Klaserie Chronicle 12 09-2009

Klaserie Chronicle Klaserie Kroniek No: 12; September 2009

Ruby anniversary 1969 - 2009 for Klaserie Private Nature Reserve Story by Janice Rowles

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aturday July 11 was a red-letter day for the KPNR as the Reserve held its 40th Annual General Meeting. It was a celebratory occasion as this Reserve has evolved into one of the top reserves of its kind in the country.

Each member in attendance was presented with two khaki peak caps embroidered with “Klaserie Nature Reserve” and the dates 1969 - 2009 in celebration of the Reserve’s 40 years. Caps are still available at Motlasedi Shop for R50.00 each.

After business matters of the Reserve had been taken care of, guest speaker Professor Phil Hockey gave an informative presentation on the Percy FitzPatrick Institute of African Ornithology. The Reserve Warden, Colin Rowles, provided a summary of the changes that have taken place in the Reserve over the past 18 years.

The members were then served a sumptuous three-course luncheon, seated at tables draped in orange and wine coloured organza and fresh orange roses arranged with fynbos flown in from the Cape for the occasion. Each table was presented with complimentary bottles of red and white wine.

The Reserve’s previous Warden, Erwin Leibnitz and his wife Jenny were invited guests at the Reserve’s celebration. Mr Daantjie Du Preez who was one of the Klaserie Private Nature Reserve’s founder members was also invited as a special guest for the occasion.

Photographs, above and below: What can beat Fynbos, good food and good wine accompanied by fine camaraderie in a bushveld setting?

Childrens Eco Training CEO, Zani Kunz with Daantjie Du Preez and CET Project Assistant Elmarie van Heerden at the KPNR AGM in July.

For 200 years we’ve been conquering Nature. Now we’re beating it to death. ~ Tom McMillan, quoted in Francesca Lyman, The Greenhouse Trap, 1990

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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

This specific Chronicle, to me, is the ultimate celebration of the 40 years of the KPNR. Each page reflects joy, love and appreciation for the contributions of the members of the KPNR and other wonderful people out there who made it possible to make a difference to hundreds of children’s lives. With the money for the meat and the goodwill of the people, ‘Do-itDay’ was made possible; school uniforms were sponsored and in the meantime Colin, Gustav and their team made sure that life in the bush goes on, undisturbed, to celebrate spring once again. Thank-you for your co-operation and charitableness. Hier in die Klaserie kook dit! Ons waardeer julle vrygewigheid en vriendelikheid.

Donor conveys best wishes for CET Letter from Mary and Werner Berger: Dear Zani ...Many thanks indeed for keeping us abreast with the developments on your side.

We are happy to see that our little donation was of help to you and the children. We wish you continued success with your project.

We will surely hear again about your activities from our friends Rainer and Ursula.

Wish you all the best. Kind regards.

MDLULI HIGH SCHOOL Enq: Sethole MK Malangana RP Cell: 0729665247 / 0835435079

P/BAG X 1415 HLUVUKANI 1363

Motto: “EDUCATION IS THE KEY TO A BRIGHT FUTURE TO: THE MANAGEMENT ZANI’S ECO TRAINING LETTER OF APPRECIATION Learners, Educators at Mdluli High School together with Hlayise Tourism Academy would like to thank Zani’s Eco training team and other staff members including the management of Klaserie Private Nature Reserve for the wonderful opportunity that was given to us during the school holidays.

It was an honour to be selected as a school to attend the Training. The training was exceptional as the learners were involved in all the activities that were planned for the day. Through their involvement you made them not to forget whatever was done there.

Learners enjoyed the game drive and can’t stop relating to fellow learners about what they saw, impalas, zebras and one of the big five i.e. the rhinoceros We further anticipate interacting with you in the near future.

