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Children Carry on the Legacy of Conservation with the Baton of Hope

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The Eastern Cape has seen great success in rhino conservation in recent years, however, in the first few months of 2023 the region experienced the highest rate of rhino poaching in history.

Overall, in South Africa rhino populations are on the decline with poachers relentlessly targeting the Kruger National Park and KZN. “There are regional success stories, I would say the Eastern Cape has been one of those, but as a country we are losing the fight,” says renowned veterinarian Dr William Fowlds, “Overall, the numbers are most definitely declining and that puts them on a pathway to extinction. If we don’t continue to look at this problem holistically, and even more so from a nationwide strategic perspective, rhino will continue down this trajectory into extinction”.

September is Heritage and Tourism Month and One Land Love It (OLLI) kicks off their annual OLLIMove this World Rhino Day, 22 September 2023. They maintain that it is the “ordinary people” of the world who facilitate change for the better. “It is not enough to care, we have to ‘MOVE from caring, to doing’. To give expression to this principle, we encourage people to participate in any event (organised or private, big or small) on World Rhino Day – an outpouring of solidarity for our rhino and other threatened species,” says Wayne Bolton, OLLI Founder.

In 2022, Bolton, completed his cycle from Swakopmund in Namibia to Gqeberha in SA finishing at the Donkin Reserve on World Rhino Day. He carried with him the ‘Baton of Hope’ in the shape of a rhino horn made up of separate parts. Each of these was passed to different endurance athletes who went on to complete inspiring moves for rhino including: Sharon Jessop’s run to Kruger National Park, Jenni Gault’s climb to Everest Base Camp, Andrew Stewart’s Cape Recife swim and Steven Lancaster’s Everesting of Lady Slipper. The Baton’s journey highlights activism in the Eastern Cape and the tenacity and determination of South Africans to take up the fight to save our rhino, which represents our natural heritage and the lifeblood of tourism.

OLLI is determined that extinction cannot be our legacy and on World Rhino Day 2023 the ‘Baton of Hope’ will be passed into the hands of children from five primary schools who will support OLLI’s conservation goals of educating, raising awareness, conservation community outreach, raising funds for direct rhino support and celebrating rhino.

The schools represented are Collegiate Junior School for Girls, Clarendon Park Primary School, Westering Primary School, Woodridge Preparatory School and Grey Junior School. In the coming year these children will lead the way, demonstrating a collaborative move from caring to doing.

It is fitting that Nyosi Wildlife Reserve, home of CCFA (Community Conservation Fund Africa), is hosting the launch of this initiative. The conservation legacy of Mr Adrian Gardiner that forms Nyosi’s foundation, and the future that this urban park promises, resonates with the message of passing on the baton to our youth. “World Rhino Day is a very special day to me, because without my dear friend, the conservationist Dr Ian Player, there might not be rhinos left to protect. What he achieved for rhinos in the 60s through Operation Rhino is incredible and we hope to continue his legacy. Together with our partners, the Issroff family, we hope that we can turn Nyosi Wildlife Reserve into a safe haven for rhinos to thrive for our future generations.” Mr Adrian Gardiner (Chairman of the CCFA).

“While our children represent the future, by empowering them in the present, we are placing seeds of hope in their hands with confident expectation of a brighter tomorrow,” Nikki Bolton (OLLI Director).

One Land Love It Directors Andrew Stewart and Wayne Bolton, are also launching their ‘FIVE4ONE’ OLLIMove, a long-term challenge which will see them completing five significant cycling events to raise funds and create awareness for one species, our rhino. There are opportunities to support them or to participate in the same events (see www.waynebolton.co.za).

Valley Crag Indoor Climbing Centre are hosting their third Forever Rhino Rally, a 24-hour Everesting traversing challenge, in support of the OLLIMove on the 24th and 25th of September. OLLI is also a beneficiary of the Coast to Craft, a 6km Zsports fun run from Something Good Roadhouse to Bridge Street Brewery on the 25th September. These are opportunities for the public to make a move for rhino.

You can register your move on the dedicated website www.move.oneland.co.za or join the OLLI Strava Club to make your move count. Challenge your family, friends and colleagues to get involved and donate towards initiatives to protect our rhino.

Children to take the Baton and Save Rhinos

“Westering Primary School’s parents, learners and staff endeavour to create a safe and loving environment where our children are constantly challenged by excellent and relevant teaching, so that they can have hope for a better future and the South African rhino is part of that future, we are proud to be supporting the Olli project. Anyone can be an Eco-Superhero.” Jason Wright

“Collegiate Junior has supported One Land Love It over the last few years, and it was a natural progression for our school to take up the Baton of Hope cause for rhino conservation. Our school motto is ‘Facta non Verba’ meaning ‘Deeds not words’ and OLLI’s slogan is ‘moving from caring to doing’, which connects beautifully with the service ethos of our school. By creating awareness of the plight of rhinos through art, culture, sport, music, we hope to make a difference in the coming year.” Robyn Bentley

“Woodridge Prep are so excited to be participating in this exciting initiative. Providing opportunities for our young learners to be active participants in change and to provide our learners with advocacy and a voice in the field of conservation is so exciting. The Baton of Hope is certainly something that will not only allow our learners to be exposed to a critical environmental issue but provide them with a positive view in what being a part of the solution looks like and highlighting the importance of collective efforts and the power of UBUNTU.” Cliff Reed

“It is very exciting that Grey Junior is a part of this far-reaching project. Rhino populations face daily threats. Educating our boys about their conservation, then involving them in the decision-making process to DO something about it, is a meaningful way to train conservationists of the future. We are inspired by the words of The Lorax in the book of the same name by Dr Seuss: ‘UNLESS someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not’.” Michéle Kerley

“At Clarendon Park, we instill a deep sense of responsibility to make a difference (M.A.D.) in the world, in our pupils. This duty extends from the classroom to South Africa’s beautiful wildlife. We aim to focus on the OLLIMove Baton of Hope initiative over the course of the next twelve months. It is our goal to inspire our pupils to ‘move from caring to doing for our rhino’. We feel excited and privileged to be involved in this collaboration. In Nelson Mandela’s words, ‘We can change the world and make it a better place. It is in your hands to make a difference’.” Lynne Woods

Members of the public can report any suspicious activities around wildlife to the environmental crime hotline which is 0800 205 005 or the SAPS number 10111

One Land Love It NPC uses funds raised through donations to further the fight against wildlife crime. To donate or find out more, visit www.move.oneland.co.za

“Together we can absolutely make a difference – extinction cannot be our legacy!” OLLI If not me, then who – if not now, then when?

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