With hunting season soon to be upon us, it is easy to forget that the seemingly simple act of booking a legal hunting safari, has a profound impact on essential wildlife management in South Africa. Moreover, it significantly influences the social landscape of our rural communities, where education levels are low, and jobs are scarce.
Chris and I are gearing up for our trip to the United States, where we’ll be visiting four states during the month of February. This time of the year is the peak marketing period for us as hunting outfitters. The major hunting shows in America kicks off early January and run through to March. This year, we’re excited to attend meet-and-greet evenings at several homes and businesses hosted by some of our clients and friends, where we’ll showcase what we have to offer. In addition to highlighting the incredible experiences clients can expect when they book a hunting or non-hunting safari with us, we’ll also highlight the various projects we support in the areas in which we hunt. These initiatives include wildlife research, conservation efforts, community development, and philanthropy. Many of our clients visiting from abroad may not be aware of the significant impact their spending can have on these important causes if they choose to get involved.
In today’s world, countless individuals are searching for a purpose. While life is meant to be experienced and enjoyed, it becomes considerably more rewarding when our adventurous pursuits also uplift others. As hunters and thrill-seekers, we find immense bliss in mother nature, which innately leads us to become her custodians. This stewardship is required to ensure all our natural world has to offer will remain intact for us and future generations to enjoy However, the challenge of safeguarding our natural resources is complex, especially in South Africa, where our distinctive model of game ranching demands much more effort to achieve our conservation goals.
We exist among rural communities where understanding the significance of wildlife conservation can be a challenge. For many individuals in these areas, poaching of animals is simply a way to obtain food, education is an unattainable luxury and when faced with the opportunity to trade animals or plants for cash, they may act without giving it much thought. However, within these communities, there are remarkable individuals with big hearts who tirelessly work to create positive change. These passionate people lead initiatives largely supported by volunteers, operating with limited financial means. Their mission is to protect, educate, and empower children and young adults, equipping them with the knowledge and skills to change the trajectory of their families’ futures. Furthermore, substantial efforts are directed towards wildlife research and protection, which requires a lot of resources.
It is not just a privilege for us, it is essential to engage with these programmes in every way possible. We offer our clients the chance to support any of the projects that resonate with them and give them the opportunity to conduct a site visit with us as part of their hunting safari, allowing them to witness the impact of their contributions firsthand. Among these initiatives is the Waterberg Welfare Society, which cares for orphans and vulnerable children while running a youth program focused on skills development and empowerment. They even built a computer centre where IT skills, coding, cyber security and robotics are offered. Another program lead by a man of small stature and a king-sized spirit, called Calvin, is the seedling and food garden project, supported by Waterberg Rhino UK in partnership with the UNESCO Waterberg Biosphere Reserve.
Calvin guides young individuals off the streets and teaches them how to cultivate and sell produce. Some of them even end up being employed at crop farms. Calvin then reinvests profits from these gardens into local schools, by providing educational materials and sanitary products. The Waterberg Wave Community Radio Station is a licenced youth lead community radio station that aims to inform, educate and entertain the local community. Their reach is still small, but they make a big impact. Their radio presenters are trained on-site. The Waterberg Research Support Centre is a registered NPC that provides support in the coordination and collation of research in the Waterberg Bio-Region. There are also several wildlife protection and rehabilitation centres, particularly focused on rhino conservation. The beauty of these projects lies in their management and oversight by NPO’s, ensuring that every cent is accounted for. Each year, you can witness the tangible changes and the positive impact on both people and wildlife. Given the favourable rand-dollar exchange rate, even a contribution of $100 can make a significant difference in South Africa. It could cover a month’s fuel and airtime for a research volunteer, contribute to the funding of solar equipment for the radio broadcasting studio, or provide seeds, overalls, or gardening tools for the food garden projects. Not a single cent is wasted, and in return, you become part of something much larger than yourself. You get to hunt with heart, harvest with pride and leave a legacy while doing so.