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Welcome Mufula (Marula) Alastair Wood, Bruce Jenkins and Mike Anderson hosted a drinks party on the evening prior to the AGM. It was held at the new camp on Fife/Du Preez which now goes by the name of Mufula, Venda for the Marula tree. The occasion provided a welcome opportunity for people to become acquainted (some even with their neighbours!), given that members and their families are rarely in the Reserve at the same time. All felt that the event should be repeated yearly in future - venue and timing to be agreed.

Ashleigh’s pact to make a difference Ashleigh Beal (in photo below) writes: During the August holidays I spent two days with Zani Kunz at Children’s Eco Training. We visited two schools in the Acornhoek-Bushbuckridge area, Seganyane Primary School and Mawuvana Primary School.

Seeing the conditions the schools are in made me realise how lucky I actually am.

When we arrived at Seganyane, we looked at the incredible vegetable garden and the floors in the classrooms which had just been redone.

Zani told the teachers about a day which is planned in September, where the children and teachers will get down and dirty and do some gardening.

At Mawuvana we had a meeting with the teachers, and discussed the “do-it-day” which will involve fixing the desks, windows and sorting out the hundreds of text books in the storage room.

The experiences I had over the two days were life altering for me. In the near future I am determined to go and help out with the organization because I want to make a difference in at least one person’s life.

Thank you for your invitation. I will definitely be visiting in the next holidays I have!

“Life is a gift, and it offers us the privilege, opportunity, and responsibility to give something back by becoming more” Anthony Robbins [quote selected by CET CEO Zani Kunz]

Aerial antics ...

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n the field of wildlife conservation, certain management activities require the use of a diverse range of aircraft and any manager of a protected area will, during his career, endure many hours in a cockpit of various flying contraptions. Most flying experiences across these vast African landscapes are pleasurable but every now and again something happens that reminds you that if you were meant to fly, you would have been born with wings.

During the early 1990s the use of an aircraft was permitted to locate protocol compliant elephant bulls for professional hunting.

I spent many hours with an experienced professional hunter and pilot in search of elephants, we flew many hours and hunted many good elephants together. The biggest disadvantage of our relationship was the fact that we were both partially deaf from years of exposure to gun fire. This presented a problem when he was flying and had to communicate with the air traffic controllers ATCs. His plane was fitted with an open intercom radio system which meant that everyone in the aircraft could hear the conversation. The engine noise some times made it difficult to hear what the ATC was saying and he often used to ask me for confirmation of specific instructions, between us and with some guess work we mostly kept the ATCs happy.

On one very cold winter’s morning while flying in his Cessna 172 way up in the north of the Reserve, we spotted a bull amongst some Mopani trees far below. In order to assess the bull’s suitability for hunting we needed to descend to tree tops and circle him a few times. The pilot/outfitter pushed forward on the yoke and the Cessna nose-dived Messerschmitt style from 500 feet.

As we reached the bottom of the dive and leveled out to circle, the engine coughed and spluttered a few times. I looked across for answers, his only words were “We’ve got Sh’t” as he grabbed levers and pushed buttons on the dash. I sat forward on the front of my seat in an effort to hold the plane in the sky and away from the trees that were rushing past just below undercarriage. I had visions of Mopani worms being splattered on the windscreen if we dropped any lower.

Just then the coughing and spluttering stopped and with the yoke up against his chest the pilot nursed the plane towards the heavens, I glanced at the altimeter and was relieved to see that the gap between us and terra firma was increasing.

We climbed to a safe altitude ...

With the consent of air traffic control we climbed to a safe altitude and headed for the strip at Incheni gate. Had we lost the engine at this altitude we could have chosen one of many strips to glide down to.

We landed safely at Incheni and proceeded to discuss the probable cause of the problem. It was agreed that carb icing had occurred during the rapid descent, the cold air flow apparently causes the carburettor

Colin Rowles reminisces to ice over stalling the engine.

Another experience comes to mind when we were again searching for elephant bulls to hunt. This time we were flying with a Maule, a small two seater tail dragger aircraft. This plane’s wooden frame is covered with fabric, it is extremely light KPNR Warden, and has an immensely powerful engine.

