The communities around Kenton-on-Sea have been rooting for rhino by hosting annual events since 2012, inspired by Thandi, a poaching survivor and poster girl from the nearby Kariega Game Reserve. Thandi has inspired thousands of people across the globe to step up rhino conservation efforts, to raise awareness of the plight of the rhino and to raise funds in support of rhino custodians.
A key event on Kenton’s annual tourism calendar is the Rhino Run that has been held every year since 2013. It has always been part of a national event and recently Kenton boasted the largest turnout with more than 1,000 rhino runners and walkers.
Sadly, due to Covid-19 lockdown restrictions, the 2020 event had to be cancelled.
However, a partnership between Sunshine Coast Tourism, Nevertoforgetjourney and Chipembere Rhino Foundation (CRF), under the umbrella of Rooting4Rhino, boldly forged ahead with a fresh approach: hosting several virtual Rhino Runs between September and November 2020. Local runner and Sunshine Coast Tourism representative, Tanya Prinsloo, led the local Sunday runs in Kenton, supported by Carey Webster from Nevertoforgetjourney; and Jo Wilmot from CRF while loyal Johannesburg-based visitors to Kenton, Louise Thompson and friends, arranged a virtual walk in Gauteng and others like Hazel Hoole, donated generously to the event from afar.
This dedication and teamwork not only kept the annual Kenton Rhino Run tradition going virtually, but more than R7,700 was raised for the CRF in support of local anti-poaching units and deployed K9s!
Plans for continuing the project through a series of events over the next 36 months to help raise a targeted R90,000, representing the 9,000 rhino lost to poaching over the past 10 years, are in motion.
For more information, please email Jo Wilmot at jcwilmot@gmail.com
To learn more about Chipembere Rhino Foundation’s key projects please click HERE.