CHARITIES

To those of you who know me well, know I have a deep passion for wildlife and nature conservation. Given that my art is an expression of who I am, I felt it only to right to use my skills to contribute in some small way to another of my passions, anti-poaching initiatives in the lowveld. In simple terms, I want us to be able to live in balance (as much as possible), with our natural heritage and for all people to be able to enjoy and benefit from what our beautiful country has to offer. For more information, please feel free to email me: nadiareadthaele@gmail.com.

10% of all sales go to the Tintswalo Rhino Poaching Education Awareness Program.

Tintswalo Rhino Poaching Education Awareness Programme in the Manyeleti Game Reserve

It has always been part of Tintswalo’s culture and mission to engage and work with local communities by raising conservation and environmental awareness through educational campaigns, training workshops and participation in environmental and rhino campaigns run in the area. It is important to note that rhino-related matters are complex; there is no quick-fix to the current rate at which our rhino are being poached. For this reason, Tintswalo recognises the need to apply a long-term plan and work in a multi-layered way to address rhino poaching systematically. Tintswalo Safari Lodge aims to create awareness for the tourists and guests that visit the area and the lodge. Our main education programme involves the local surrounding communities, specifically the school children, on the rhino poaching crisis and how they can help if they notice anything in their community.

In conjunction with the local communities, Tintswalo Safari Lodge has joined forces with the South African Police Service and Mpumalanga Parks Board, to drive an educational awareness programme, targeting the school children in the local surrounding communities on the borders of the Manyeleti Game Reserve.

GOALS

1.       To develop and educate the youth and communities to protect our natural resources by creating an understanding of the relationship between the game reserve, eco-tourism and lodges, our natural heritage, the community and jobs, to have a sustainable future.

2.       To reach all Primary and High School pupils in all the schools in the surrounding communities of Welverdiend, Dixie, Utah, Thorndale, Tlhavekisa, Gottenberg, Hlalakahle, Hluvukani (Clare A & Clare B), Iglington and Seville.

OUR PURPOSE

1.       To safeguard Tourism Employment

2.       To educate the local community on the relationship between job protection, the decline of the rhino, the tourism industry and the impact this has on the local community, the Manyeleti and the lodges.

3.       To increase local and international awareness of the plight of the rhino and its effect on South African tourism industry and jobs.

4.       To assist in training, resulting in increased effectiveness of the environmental rangers, guides, trackers and scholars.

5.       To gain local and international recognition for the Manyeleti, Mpumalanga Parks, The South African Police Service and tourism products in the reserve, which include the lodges.

*Text provided by Tintswalo Lodges