Colin Rowles The pilot in this case was as interesting writes ... as his plane. He had a death wish and a wooden leg which was a bit shorter than the other. To enable him to reach the plane’s rudder pedals he had a shoe which remained in the cockpit; it had a piece of plank nailed underneath to extend his reach. He would put this shoe on when he climbed in and throw the other shoe out the door before takeoff.

The take-off in this plane was always hair-raising. Being a tail dragger one would sit in the cockpit and not be able to see the runway ahead as the large, extended engine was in the way.

The pilot would crank the engine up to peak revs and release the brake, the plane would lurch down the runway which was always dirt. One moment one would be heading straight and the next one would be heading for the trees at the edge of the runway then the plane would spin around and face the other way as the small tail wheel would get stuck in the small eroded gullies that dictated the direction.

Angry Wildebeest pawing Only when you were at top speed and halfway down the runway would the tail lift enabling you to see the runway and the angry Wildebeest bull pawing the ground in defense of his territory for the first time.

When this happened all prescribed rules relating to aerodynamics and flight were tested to the max in an effort to avoid a collision.

The beauty of this plane was that it could fly very slowly and what a lovely experience it was to fly in the cold, first light of dawn.

The thumping noise became progressively louder The peace and quiet was disrupted one morning when a loud thumping sound suddenly came from the wing overhead.

I was terrified, but the mad pilot calmly stretched his legs and unzipped the fabric above his window. From my seat I could see right down the inside of the wing. The pilot remarked that he could not see anything wrong, zipped up the wing and settled back into his seat again. The thumping noise became progressively louder to the point where I was pointing out every possible place to land.

My persistence paid off and after the “As we reached the bottom of usual circus act that goes with take-off and landing we were back on the ground. the dive and leveled out to It was determined that a long rubber seal circle, the engine coughed and had popped out from around the fuel filler spluttered a few times. I looked cap on the wing and this was beating on across for answers, his only the wing. The dislodged seal was clipped words were “We’ve got sh.t” off with a Leatherman and we took off to continue the survey.

The activist is not the man who says the river is dirty. The activist is the man who cleans up the river. ~ Ross Perot

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Newly formed Eco Club a hit The newly formed Eco Club at work (see photo on the right). On June 27 a group of 40 arrived at the KPNR for an interactive ‘course’ on the spoor and dung to be found around the Janovsky Dam, a place known to have a diverse variety of what was needed to conduct the course.

CET - Children’s Eco Training - and the Eco Club have become firm friends and this was a way to reciprocate the bonds of fellowship. The group met at HQ where they clambered aboard the CET game drive vehicle for a short excursion to the Janovsky Dam where the ‘training’ took place. Two CET trainers, Jimmy Mathebula and Ronald Moropane, accompanied the group and shared their bush knowledge and skills.

Birdlife SA also joined the group and assisted with identification of birdlife..

Readers interested in the activities of the Eco Club are invited to contact Derek and Sarah Solomon at info @kuyimba.com.

Here follows a brief description of the Eco Club’s reason for being ...

MISSION To provide a forum through which people come together to share their knowledge, interests and to encourage a love of the natural environment in the community.

WHAT WE DO We are an informal non-profit interest group that organizes monthly meetings and outings, currently on the last weekend of each month.

Meetings take the form of an evening talk or presentation at Southern Cross Schools Resources Centre on a diverse range of topics of an environmental nature. Outings will be undertaken to various venues in the Hoedspruit area.

Participation is open to everyone.

WHO WE ARE The committee comprises: Richard Braun, Hugh Preston, Derek and Sarah Solomon, Dave and Bernie Spencer.

••• Children’s Eco Training - KPNR - says thank-you too, to Grey SA (Pty) Ltd for the generous donation received.

