects. CET is also committed to assisting more schools. What with the desperate water situation, the start of sustainable vegetable projects have proved to be life saving and vital to the growth and well-being of the children.
BushyTale, making children feel special “It was a hot day in the bushveld, not a cloud in sight. With just a glimpse of his backpack and tail, Bushytail disappeared behind a bush. He was on his way to see his friend Putamo the hippo, who recently learned a lesson about bullying. Suddenly he heard loud snoring in a nearby Marula tree. Bushytail knew that it was Mapuru, the slithery rock python. He tip-toed past the tree. At the waterhole he was surprised to see so many of his friends. Tula the giraffe was eating from the thorn trees on the side of the dam. Shonga the male lion was slowly approaching, whistling a tune. He seemed to be very lazy today. Bushytail sat down under a shady tree and took out his notebook and pen. He had so many secrets and stories to share.” So, that is how it all started. Bushytail loves to share all his adventures and secrets with kids. He writes letters to kids sharing all his adventures and amazing bush secrets hidden in tiny envelopes. He captivates kids’ imagination (and sometimes the adults’ too). To join BushyTale’s adventures go to www.bushytale.com or contact karen@bushytale.com / 082 979 1615.
Proudly produced in support of the ideals of the KPNR by: Zani Kunz, PO Box 1227, Hoedspruit 1380; Cell nr: 082 713 8778; Fax nr: 086 628 8733; Web address: www.ecochildren.co.za E-mail: zani@cet-kpnr.co.za - all correspondence welcome. 12