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Children’s Eco Training relies heavily on support from likeminded supporters of training for a sustainable Planet for future generations. MYGr8 Safaris are new partners and monthly donors to CET. MYGr8 Safaris was approached to introduce themselves to readers of the Klaserie Chronicle ...

“The internationally recognized blueprint of standards, service and professionalism set by McFarlane Safaris over the last 30 years is being migrated into other regions, under the new corporate identity of MYGr8 Safaris. This corporate is committed to community initiatives including the training of guides to assist in their range of tours and safaris, which include lodge transfers and day tours. MYGr8 Safaris presently operate throughout the Lowveld and into Mozambique and recently opened a new Safari Lounge facility at KMI Airport. In addition, their services as a Destination Management Company, in arranging and managing conferences and incentives, are also well respected in the events industry. MYGr8 Safaris are proud to be associated with and are committed sponsors of CET.” McFARLANE SAFARIS - migrate to MYGr8! ...

PS: Don’t forget about our NEW EXCLUSIVE LOUNGE facility at KMIA! McFARLANE SAFARIS Reservations: (+27) 015 793 3002 (Hoedspruit) Tel: (+27) 015 793 3000 (Hoedspruit) Tel: (+27) 013 750 0521 (KMIA) Fax: (+27) 015 793 3003 P.O. Box 543, Hoedspruit ,1380.

E-mail :reservations @mygr8.net Website:www.mygr8.net

Why should man expect his prayer for mercy to be heard by what is above him when he shows no mercy to what is under him? ~ Pierre Troubetzkoy

KPNR unreservedly embraces Do-it-Day

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help on his own – his kids attend the school. e at CET recently identified a need in addition to the priority of envi by Zani Kunz CET CEO Nikiwe, a KPNR ranger’s wife and CET kitchen assistant arrived to help on the day. Gomo ronmental education amongst the Gomo donated money and more. youth in rural areas. It is a need to reach out Volunteers got their hands dirty by planting, painting, putting and support infrastructural development or reconstruction in underdeveloped areas in respect of resources and materials at in windows, restoring and fixing desks, replacing desk tops and surprising the school with new shelves in the storeroom. schools where the need is greatest.

Through the ‘Do it Day’ initiative of Greater Good SA, we had a very successful and rewarding day at Mawuvana Primary School on Friday, 18 September 2009. CET with the help of Klaserie Private Nature Reserve, volunteers and businesses in the area helped in making a difference at Mawuvana Primary School. Elmarie van Heerden and Winky Mokgope of CET were the main organizers of this successful day.

The school is attended by many of the employees of the KPNR and is currently attended by most of the CET children.

Mawuvana wallowed in desperate need of much maintenance and attention. With the help of the community we DID IT – we improved the harsh conditions at this school.

The KPNR provided four helpers with the necessary tools. CET trainers, Elvis Mathebula, Thabo Mahangane, and Ronald Moropane were there. Frank from Matamani camp volunteered to

This hard work and incredible change within a short space of time gave the school new hope and a sense of belonging and pride.

Children’s Eco Training and Mawuvana Primary School would like to thank all volunteers and sponsors, who assisted in making this an awesome experience.

We appreciate all your time and any donations you may have invested in this project.

You DID IT – You made this day a huge success. A special thanks to: Klaserie Private Nature Reserve (Main Sponsor); Gomo Gomo; Mica; Lowveld Building Supplies; The Waterhole; Spar; Honey Suckle; Glass Planet; Bavaria; Campfire Safaris; Johan du Preez; Bertie Vorster; Hennalie Steyn; Willem van der Nest; Johan van Zyl; Gert Rautenbach; Wouter & Annamarie de Vos; Ammie Minnaar; Chris & Barbara Huddle; Jaco & Ilonca Craukamp; Theo Sauerman; Auto Doctor; Maliflora; Zani Kunz (Children’s Eco Training CEO) AND everyone who lent us tools, grinders and drills for the day!

Every day is Earth Day. ~ Author Unknown

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Ontdek Norms en Waardes ...

Hierdie twee bladsye (6 en 7) is gewei aan foto’s wat geneem is tydens die opleidings kursus gehou in Junie/Julie vanjaar.

Foto links: Trico blinddoek vir Stanford om die landmyn aktiwiteit te voltooi en regs ... ’n trotse leerling met ’n suksesvolle inkleur raaisel voltooi.

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CET HUB, Zani Kunz verduidelik die swewende stok (floating stick) konsep aan die onderwysers.

Die groep het hul taak suksesvol voltooi – elkeen pas in die beperkte ruimte toegeken.

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Ronald Moropane met sy kruiwa geskep uit A5 papier, ‘n strootjie en kleeflint.

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We’re finally going to get the bill for the Industrial Age. If the projections are right, it’s going to be a big one: the ecological collapse of the planet. ~ Jeremy Rifkin, World Press Review, 30 December 1989

... deur Probleem Oplossing Nog foto’s wat geneem is tydens die opleidings kursus gehou in Junie/ Julie vanjaar.

Foto regs ... Links!!!

Vorentoe!!! PASOP die landmyn!!

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Discovering Norms and Values through Problem Solving Met spanwerk moet elkeen deur die spinnerak kom sonder om aan die drade te raak! Foto onder: Vertroue, kommunikasie en deursettingsvermoe is hier nodig!

Die onderwysers besig om ‘n bande piramiede raaisel op te los.

In an underdeveloped country, don’t drink the water; in a developed country, don’t breathe the air. ~ Changing Times magazine

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Three white for two black rhino barter Story by Colin Rowles

“The snoring giant (above) was given a thorough examination before all personal vehicles and equipment were removed from the scene ... [Dr Uys] left the rhino to regain full consciousness, stumble to its feet and begin to enjoy its new found freedom (below).”

Following the highly successful re-introduction of White Rhino into Klaserie during the late 1970’s, the thought of introducing Black Rhino to our environment had often been entertained.

Thoughts turned into reality early this year when the APNR was presented with a proposal to exchange three White Rhino for two Black Rhino bulls.

Following an eight-hour journey from Swaziland the two crated Black Rhino bulls arrived in the reserve late at night on the 24th of April. An official from the Mpumalanga department of veterinary services inspected and removed the crate seals while a tone of muscular fury crashed around inside, obviously the tranquillizers that had kept them calm for the journey had started to wear off and the new smells carried on the wind made them anxious to explore their new domain.

The truck with its precious cargo and prehistoric looking crane was escorted through the bush to the pre-selected release sites.

With the crate off-loaded, Dr Andre Uys, the responsible veterinarian, administered a dose of M99 to anaesthetize the rhino who continued to test the strength of the crate. Just before total anaesthesia set in and with an anchor rope secured to the rear leg, the sliding door was raised and the bull stumbled out and fell to its knees in a deep sleep.

Administered antidote by torch light The snoring giant was given a thorough examination before all personal vehicles and equipment were removed from the scene. Dr. Uys remained, with his vehicle close by and administered the antidote by torch light, he then listened as the breathing intensity of the animal indicated its almost full recovery, at this point he left the rhino to regain full consciousness, stumble to its feet and begin to enjoy its new found freedom.

Later that night the second bull was successfully released at a different site a few kilometres away.

Annual R eport May

Readers are urged to supply contact details, postal and e-mail addresses of interested parties and shareholders, to enable us to forward the Klaserie Chronicle, the annual report and electronic newsletters. CET contact details are on Page 12.

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2008

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April

2009

The Children’s Eco Training (CET) annual report for the financial year 1 May 2008 to 30 April 2009 is now available. If you have not received a report and would like us to send you a copy, please contact Zani [Details at foot of page 12]. The audited financial statements are available upon request.

The human spirit needs places where nature has not been rearranged by the hand of man. ~ Author Unknown

The nature of life and traits of animals Story by Judy Meeser Animals live in groups just as we as humans do but they choose different group structures according to their life-styles.

Certain animals are solitary in nature, think of the Grey Duiker and the old “dugga boys” (buffalo bulls). In fact it is common for the adult males of almost every species to be solitary for periods of time. Truly solitary animals live in territories that they actively defend and no other individual of that species is allowed to enter. These animals give up their isolation for a short while during mating and then again while rearing their young. They then separate and the female is entirely responsible for the rearing of the young. Black and white rhino are considered solitary as are leopard, caracal and serval.

Where the parental duties are too much for a single parent, male and female will bond together as a pair and share the responsibility. Together they will defend their territory, hunt and provide for the young. Many bird species are pairs and are monogamous in response to the high incubation and feeding demands of the young. Mammals like klipspringer, steenbok and some species of duiker will sometimes pair up while under different circumstances they are solitary. Jackals are thought to be monogamous. It is interesting to note that in monogamous animals there is very little sexual dimorphism (i.e.: the male and female are similar in appearance.) If there is some dimorphism then it is likely that the female is bigger than the male.

Springbuck nursery in the Nossob Riverbed.

[Picture provided by Patrick Seeton] with the family when the young are born. In wild dogs the pack consisting of the extended family then provides for the lactating mother and her pups. This larger pack will be able to bring down larger prey and thereby ensure the survival of the pups.

The grouping referred to as a harem is far more common in mammals than pairs or families. We are all familiar with the single male impala controlling a large number of females during the rutting season. When his harem gets too big to control he loses splinter groups to other males hanging about on the outskirts of his territory. During a single rutting season the harem master may change a few times when he is ousted by a fresh stronger male. The harem in Impala dissolves at the end of the mating season while that of the Burchell’s Zebra is more permanent and the harem master is seldom challenged while he is fit enough to defend his harem.

The males are allowed into the group to mate

A matriarchy is the form of grouping found in elephants and hyenas. The basic social unit is made up of females with the males on the outskirts. The males are allowed into the group to mate and then leave either voluntarily or are driven off.

Within elephants the largest and oldest cow in the herd will determine the rate and direction of movement of the herd.

She and her off spring will form the core of the group and when it becomes too big, a second herd will form and remain closely associated to the original family occasionally joining up and splitting again.

In hyena clans the females who are bigger than the males, compete for rank and food.

There is little or no cooperation between clan females and The grouping referred to as a harem During the time that a pair have young with them they even though cubs are raised in a communal den not even become a family, merely an extension of the pair. Occasion- close relatives will cross-suckle off spring.

A complicated social grouping called an oligarchy is used ally there are overlapping litters and older offspring are still by troops of baboons. Here the power lies with a group of dominant males. A troop of baboons can often be seen foraging in the same area daily; the home range. The troop is dominated by a gang of elite males who share females and offspring and together form a formidable barrier against would be predators and the bachelor parties that are constantly trying to steal females from the troop.

It rings of a red light district somewhere

Jackals are thought to be monogamous. “It is interesting to note that in monogamous animals there is very little sexual dimorphism (the male and female are similar in appearance.) If there is some dimorphism then it is likely that the female is bigger than the male.” [Picture provided by Patrick Seeton]

One particularly comical grouping is the all male, arena or lek. This is an area where males congregate in the breeding season, all resplendent in their breeding plumage strutting their stuff while prospective buyers, the females attend the lek and select the male that most appeals to her. It rings of a red light district somewhere where the roles are reversed!

Many semi nomadic species like Dwarf Mongoose and Cape Hunting Dogs have a system where only the alpha male and Female of the group will breed and the entire group will contribute to their unbringing. Many species of birds will do the same- here it called co-operative breeding. Arrow marked babblers and Green Hoepoos ( Red billed wood hoopoes) as well as White helmeted shrikes and Red Billed Helmeted Shrikes.

Climb up on some hill at sunrise. Everybody needs perspective once in a while, and you’ll find it there. ~ Robb Sagendorph

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HIV/AIDS/TB awareness acted out in dramatic style The HIV AIDS Tuberculosis Awareness Day held at Headquarters on Friday, April 3wasopenedwithprayerbyThembaMgwena.

story by Janice Rowles, and photographs by Gustav Roux

All the camp staff and KPNR staff were welcomed by Mr Eric Manyike who also welcomed the Hlokomela staff to the Reserve and thanked them for the educational opportunity that they were giving everyone to further their understanding of HIV AIDS and Tuberculosis.

Teenage from Hlokomela and Gladys Ngwenya, KPNR’s Nomphilo also welcomed any staff that may be suffering with HIV and AIDS. Once everyone had been welcomed to the meeting Henry, Jabu, Themba and Hildah enthralled the staff with a drama relating to a 21-year-old farm labourer who contracted Tuberculosis. As the drama unfolds the staff are educated on the symptoms of Tuberculosis and how and where they can receive treatment, with the emphasis being that treatment is available free of charge from the HQ staff and Camp staff listen attentively to a local government clinic.

The staff were then also advised of multi drug resistant Tuber- presentation on HIV AIDS, whereafter it is question time ... culosis and how important it is to complete a full course of medication to prevent resistant Tuberculosis.

Following the drama the staff were treated to a lunch and invited to receive free voluntary HIV AIDS testing. Following the proceedings all the attendants returned to their respective camps.

Our thanks once again to Mike Myers and partners for the use of their Charloscar camp as the venue.

Clinic now held twice a month

by Janice Rowles The KPNR Clinic, located at Headquarters, now provides a primary health care service to Reserve residents twice a month.

The philosophy is that if we can treat the smaller ailments and control the more serious health issues through monitoring we can keep the staff healthier, happier and in a position to carry out their work in a healthy environment. The clinic costs just R10.00 per person for a consultation and medication.

The clinic sister has been concerned with a number of staff who have serious health issues, these staff require twice monthly check ups.

Together with the clinic sister we will be preparing a clinic note that will confirm that your staff have attended the clinic and if they suffer from more serious health problems will show their next check up date. The clinic sister has, on occasion, referred staff to doctors and hospitals for the more serious problems that require treatments. The clinic dates for the rest of the year are as follows, please encourage your staff to make use of this service.

• September 2009: Wednesday 9th and Wednesday 23rd • October 2009: Wednesday 14th and Wednesday 28th • November 2009: Wednesday 11th and Wednesday 25th • December 2009: Wednesday 9th and Wednesday 23rd

At the presentation, from left: Hilda (Hlokomela), Tinos (KPNR HQ staff), Themba (Hlokomela), Gladys (KPNR Nompilo), Jabu (Hlokomela), Teenager (Hlokomela), In front are two of the KPNR staff.

Themba holds a group discussion centred around respect for older people.

Don’t blow it - good planets are hard to find. ~ Quoted in Time

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‘Respect’, a part of norms and values

Amazing what CET can achieve ... with a little help from our friends, Jana Huysamer and Natasha Smit, in photo right, assisting with the catering side of things.

Norms and values form the basis of this year’s training sessions. At the March/April session the emphasis was placed on respect; self-respect and the effect of one’s actions; emotions and behaviour on the people around one; one’s immediate environment; and the ultimate effect globally.

Continued on Page 12...

• In recognition of skills development •

As part of the Klaserie Private Nature Re- were shiny and ironed their uniforms to look their best to proudly serve’s skills development programme a number of staff collect their certificates from the Reserve Chairman Mike Myers members underwent training during 2008. In addition to the skills development training the staff also attended ABET classes each day during the past year. Staff that had attended courses and had passed their level one ABET, were awarded their certificates in recognition of this and their achievements at the recent AGM in July 2009. The staff buffed their shoes until they

and Reserve Warden Colin Rowles. In the photo from left to right are the following staff seen with their certificates. Emily Sedibe, Nikiwe Monareng, Betuel Mbhambo, Freddy Manyike, George Mnisi, Elias Mnisi, Inector Makhubela, Kimbily Ngwenya, Lemson Monareng, Reuben Motloutsi, Eckson Malebe, James Mhangana, Hendrick Mnisi, Ruth Ntungwa, Constance Thabane.

(Caption by Janice Rowles, photo Colin Rowles.)

We never know the worth of water till the well is dry. ~Thomas Fuller, Gnomologia, 1732

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‘Respect’, a part of norms and values

Amazing support received for Kit-a-Kid by Zani Kunz CET CEO We believe that self confidence gives you the power to excel. To empower these children to carry out our vision, they need first of all to believe in themselves.

The training theme of in April focused on self-respect. This led to the revelation that the children attending the workshops did not have school clothing, a basic necessity, as they have to attend schools in Acornhoek and Hoedspruit. We set the ball rolling and funds were raised to kit out these children.

The target was to clothe 147 children at a cost of R36 750. Through the kind assistance of Pep Acornhoek Plaza, we managed to secure a complete uniform: shirt, trousers/skirt, socks, shoes and a jersey at R250 per child.

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We received an overwhelming response from members of the Klaserie Private Nature Reserve, friends and managers of KPNR, friends and family of CET, corporates, Trusts and anonymous ‘friends’. The significant amount of R68 819,77 was raised. The balance of the money raised will reside in the Uniform Account to be used for similar projects in future.

Thank-you, thank-you, thank-you to all for your generous donations. I trust you have received your “adopted” child/ children in the mail I sent you – if not, please contact me: Africa on Foot, Aucamp, Bach, Beal, Boustred, Carstens, Detert, Dold, Ferguson; Finningley Estates, Fraser, Friend, Gomo Gomo lodge, Howson, HR Cover, Huysamer; Janovsky, Jenkins, Koepke, Louw Roome & Ass, Luus, M Anderson, Macaskill, Mahlangeni Estates, Makumu, Musgrave, Myers, Nel, Otto, Pappin, Ras, Rodseth; Ruest, Rutowitz, Schmid, Schuld, Senalala, Smith, Spar Lowveld, The Davies Foundation Trust, Ueckermann, Uys, Van der Schyff, Van Staden, Van Staden, Von der Heyde, Wilkes, Wood, Wyss.

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During school visits we met Lodrick Mathebula, a chef at Royal Legends Lodge, who does training for children and adults in hospitality courses. Being interested in our projects he approached us and wanted to send the top hospitality and tourism students with their educators of Mdluli High School (see page 2 letter) to our training. Two Educators and 11 students attended the training.

Odette Schuld of Executive Chefs was introduced to the hospitality educators through us and she will be assisting them with the curriculum.

We are excited about this link as it might be an opportunity for our post CET students to attend courses during the holidays in the hospitality and tourism industry.

In total 169 children attended the training over the four days. We were happy to welcome the Gomo Gomo children.

Deon Huysamer’s daughter, Jana Huysamer, a grade 7 student did part of her Leadership programme for school.

It entails: 10 hours of community service outside school; 40 hrs during school hours; a new skill; organizing an event; and a physical achievement. She and a friend, Natasha Smit, successfully completed the 10 hours of community service.

Karen Randall, the creator of Bushy Tales, wrote a special article for the training with the focus on self worth and self respect. She paid a visit to the training and also had an interview with the trainers to get more Bushy Tales.

The trainers and their camps will be mentioned when she uses the information.

Sincere appreciation to ... Nelia van der Westhuyzen who donated special pens. SPAR donated Easter eggs.

Friends of CET donated boxes full of magazines. It was a fountain of wisdom.

During the year we received cash donations from various sources and used the money on flip files for the children with high attendance ratings.

The files hold birth certificate, attendance register, indemnity form, attendance certificates, previous work books and other interesting articles.

Thank you to KPNR HQ staff, members and managers for your loyal and invaluable assistance.

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.